Celebrated Nollywood actress, Christy Okonkwo, massively called Ebeano, on stage, remains one of the few cross over players in the Nigerian movie concern. A bi-linguist, she has been using this to feather her career which started with the church stage drama, Yoruba movies; graduating to the English language productions.

In this close-up with News Express Contributing Editor IFECHI OKOH, the ageless actress opened up on how it all started, taking us through her titillating professional challenges, why no Producer, Director and Marketer has seen her pant, insisting that she doesn't mind the consequences of not hopping onto beds. All these, she laid bare like somebody who believes in the mercies and miracles of Almighty God. Enjoy it!

Who is Christy Okonkwo (a.k.a Ebeano) beyond Nollywood?

Christy Okonkwo, beyond the screen, is first and foremost, an actress. I hail from Issele-Uku in Delta State and happily married with children. In Nollywood and outside it, colleagues and fans call me Madam Ebeano. That was the name Charly Boy gave me while I was on his show back in the days. I must confess that the show opened doors for me.

Can you recollect what your childhood dream was and how you actualized it?

My childhood dream incidentally was to become an actress. I thank God for stamping the dream at last. I remember as a kid, I was infatuated at the sight of any showbiz celebrity, believing one day to be that celebrity. Thank God, that dream has played out at last to the glory of God as I am also a celebrity to be looked up to as children’s role model.

During my early days’ professional outings, I took part in the just revived Village Headmaster series. I must not fail to confess here that my interest in Indian films and late Pa Ogunde’s films, played major role in my evolution. Honestly! I am one of the few professionals in Nollywood of today, who honestly believe in the God first philosophy in all my dealings with producers, directors and marketers. I have since learnt that once you put God first in whatever you do in life, other things fall in place naturally because of the intervention and direction of God. For the sustenance of this, you must be prayerful at all times. Oh yes! If you find time, you pray, Goodwill find time to answer. Finish!

When did your romance with acting start and from where?

It all began in 1996 with a Yoruba group simply called the Meiran caucus, headed by a celebrated Yoruba movie producer, Oloye Ajere (a.k.a Bata Wahala). I started my career with Yoruba movies because of my yearnings for stage acting which was actually the in thing then. From stage, I moved over to the English language movies. During this time out, I was always involved in my Church’s drama thing. So, I was a kind of shuttling between the English, Yoruba and church drama productions. It was not actually easy, but my conviction and determination that I must make headway, encouraged me to brave the apparent challenges.

Can you remember your first English language producer, director and how much you were paid?

My first English movie was the “Scavenger”, which featured some top actors/actresses. It was directed by the no-nonsense director, Andy Amanechi. As for how much I was paid, it’s nobody’s business. That’s what I think!

Were you at any time tempted to attract jobs with your natural charm like most pretty colleagues?

Me? No way! God forbid!! I will be the last person to be involved in such an unholy act. I have never been constrained to and will never ever be in Jesus name. Amen!

How can I tow such line of my contemporaries whose staying power revolves round and rest on that nonsense?

Their dress code remains the genesis of attraction which paves way and encourage always those loose producers, directors and marketers who presides over productions to make passes at them, promising to give them the juiciest part of that production, provided you hop onto their beds. I can swear that till date, no producer, director and marketer has seen my pant. I will be the last person to hop onto anybody's bed for whatever reason or reasons. I don't mind to suffer the consequences of my action.

Update news