Why you need to marry the right spouse –Chinyere Wilfred .
Veteran actress and producer, Chinyere Wilfred hails from Aguluezechukwu, Anambra State, while her husband hails from Idiato, Imo State. This multi-talented star has played the role of a mother and other roles to the admiration of her fans and this earned her international recognition.
In this exclusive interview, the amiable and beautiful screen goddess, Chinyere was so awesome and it was like we were chatting and not actually working as she was all smiles throughout. She narrated her story which spanned 23years in the movie industry and also went down memory lane about growing up in Ajegunle, among other issues.
Excerpts:
You look extremely beautiful in real life than on the big screen. What’s the secret behind your youthful look?
When you play a particular role to the admiration of your fans and directors, they tend to stereotype your roles. So, they had to tone my complexion and costume for the different roles I played. Most times, I looked old on set playing the role of an old woman and when people close to me watched the movie , they are amazed. Off the screen, you will see the real Chinyere Wilfred. So, acting is not about beauty but interpretations, however, when you have rest of mind it shows in your looks. I am a happy woman, blessed with a thriving career and a lovely family.
Can you describe yourself behind the screen?
You have seen Chinyere Wilfred behind the set, there is nothing more to add to my personality. I am a very happy and friendly person. I love nice friends around me like Phil Daniels here, she is a jolly good fellow. When I’m not working on set, I’m with my family. My son called me from school few minutes ago, to find out which location and job I’m working on and I told him I was in Abuja. Sometimes, my husband might not call me, because he is a very busy person. But my children are always checking on me.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I hail from Aguluezechukwu, Anambra State, while my husband is from Idiato, Imo State. I am happily married to my handsome husband and we are blessed with three lovely boys. Two among my children are in the university and my last child is still in secondary school.
How old is your first child?
My first child, Chukwudi, is 21 years old and Emeka is my second child. He’s 19 years old and my third son is 17 years old.
How long have you been married?
We have been married for over 21 years now. Though there is no marriage without challenges, but our love for each other has kept us going with the grace of God. My husband is a blessing to the family. I love him for his truthfulness and straight-forward lifestyle. He has never lied to me and that’s among reasons our marriage is sizzling hot.
What about your siblings and parents?
I have a lovely father and a wonderful mother. We are seven children in the family, though we lost some of my siblings. We are now four girls and three boys. I am a twin and my twin sister lives in Warri. She is a very quiet person and I’m an extrovert. Her name is Cordelia Mojeku and she has five children. As a matter of fact, she delivered twins twice and a single child. In fact, she is my best friend. Regardless of my tight schedules as an actress, I always make out time to communicate with her.
Are you identical twins?
Yes.When you see us together you will easily know we are twins, because we resemble each other. Also we are very close and we share a lot together. She’s my confidant.
What was your childhood like?
(Laughter). This question you are asking me, no journalist has ever asked me before.
But, there is no way you will forget your roots even as a star?
(Smiles). Honestly, I wouldn’t lie about it, because of my personality today. Nkechi, I don’t know how to answer this question (laughter). It’s my personal life.
Answer it anyhow and we will understand…
Well, I grew up in a family of 10 children and our parents. Though, we lost three among my siblings, we grew up in love and the bond has kept us united till date.
Where exactly did you grow up?
We grew up in Ajegunle, popularly known as AJ (laughter). I am very proud to be associated as a brand from my root.
Please share some of your fond memories growing up in the ghetto?
It was fun because we ate from the same plate unlike what some parents do these days, serving food in different plates for their children. Eating from the same plate honestly creates a bond among siblings at childhood. We didn’t grow up from a poor background. Our father had a Peugeot 504 car that conveyed us to school daily. In fact, we were the envy of most kids within our vicinity because of our parents’ status. My father was a disciplinarian. We hardly associated with other children, our parents taught us to play among ourselves, since we were 10. I haven’t visited Wilmer for years now but I hope to shoot a movie there for old times sake and I believe God for where I am still going in the future.
