Despite the fact that top actress Princess Tina
Amuziam started her acting career with NTA in the late
80’s stardom did not beckon on her until she joined
Nollywood in ’96 on the set of Last Hope.
She eventually became a household name and the darling of
movie buffs when she titillated in monster hit movie
Glamour Girls, from the stable of NEK Videos, since
then, the Delta State born star from a royal house has
continued to dictate the pace in Nollywood, when it
comes to flawless acting.
To further raise her stakes in the industry that has
brought her fame and fortune, Amuziam recently veered
into movie-making as a producer with a soon-to-debut
flick titled “Woman of Destiny”.
With the world premiere of her movie already taken
place last Saturday at Flamingo Restaurant, Victoria
Island, Lagos and was well-attended, ecstatic Amuziam,
disclosed that she looks forward to making more
quality movies that would help transform mankind and
the society in general.
In this warm encounter with AZUH AMATUS, the top flight
thespian that had sizzled in over 80
movies, took us down memory lane on how the journey
started, the trials and triumphs.
Princess as she is fondly called, also spoke
passionately about God, men, future goals among other
germane topics.
Enjoy the interaction!
Where have you been, because we have not heard much
from you in recent times?
I’ve been around, though I stepped aside for
sometime, but came back since 2003. And ever since,
I’ve been busy working.
You stepped aside to do what?
To do one or two other things like contracts,
during that period, I also took a trip outside Nigeria
to look around. I went to the U.S. I also left then
because I wasn’t comfortable with what was going on in
the industry, a lot of trash here and there. I
used to run a boutique, called Home De Glamour; I
stopped when my shop was robbed.
The many trashes that made you leave Nollywood
then, are they no longer there?
Truth is that the industry has really been
sanitized to an extent, and then it was really
something else.
Is that part of the reasons you eventually veered
into movie production?
You know I’ve been around in the industry for a
very long time and just decided I should do it the
other way too and see what it is like being a
producer, I’ve always had this dream of going into
production, so I had to pray to God to provide the
funds, at least to an extent to be able to go into it
and finish it the best way and not stopping by the
road side. And to God be the glory I have finally
completed the movie.
Tell us more about the movie
It is titled “Woman of Destiny”, a family
oriented story that is also true life. Won’t say much
about the storyline till it hit shelves after the
world premiere. Notable Nollywod stars in the movie
were Zack Orji, Emeka Enyiocha, Oby Edozieh,
Chinyere Winifred, Obiageli Molube, Thelma Okoduwa, myself and several others. Ekenna Igwe directed and we shot for
almost two weeks. It was my story.
What were the fond memories while on location?
It was really fun working with a wonderful cast and
crew members. I enjoyed it and saw the other side of
movie-making by being a producer which is not very
easy, but all the same I thank God, I was able to do
it.
How about the major challenges on set?
For me, the biggest challenge on set was the days
we had to shoot into the night, it happened on several
occasions. Then, once-in-a-while, you have one or two
problems with your colleagues on set; all the same,
the challenges were part of the fun.
Like how much was spent shooting this movie?
I spent close to N4million of my personal funds
shooting this movie, mind you; I’ve been planning for
it for a very long time. The world premiere took place
last Saturday at Flamingo Restaurant, Victoria Island,
Lagos, it was well attended. We are still trying to
fix a date for the marketing and distribution
nationwide.
But why did it take you this long to come out with
your own movie?
Well, I’ve been taking my time and did not want to
rush into it. I was actually enjoying what I was doing
as an actress, even though I longed being a producer,
I had to take my time and not a situation where I
would rush into what I don’t know. I like taking my
time and making researches here and there before
venturing into new fields. By the grace of God, I
intend producing more quality movies. In fact, it is
very likely; I would produce another movie by
December.
Your sojourn into Nollywood, how and when did it
start?
My first movie in Nollywood was The Last Hope in
’96, but before then I had been on TV as an actress. I
was at home when my first movie script came to me. I
started professional acting with NTA Tele movies in
1987, here in Lagos. Christain Onu, was my first TV
director. After Tele movies I did Wind of Destiny,
Dreams, Cradle, Blossom and several other TV soaps and
series then.
So, in essence you have abandoned the TV for
Nollywood now?
No, I have not. Currently, I’m on TV working on
Chico Ejiro’s Treasures, only that NTA has not invited
me for any soap recently, if they do, I will gladly
accept, because that was where I started from.
What fond memories do you still relish about your
days at NTA?
A lot (Laughs). I remember being paid about N100.00
(One Hundred Naira) for a lead role in NTA jobs then,
not cash o! They usually give you a CBN Cheque, which
you will now cash at First Bank and also pay your tax
from it. It was really fun then. I also wrote for Food
Basket then on NTA, plenty fond memories that I can’t
begin to recollect now.
