People started taking note of Nse Ikpe –Etim after her role as Ramsey Nouah’s wife in Reloaded. And just when fans were still catching their breath, she played another pulsating role in Guilty Pleasure. As it is now, Nse is making her mark in the almost over crowded Nollywood and we find her irresistible, hence this interview.

Nse Ikpe Etim

How does it feel to live in Abuja and be amongst the top ten actresses in Lagos?
It’s the grace of God ; though I am living far away from the hub of Nollywood, I am still recognized. Somehow, I have been lucky enough to be called upon when there is a new movie. If I’m fit for a role, I would be called. If not, other actresses would do it.

How did you get your role in Reloaded?
It was practically imposed on me by Emem Isong and I am thankful to her because if she didn’t do it, I probably wouldn’t have been considered for acting again. She went on and on, telling me I could do it and I went in there and I did what I had to do.

Was it your first?
Yes, after a decade.

Where were you?
I was in a different industry. I was into banking, I was also in the Media, and into fashion as well. I did a lot of things, sometimes I can’t even remember everything.

Why were you jumping from one place to the other?
Like they say, when you go through fire, the outcome is always beautiful, just like a piece of gold.

Why did you leave in the first place?
To go and get beautiful ( Laughs)

But then, a lot of people would have given all they had to get into Nollywood, why did you leave?
I think when you are trying to discover yourself, you are constantly searching for yourself and when you are doing that, you want to be satisfied with whatever you are doing. It’s not new to move from place to place but at the end, what you achieve is greater because it is then you’ll know what you want and your worth.

Sometimes, people ask, why am I here? It is a question everyman should ask himself… why am I on earth? Is it just to be an actor or a presenter? I can confidently stand and talk to anyone from any industry because I have been everywhere.

Have you found what you are looking for in acting?
Yes and it is quite satisfying. I found it and I am enjoying it immensely.

Where are you from?
Akwa Ibom. I am Edidiong.

Is there a bit of Omotse, your role in Guilty Pleasure in you?
I think there is a bit of it in almost everybody. If you try some people and they don’t respond, the day they’ll respond, you won’t believe it. So, there is always a point people get to and they can no longer hold it… they just spill it out. So, that was the challenge Omotse had . She was tired of her ever-busy husband and the best way of handling matters no longer mattered. We were only trying to repeat what happens, it has nothing to do with my person. I think all I did was to become the character at a point in time.

Why are you always acting the role of a disadvantaged housewife?
Do you think being an housewife is an advantage? I don’t think so. I’m glad you’ll agree with me that the woman didn’t go out of her way to cheat on her husband, something pushed her to it. I don’t know why I’m always playing that part, or why I was chosen to play that part. If I delivered, I am glad.

Can you do some of the things you did in Guilty Pleasure in real life? Like, if you don’t get what you want from your husband, can you go outside to get it?
Since I have never been married, it will be hard to put myself in her shoes right now and imagine it. So, when I get married, I can answer your question.

Not even ‘I can never!’ or ‘I will never!’ why?
You see, when you say words like, I can never do it and you finally did one day, people will criticize you and call you all sorts of names. I am not saying I am going to do it but my saying ‘never’ is not a good thing. I will pray to God to direct my steps and not to cheat on my husband. It’s the only way. I will pray for him not to go astray because he’s human.

Do you believe men can be faithful?
Yes. I believe that the man who knows God can be faithful. It is a tough course because there are too many beautiful women. I pity men, but yes, they can be faithful and it’s happening.

Are you saying a man can be married for 20 years and not cheat?
Yes, it is possible. The thing is, we do not examine ourselves enough to know how far we can go.

Have you ever had a very faithful boyfriend?
Yes. This is what I have grown to believe… he and he only can tell you the truth but what I believe is that he was faithful.

Does your belief measure up to 100 percent?
Once, I believe a person, I believe him.

Do you believe that women can be faithful?
Yes, I think we have a better threshold to hold on than men. It is more difficult for men but easier for women… plus a woman needs an excuse to cheat, a man doesn’t.

Have you ever had an excuse to cheat?
Like I said, I won’t answer this question until I am married.

What’s happening with you and Fred Amata?
I once granted an interview about Jetta Amata, the producer and director of Amazing Grace. They’ve been my friends for over 13 years. In fact, when he introduces my sister to people, he says “that is my best-friend’s sister”. I was shocked when I read in the paper that because a campaign was run for a colleague, Fred Amata when he was in Celebrity Takes 2 that I was dating him .

Even Yemi Blaq sent me a massage to vote for him and to canvass for votes for him . I felt bad because I couldn’t even reply that text massage telling him that, I am sorry I can’t do anything for you on Facebook, my manager is already using Facebook for Fred. After all that support, a national newspaper decided to mention that I have been dating Fred Amata for over 13 years and I mentioned it to them. I don’t even have Fred Amata’s number. I was looking for Fred’s number thinking that was it possible for that newspaper to have sent me his number?