You just talked about shooting a movie in Ajegunle, would it be your first movie?
No! I have produced a lot of movies. I have produced movies like Legend, Desperate House Wife, Widows Tears and Not My Mission, which was shot in the United Kingdom and yet to be released. I have also produced a soap opera which is yet to be aired titled Family Floors. Hopefully it will be a hit. There is another movie also produced and shot by me titled Affliction of the Righteous.
What has life taught you?
Life has taught me to tolerate and understand people, regardless of our differences.
Have you ever found yourself playing a role you have actually experienced in life?
Most of the roles I play don’t have anything to do with my real life experiences. Of all the roles I have played as wife, a mother who was being maltreated by her children and a glamour girl non has anything to do with Chinyere Wilfred.
In your 23 years as an actress, how many movies have you featured in so far?
I have done over 150 movies and still counting and some are yet to be released into the market.
Which are your most challenging and favourite roles ?
My most challenging role is as a widow who trained her daughter and afterwards, she abandoned and denied her mother in the presence of people in wages. It’s a true life story that has a lot of family values to teach our young ones.
You are a notable figure in the movie industry and admired by fans all over the world for your creativity. How did it all start?
My foray into motion pictures started in 1992 when I attended an audition at Zeb Ejiro’ s office for a role in a popular soap opera, titled Ripples. I also featured in another soap opera, though I can’t recall the title now. Thereafter, I featured in Taboo which was my first movie breakthrough. I also starred in Dirty Deal among the early movies in the ‘90s. In fact, it wasn’t easy then, because I had to undergo so many auditions to get roles, unlike the practice today in the industry for budding actors.
You have so many movies to your credit, which among them brought you to limelight?
It’s Taboo which was released in 1992. Though, I have starred in other movies till date, but Taboo gave me recognition when I played Janet the king’s third wife.
Could you share some of the testimonies you have recorded as a star?
(Laughter) It has opened doors for me in different ways. As a star, when you walk into any organisation and people are queuing for attention, once you are recognised, you get attention. It has brought me so many good things of life.
Have you ever had an embarrassing moment from fans?
(smiles) Fans sometimes walk up to you when you are not really in a nice mood to say hello or take photographs and if you don’t put on a fake smile, they rudely say to you “Chinyere , I am greeting you nah, what is it? All these actors are like that” They don’t care about what the person is going through at that moment. Anyway, my fans are wonderful people and I appreciate them for keeping me in the market.
Were you married before you started acting?
Though I met my husband before my foray into the movie industry, we got married after shooting Taboo in 1992 and that movie gave me so much recognition as an actress.
What’s your assessment of Nollywood past and present?
A lot has changed in the entertainment sector, especially the technical area of movie making and I believe soon we will be competing with the international bodies. It’s the first time in the history of Nigerian entertainment industry that the government is supporting the industry. Nollywood is proud to be associated with this present administration for all its support to make the industry world class.
Some celebrity marriages have crashed. How have you been sustaining your marriage?
Honestly, the glory goes to God, because we can’t do it alone, but His grace and mercies have seen us through in our marital life. Christ is the rock behind the success of my marriage.
Besides, it’s not just celebrity marriages that couldn’t stand the test of time, so many marriages have crashed. It’s because some people go into marriage for different reasons and they end up marrying the wrong spouse and divorce since there is lack of understanding and love. My husband is God-sent and has been very supportive of my career. He cares a lot about me.
What’s your advice for a young spinster searching for Mr. Right?
Every young girl seems to be in a hurry to get married. I dated my husband for over seven years before we got married in 1992. You shouldn’t rush into marriage, because it’s a lifetime commitment. When you meet Mr.
Right, you will know, you don’t need a soothsayer to convince you about compatibility. Sincerely, courtship is essential to have a sustainable marriage. It gives you the opportunity to study your spouse, but these days, our youth say love is blind or it’s love at first sight and before you say Jack Robinson, they are divorced.
How would you describe your style?
Dressing classy and elegant makes me feel comfortable and happy. I love nice fashion accessories and designer perfumes.
