For more than a decade, Princess Nnenna Orji thrilled the nation as a kid actor. With fame and fortune in her ante, she almost lost herself in the flashiness of it all. Today, she is grateful to her parents for being her guiding lights. In this interview, the graduate of Nnamdi Azikwe University narrates her experiences as a child actor and reveals her plans to climb back to the top of the industry’s ladder. Excepts!
How did you venture into acting?
I have always had acting in mind, even while I was young. Most times when I am in the house, I just look at myself in the mirror and start talking to myself. I do a lot of stuff in the house and people think that I am crazy. They didn’t know that I was trying to discover myself. I was trying to discover my talent. I have watched so many people act and I have always dreamt of going into acting. Then one day, I accompanied my sister to the theatre for an audition because she was also into acting. I just decided to follow her. There and then, I started demonstrating and talking to her about something that I saw, not knowing that I was in the middle of an audition, and a producer shouted at me that, why was I not in school. What was I doing there at that particular time and I was wondering why the man was shouting at me, suddenly everyone started clapping and the next thing I heard was ‘congratulations, this is the best person for this work’. I didn’t even know that it was an audition. I just got there and they gave me a script to read. I read it and I passed and that was how I started acting.
What was your first movie?
My first movie was ‘Unfaithful’. How old were you at that time? I was 10-years-old.
What was your selling point as a child actor?
My selling point as a child (actor) was my boldness. I had favour from God and I think I am beautiful. The most important thing is favour from God.
Did your parents try to discourage you from acting?
Not at all, my dad and mum have always supported me. In fact, they were the ones that gave me confidence. They always pray for me because they believe that’s what I have always wanted to do. Although, at the earlier stage, they thought I was mad looking in the mirror and doing my thing. But with time, they understood that it’s something I love, it’s my passion. So, they supported me from the beginning.
At what point did you decide to go back to school, what prompted you to leave the industry despite the fame you had? It was when I was in SS3. Prior to then, I missed my Junior WAEC exams because I was shooting and my dad wasn’t happy about it. I almost missed my senior WAEC and it was at that point my dad had to sit me down and told me education was important. At first, I thought he was killing my career, but I had a rethink about it. So, he called a family meeting and talked to me and everybody agreed that I had to go to school. They said if I came back with flying colours, I was free to pursue my acting career. It was at that time I decided to stop acting. My dad was actually scared I would turn a dropout, because I was no longer going to school, I was always on set.
What movie brought you to limelight?
It was Virgin’s Curse. I love the character; it was a lovely character where I grew up to be Regina Daniel’s mom. Yes, it was an amazing character. I did another one, Mr. Lecturer with the same producer, because it was a back-to-back movie. And in that one I acted as a good (church) girl in the university, a girl who’s always not reading but depends on the Holy Spirit to give her answers to exams.
What are you currently work ing on?
I’m working on producing my own movie, and I just started off with my clothing line called ‘Prom culture’.
How does it feel coming back to the industry after you left to acquire degree?
It feels very exciting. The industry has always been a home for me even when I’m not there. Taking a break from the industry is the best thing that ever happened to me, although coming back was not easy, it takes God’s grace. I had to go around reminding them that I am back.
Tell us your most challenging movie you have done recently?
My most challenging movie is also my most recent because I had to switch to a different person entirely. It is titled, ‘Rough diamond.’
Who do you consider your role model in the industry?
For me, it is Genevieve Nnaji, she’s the actress I will really love to work with because she’s no longer thinking Nollywood, she has gone Hollywood. Another actress I’ll love to work with is Adesua Etomi, I admire her so much.
Which fond memory do you miss as a kid actor?
I will always say its childhood because the kind of money and fame I got then is really interesting, but I can’t go back because you have to keep moving forward.
If you to compare the industry now and then as a kid, what has changed?
The industry is much better now than before. A lot of things, new competition, different faces. It is really competitive now, but I think the only person you should compete with is yourself because that is who you really need to work on. Once you start competing with another person hate is bound to set in.