Why did you campaign for Fred?
My manager campaigned for Fred and she asked for my permission and I told her that Fred was my friend, and truly, he is. He is one of those people that wanted me back in the industry and I would say I am in the bank. They used to feel bad about it. I think publicity is a good thing, at least they are putting my name in their paper.

But a lot of people thought you and Jetta were dating, is this true?
He’s a good man ( Laughs), but we never dated. Ubong is my good friend, I can’t deny that. Do you also remember that he did a job in Benue state that I wasn’t part of? That’s what friendship is but if he was my boyfriend, I must be there.

How was growing up?
I grew up like every other normal kid. It was fun though… I grew up around Nigeria. I was in Zaria at a time. I attended the Federal Government College, Ilorin. I furthered my education at the University of Calabar and I have a Bachelor of Arts in theater arts. I used to have a TV show many years ago.

You seem to be restless. Why?
No, not that. I have also worked in different radio stations and even had a programme that was aired round the country. I also went into banking to prove a point to my mother. My mom, though was supportive in every way, wondered why I chose the career I chose and she thought I wasn’t stable. So, what I did was to go into banking for a year and a half. It was interesting and granted me a bit of stability which I think still works for me till date. “If I no get money, I no fit die”.

I have been exposed to the intricacies of these things. It is not working hard, it is working smart and other things like that. I went into fashion as well, but it is amazing that I always run from what I love to do best which is cooking. A friend of mine kept insisting that I should take it up as a business and I still thank her for that word of encouragement. Now, I review, I write, and I am into catering. I am acting too. All these things are artistically inclined.

Aside Guilty Pleasure have you been getting more jobs?
Umm, yes we have been doing fine.

Recently?
Yes, I just finished Spiral Band with Emem Isong. You see the thing is about the story. I’ve always said I’m not going to do this kind of job, I’m not going to do this I’m not going to do that. I want to be like this, I want to be like that , but hey it’s Nollywood.

Let me quickly ask you about Guilty Pleasure. It is as if your life depended on it . What’s your take on that?
It did. So we acted well; thank you. (Both laugh)

An actress whose name I won’t mention once said to The Sun that sometimes if “you’re on set especially for a week or two and had to play a romantic role you’re like sexually aroused.Is that true?
I don’t know if it is a positive or a negative thing but I think an actor will get to a point in his life where acting is acting. If I am going to kiss someone and make it look real, I’ll have to paint the picture of the man I would probably want to kiss or maybe, my fantasy man. I’ll make him look beautiful the way I want him to look and I’ll kiss him.

Are you saying emotion is not involved?
Emotion is involved, because you want to play your role well but as soon as you finish, it’s all over because the emotions show through the eyes and the camera is going to pick it so, you’ve got to be in love at that time.

How did you get into acting?
I stumbled into it. I went for an audition and they were like, we don’t have anyone for the Adanma role and I offered to play it for free and that was it.

Did you actually do it for free?
Yes, I did it for free.

Have you found genuine love before?
I guess if I have found it before, I would have been married because I wouldn’t have let it go.

Is there a lucky man around?
To have that is more than being lucky (laughs).

Are you saying you’re single, available and free?
I don’t use those words.

Why?
That is because I can never be available. I would rather say I am single.

Are you looking for love?
You don’t look for love, it comes to you. When it comes, I’ll let you know.

Why do you love working with Emem?
She’s a cool and nice person. We’ve been friends for years . Why haven’t they asked me if I was going out with Emem? ( laughs).

What’s you view on lesbianism?
I think everybody should live their lives the way they want. Anybody who wants to be anything should be. People should live and let live.

So are you saying there is nothing wrong with lesbianism?
I’m not saying there is something wrong with it, neither I’m I going to condemn it.I am not going outside to condemn anyone and judging anyone The same God we worship still keeps His people alive , still loves them and gives them grace. So who am I to judge anybody?

Have you ever been approached by lesbians?
No, I don’t know what they look like . I know a guy has called me before,… he said he saw my picture in the paper, that he wants me to be his girl friend.

Are you pretty?
No I don’t think I am.

You don‘t think you are pretty?
No, not at all.

What were you taught when you were growing up about sex?
The first thing my mum told me was that “if a man touches you, you carry belle”

That is a lie?
No, she just said so, you know it was a word of wisdom… and every thing like that. Later she was like, I think as a growing child you need to learn about sex.

Do you frown against sex before marriage?
Yes I did, but in the world we are living it will stop.

Does that mean you don’t do it?
Does that mean I don’t have sex? I’m not a virgin but my sex life is private .

What is the most challenging role you’ve played?
I think Omotse in Guilty Pleasure was still my most challenging role. There’s also Spellbound in which I had to be kissing Desmond .

Which Desmond?
The same Desmond. My roles have been challenging really because they required a lot of initializing and rehearsing.

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