Source : Sun News
Veteran actress and producer, Chinyere Wilfred hails from Aguluezechukwu, Anambra State, while her husband hails from Idiato, Imo State. This multi-talented star has played the role of a mother and other roles to the admiration of her fans and this earned her international recognition.
In this exclusive interview, the amiable and beautiful screen goddess, Chinyere was so awesome and it was like we were chatting and not actually working as she was all smiles throughout. She narrated her story which spanned 23years in the movie industry and also went down memory lane about growing up in Ajegunle, among other issues.
Excerpts:
You look extremely beautiful in real life than on the big screen. What’s the secret behind your youthful look?
When you play a particular role to the admiration of your fans and directors, they tend to stereotype your roles. So, they had to tone my complexion and costume for the different roles I played. Most times, I looked old on set playing the role of an old woman and when people close to me watched the movie , they are amazed. Off the screen, you will see the real Chinyere Wilfred. So, acting is not about beauty but interpretations, however, when you have rest of mind it shows in your looks. I am a happy woman, blessed with a thriving career and a lovely family.
Can you describe yourself behind the screen?
You have seen Chinyere Wilfred behind the set, there is nothing more to add to my personality. I am a very happy and friendly person. I love nice friends around me like Phil Daniels here, she is a jolly good fellow. When I’m not working on set, I’m with my family. My son called me from school few minutes ago, to find out which location and job I’m working on and I told him I was in Abuja. Sometimes, my husband might not call me, because he is a very busy person. But my children are always checking on me.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I hail from Aguluezechukwu, Anambra State, while my husband is from Idiato, Imo State. I am happily married to my handsome husband and we are blessed with three lovely boys. Two among my children are in the university and my last child is still in secondary school.
How old is your first child?
My first child, Chukwudi, is 21 years old and Emeka is my second child. He’s 19 years old and my third son is 17 years old.
How long have you been married?
We have been married for over 21 years now. Though there is no marriage without challenges, but our love for each other has kept us going with the grace of God. My husband is a blessing to the family. I love him for his truthfulness and straight-forward lifestyle. He has never lied to me and that’s among reasons our marriage is sizzling hot.
What about your siblings and parents?
I have a lovely father and a wonderful mother. We are seven children in the family, though we lost some of my siblings. We are now four girls and three boys. I am a twin and my twin sister lives in Warri. She is a very quiet person and I’m an extrovert. Her name is Cordelia Mojeku and she has five children. As a matter of fact, she delivered twins twice and a single child. In fact, she is my best friend. Regardless of my tight schedules as an actress, I always make out time to communicate with her.
Are you identical twins?
Yes.When you see us together you will easily know we are twins, because we resemble each other. Also we are very close and we share a lot together. She’s my confidant.
What was your childhood like?
(Laughter). This question you are asking me, no journalist has ever asked me before.
But, there is no way you will forget your roots even as a star?
(Smiles). Honestly, I wouldn’t lie about it, because of my personality today. Nkechi, I don’t know how to answer this question (laughter). It’s my personal life.
Answer it anyhow and we will understand…
Well, I grew up in a family of 10 children and our parents. Though, we lost three among my siblings, we grew up in love and the bond has kept us united till date.
Where exactly did you grow up?
We grew up in Ajegunle, popularly known as AJ (laughter). I am very proud to be associated as a brand from my root.
Please share some of your fond memories growing up in the ghetto?
It was fun because we ate from the same plate unlike what some parents do these days, serving food in different plates for their children. Eating from the same plate honestly creates a bond among siblings at childhood. We didn’t grow up from a poor background. Our father had a Peugeot 504 car that conveyed us to school daily. In fact, we were the envy of most kids within our vicinity because of our parents’ status. My father was a disciplinarian. We hardly associated with other children, our parents taught us to play among ourselves, since we were 10. I haven’t visited Wilmer for years now but I hope to shoot a movie there for old times sake and I believe God for where I am still going in the future.
You just talked about shooting a movie in Ajegunle, would it be your first movie?
