UPCOMING NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS REVEALS SHE CANNOT DATE A POOR MAN

INTERVIEW WITH NAOMI EMMANUEL

Fast rising actress, Naomi Emmanuel, cut her teeth on the set of Clinic Matters where she played the role of Nurse Titi. Today she has starred in over a dozen movies and her profile continues to rise in Nollywood. The actress recently took time out to give back to the less
privileged when she visited orphanages in Lagos as part of her birthday celebrations. In this interview with The Entertainer, Naomi opens up on her career, her ideal man and other interesting issues.

Excerpt:

What inspired you to celebrate your last birthday at an orphanage?

All my life my birthdays have being about drinking and having fun with friends and family. But this time around I wanted something different. I was like ‘why can`t I celebrate with the less privileged ones by giving them hope that there are still people out there who care for them?’ I decided to celebrate with them in other for God to keep on blessing me even as I bless others.

What lessons have you learnt from the experience?

I will be very candid. This is the second place we are visiting today. The first was the Pacelli School For The Blind. I had every reason to thank God for giving me the opportunity to see, walk and hear after I experienced firsthand, what these inmates go through. At The Heart of Gold Hospice, some children couldn’t even sit or stand. Some are down with debilitating illness and I was moved to tears. I have been touched in a very special way. I just can’t wait to go on my knees and thank God for what I have.

Life has taught me to be good to people, close to God and to be thankful always because you do not know what you have until you see people in need. Most times it’s good to visit them because that’s when you realise you have every reason to go back to God in thanksgiving. Life has really taught me to be humble, persistent, cheerful and to share with people; life has taught me to be prayerful and be thankful to God.

How did you feel when the kids sang for you?

Wow! They almost made me cry again. The kids were just singing out their hearts without seeing who they were singing for. I felt for them and right now I am so glad all of this is happening on my birthday.

Beyond today, do you have any plans of coming back here?

If I have my way I will be back here tomorrow and then I would come here every day for the rest of my life. I eat three square meals every day. If I can give these children one and eat only two, I will not die. Coming out here every day to give these kids my breakfast would be my greatest joy.

Do you have any dream of having an NGO or a foundation?

Yes and that’s because it has been one of my dreams. 

What projects are you currently working on?

I am still on my movies. I did a movie in Accra, Ghana, three weeks ago which stars Jackie Appia, Prince David Ossai and some other Ghanaian actors. It was fun working with them. That is my second job in Ghana and they were happy seeing me around and made sure I felt at home and comfortable. When I was leaving they were sad but I believe they would probably come to Nigeria sooner or later.

Which is the most challenging movie you’ve starred in?

There is this newly released movie of mine entitled Mission To The Grave, which was shot in Owerri, Imo State. It was quite challenging because we shot it in the forest and there was a part that I had to shoot with live snakes. 

As an actress what are the challenges that you are having right now?

From the time I started back in the day till now it has not been easy. There are so many talents out there so there is a lot of competition. Asides, I have passion for acting so I just have to keep stepping up my game.

Talking about being professional, can you act a mad or a nude role?

Being professional by going nude is something I can’t do. Do you know what going nude means? It means going braless, going without pants and being stark naked. So the question is, ‘what am I protecting for my husband to see when eventually I get married?’ But as I said in my earlier interview, I can go on bikini for a swim.

There was the story of this actress who won an award just because she was able to act nude. Could you go to that extent?

Going by my background I am a Christian and where I come from, my people would not appreciate it. I am so conscious of what I do because I am trying to preach a message to people, which is not for them to go nude. There are ways I could act that role without being nude and still pass the same message.

Do you mean that if you are heavily paid to play that role you won’t accept?

No prize could push me into playing such a role.

You just came back from Ghana. What was your experience there?

As I said earlier, right from the airport, Ghanaians liked me and kept showing me love throughout my stay. 

Didn’t you get any love advances from there?

Well, I just went there to do my job after which I returned home.

So, no Ghanaian guy admired you or had interest in you?

They might have done that behind me but I don’t know; it did not come to my notice.

How friendly were they?

They were so friendly to the extent that they always took me out when I was not shooting. I had fun, everything I wanted was there for me; I lacked nothing.

Now that you are celebrating your birthday, I guess the right man is here already waiting in the background?

When the right man comes we would know.

What is keeping the right man?

God, but when he comes you all will hear of it I assure you. 

What kind of guy are you looking out for?

My ideal man should of course be handsome, tall, dark, God fearing, caring, loving, and rich enough to take good care of me.

Does that mean that average guys like us cannot come for you?

I have not said so. What I mean is that you must be rich enough to take care of me. Now that does not mean you must have excess money. If you are comfortable, at least, that’s good enough.

Why can’t you date an average guy?

It’s because it’s not just possible. How do I maintain myself? If I were not looking good would you come close to me?

Are you trying to say that it takes money to maintain love?

No, it does not but at least, you should be up and doing because money and love go together.

So money must be involved?

Yes.

So if God decides to give you someone that is not as rich as your expectations, what would happen?

God cannot give me what is not my heart’s desire.

What determines your fashion sense?

My mood determines that. Today is my birthday so when I woke up this morning I decided to go for something casual.

What part of your anatomy do you treasure most?

My legs because I love to wear short dresses and crossing my legs.

What is the sexiest part of your body?

I don’t know, you should be able to tell me that.

What’s your take on boob’s enlargements to attract men?

I don’t like it. I don’t think I would feel comfortable with such because it’s all about living a fake life. I think I just like myself the way I am.

What’s the craziest thing a fan ever did to you?

They love me and send me messages and gifts. There was this fan whom I haven’t met but who was always sending me airtime every weekend. I told him I appreciated him but begged him to stop.

How did you feel kissing a guy for the first time on set?

Kissing a guy was just like a normal act because there was no passion in it.

Have you kissed a guy on set and longed to kiss him again?

No.