Goodness Uchendu is one of the new faces in Nollywood. She started acting four years ago and has featured in a number of movies. In this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI, Uchendu, an undergraduate of Abia State Polytechnic, talks on why she joined Nollywood, her challenges and plans to make her marriage one of the best the industry has ever seen.
WHAT made you embrace Nollywood?
I embraced the Nigerian movie industry because I could see good things coming out from it. Also, I want to have a strong name that can make me free some people from the prison yard. I am also out to help the less privileged and orphans.
A lot of innocent people are in prisons looking for someone to free them. I understand what it means to have a well-known name and good background that can influence the government to free some innocent people from detention.
What are some of those challenges you have faced so far?
My biggest challenge so far as an actress in the industry was the day I was on set with my senior colleagues; I felt too nervous.
What do you think has been your selling point?
(Laughs) My selling point?That sounds so funny.What do you think are my selling points, apart from my beautiful face and boobs?
How far do you intend to pursue your career?
I really want to go far in the industry by walking towards the area that others will not dare. I want to be like Mercy Johnson and Queen Nwaokoye. These people are very good; they can interpret their roles very well. But I want to go farther than they have done, by the special grace of God.
Do you have any plans to break into Hollywood?
I have a dream to become a Hollywood actress one day. I prefer watching their movies to Nigerian films. It keeps making me better each time I watch it. Their stories are quite different, especially the action-packed flicks. They look real. I dream to become one of them. Not only do I want to become a Hollywood actress, but I also intend to own an international fashion house because I am very creative with graphics designs.
Talking about inner beauty, what is it about you apart from what we see, physically?
My inner beauty (laughs)? I have a good character and I also love helping people too. Also, the fear of God is one thing that few people possess. I have that and I like to mingle with intelligent people who think positively.
So far, who has been your biggest influence in life?
The person who has influenced my life so far is my Pastor, Rev. (Dr.) Sign Fireman. The first day I was in his church was during the Actors’ Week under the leadership of Emeka Rising Ibeh, the former chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Lagos State Chapter. After listening to his teaching, my life has never remained the same.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I have received so far is the one my mother gave me. She is full of love and her advice has never been in vain. It has been the best I have received so far. May God bless and keep her for me.
As an actress, are you not scared that most famous actresses either don’t get married in time or their marriages don’t last?
You are mistaken about actors not getting married in time and also not being able to manage their homes. People do mistake the whole thing.Late marriage can happen to anybody, not only actors. It depends on how you build your home.
So, getting married means that you are ready to face all the responsibilities that come with it. It’s not good to jump into marriage because your friend has gone into it. Marriage is supposed to be an everlasting thing. I personally want to build my home well. My marriage will be the best that other people will learn from. It will be a blessing to my family and to the world. In fact, I can’t wait for the day I will say ‘Yes, I do’.
What kind of man are you attracted to?
The man I’m attracted to must be a Christian and have the fear of God. Also, he must have a desire to give. He must also have a good character and beautiful face (laughs). This is because whenever I am sad, I can easily smile again when I look at his face.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done in a movie?
The craziest thing I have done in the movie was when I was given a role of a ‘ghetto madam’ who teaches girls how to prostitute. I was like, what will people think of me after playing the role? I enjoyed playing the role anyway because it was another way to minister to those people who make a living out of that trade.
What has life taught you over the years and how has it been of benefit to you?
Life has taught me a lot. It has taught me to be respectful, be focused and not to trust any man but to believe only in God. And in a way, God has been using me to bless people through my visions. I’m a computer instructor. In my class, students call me a marriage counselor, not because I am too perfect.It is a gift; I do teach singles and married people what marriage is all about too.
What does the word sex means to you?
Sex is good. Without it, you cannot have beautiful children. Sex makes every human to feel good.
What stands you out from other up-and-coming actresses?
It is a personal issue. Nothing much really stands me out from other budding actresses. But when we find ourselves on locations, we will try to prove to one another that we are perfect.
How many movies have you starred in so far?
The ones I can still remember are: In the Cupboard, Ceremonial Crime, Gang To Gang, Emmanuel, Comfort Zone, Campus Party and others.
What do you have to say to those clamouring to be actors too?
The thing I will like to share with up-and-coming actors is that they have to pay their dues first, go to auditions and accept that not every production pays. Having patience is very important. They shouldn’t be too desperate to act; they should wait for God’s time because it is the best. It may take time. They shouldn’t be easily deceived by some producers/directors making them stars by paying in kind or buying scripts. They can buy script, but they cannot interpret what is inside it.
What is your reason for joining Nollywood?
For me, it is the easiest way to minister to people. The Bible says, ‘Go into the world and preach the gospel.’ There are many ways to preach the gospel. It can also be through acting movies.What we act doesn’t mean it is our real life character. It is somebody’s story.
My advice to budding actresses is for them to make sure that they don’t depend solely on acting. They should make sure they have something doing; a business that gives them money; otherwise, they will be frustrated, especially in the area of going to auditions. For instance, I do other things that bring me money, like giving computer lessons, modelling and acting. All these do keep me going. Actresses should not compare themselves to their fellow artistes; otherwise, they will have problems.
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