No! I have produced a lot of movies. I have produced movies like Legend, Desperate House Wife, Widows Tears and Not My Mission, which was shot in the United Kingdom and yet to be released. I have also produced a soap opera which is yet to be aired titled Family Floors. Hopefully it will be a hit. There is another movie also produced and shot by me titled Affliction of the Righteous.
What has life taught you?
Life has taught me to tolerate and understand people, regardless of our differences.
Have you ever found yourself playing a role you have actually experienced in life?
Most of the roles I play don’t have anything to do with my real life experiences. Of all the roles I have played as wife, a mother who was being maltreated by her children and a glamour girl non has anything to do with Chinyere Wilfred.
In your 23 years as an actress, how many movies have you featured in so far?
I have done over 150 movies and still counting and some are yet to be released into the market.
Which are your most challenging and favourite roles ?
My most challenging role is as a widow who trained her daughter and afterwards, she abandoned and denied her mother in the presence of people in wages. It’s a true life story that has a lot of family values to teach our young ones.
You are a notable figure in the movie industry and admired by fans all over the world for your creativity. How did it all start?
My foray into motion pictures started in 1992 when I attended an audition at Zeb Ejiro’ s office for a role in a popular soap opera, titled Ripples. I also featured in another soap opera, though I can’t recall the title now. Thereafter, I featured in Taboo which was my first movie breakthrough. I also starred in Dirty Deal among the early movies in the ‘90s. In fact, it wasn’t easy then, because I had to undergo so many auditions to get roles, unlike the practice today in the industry for budding actors.
You have so many movies to your credit, which among them brought you to limelight?
It’s Taboo which was released in 1992. Though, I have starred in other movies till date, but Taboo gave me recognition when I played Janet the king’s third wife.
Could you share some of the testimonies you have recorded as a star?
(Laughter) It has opened doors for me in different ways. As a star, when you walk into any organisation and people are queuing for attention, once you are recognised, you get attention. It has brought me so many good things of life.
Have you ever had an embarrassing moment from fans?
(smiles) Fans sometimes walk up to you when you are not really in a nice mood to say hello or take photographs and if you don’t put on a fake smile, they rudely say to you “Chinyere , I am greeting you nah, what is it? All these actors are like that” They don’t care about what the person is going through at that moment. Anyway, my fans are wonderful people and I appreciate them for keeping me in the market.
Were you married before you started acting?
Though I met my husband before my foray into the movie industry, we got married after shooting Taboo in 1992 and that movie gave me so much recognition as an actress.
What’s your assessment of Nollywood past and present?
A lot has changed in the entertainment sector, especially the technical area of movie making and I believe soon we will be competing with the international bodies. It’s the first time in the history of Nigerian entertainment industry that the government is supporting the industry. Nollywood is proud to be associated with this present administration for all its support to make the industry world class.
Some celebrity marriages have crashed. How have you been sustaining your marriage?
Honestly, the glory goes to God, because we can’t do it alone, but His grace and mercies have seen us through in our marital life. Christ is the rock behind the success of my marriage.
Besides, it’s not just celebrity marriages that couldn’t stand the test of time, so many marriages have crashed. It’s because some people go into marriage for different reasons and they end up marrying the wrong spouse and divorce since there is lack of understanding and love. My husband is God-sent and has been very supportive of my career. He cares a lot about me.
What’s your advice for a young spinster searching for Mr. Right?
Every young girl seems to be in a hurry to get married. I dated my husband for over seven years before we got married in 1992. You shouldn’t rush into marriage, because it’s a lifetime commitment. When you meet Mr.
Right, you will know, you don’t need a soothsayer to convince you about compatibility. Sincerely, courtship is essential to have a sustainable marriage. It gives you the opportunity to study your spouse, but these days, our youth say love is blind or it’s love at first sight and before you say Jack Robinson, they are divorced.
How would you describe your style?
Dressing classy and elegant makes me feel comfortable and happy. I love nice fashion accessories and designer perfumes.
Source : Sun News