Who would you say discovered and nurtured your
acting talent?
I will give it to Christian Onu, any day, anytime.
He discovered me in a Tele movie titled Victim of
Circumstance, where I played the lead.
Were your parents in support of your going into
showbiz then?
Well, they did and I really appreciated their
efforts.
Between soaps and movies, which do you prefer?
As a professional, I cherish both, even stage, they
all come with their different challenges, but all the
same, I still remember the days on TV, it used to be
fun. But if I’m to choose now, I would pick home
video. It is so because this sector has grown and
artistes earn good money also. We now get star
treatment on set.
In what ways has acting impacted positively on your
life?
Quite a lot of ways. I can go to places not
everybody can walk into because of my face. You are
known and respected because of your famous face, a lot
of people, especially youths look up to you as role
model, a lot of benefits. Again, through my roles,
I’ve impacted positively on my society and healed many
troubled souls.
If you were not acting today, what else would you
have been doing?
Maybe, I would have been a lawyer or a big time
Businesswoman, globetrotting in quest of legit deals.
Like how many flicks have you featured in since you
joined Nollywood?
I’ve done well over 80 quality movies.
And that makes you a millionaire?
If you say so, to God be the glory.
That also means movie-makers are doing enough in
terms of good artiste fees?
I will say yes because artistes now earn good money
from movies, it is a welcome development but it could
be better.
In retrospect, which among your movies would you
say brought you to limelight?
I would say it is Glamour Girls; it was my role of
Jessica in Glamour Girls that made me a household name
in movies. Till date, most people still call me
Jessica.
What are your views about Nollywood?
Truth is that I don’t know where to place Nollywood
right now, it is a fast growing industry, which we are
all proud of, but what I don’t like is the kind of
politics that is currently going on in recent times,
it also reminds me of the type of politics that is
currently going on in the country. They should all
come together and help build Nollywood, for me that is
the way forward. People should remove selfishness from
whatever they are doing and remember they are going
into public offices to serve and not to eat. The cause
of all these is greed and it is tearing our dear
Nollywood apart.
But do you have the intentions of going into public
office in the nearest future?
Well, I would say yes, but have not decided the
level at which I will serve my people. Even this 2007,
my people are still calling me to come and serve them;
I told them the time is not yet ripe. By God’s grace I
will definitely go into politics.
Let’s get personal with you, tell us more about
yourself?
I’m Princess Tina Amuziam, from a royal home in
Delta State, the fourth in a family of nine. I’m from
Aniocha North LGA.
How old are you?
I’m an adult.
Are you married or still single?
I’m so sorry I can’t answer the question; it is too
personal for me. Aa! Please, I would not like us to
discuss my personal life in this interview again.
Okay, but how do you cope with male admirers as a
beautiful actress?
The point is that you can’t crucify somebody
because he is admiring you; you have to be polite with
them, even though you don’t want to jump at every
admirer that comes your way. I get along with my male
admirers very well and give God glory always for
taking extra time to create me, so I don’t blame
anybody who admires me. I also like making friends
with people who like me. Even as a married woman, if a
guy admires you, you simply tell him thanks and sorry
because you are married and it ends there.
But how do you react when some of these stubborn
admirers take it to the extreme?
If I tell you no and you still persist, that is
your problem because I will ignore you.
What is the secret of your beauty?
I’m flattered. The first secret is that I don’t
live a rough life, I don’t smoke, drink or night
crawl. I also take off time once in a while to rest
and very, very close to my God. For me, these are the
secrets.
How close are you to your God?
Very, very close, in fact, I’m a Catholic and would
soon open a ministry for women. I have a mandate to
relate with women and discuss God with them, for me,
it is a burden.
What motivates you?
I will still say God, because in whatever you do in
this life, if you don’t have God, you are a failure,
that’s the truth. I relate to my God all the time. He
directs me, if I wake up in the morning I talk to Him,
bed time, He also directs me. He actually motivates
and inspires me every day.
How do you want to be remembered when you are no
longer acting?
Like I told you earlier about my ministry, I want
God to use me to reach the women and children, that is the
first thing I want to be remembered for. I also pray
to God every day of my life to enrich my coast, so that
I can reach out to people. You see a lot of people are
suffering and I can’t stand people problems and I
think that’s what God created me for, but I have not
had enough to reach out to people the way I want. I
want to run a charity home that would take care of the
less privileged so that tomorrow when I’m gone, they
would still remember me for something special. You saw
what happened when Bimbo Odukoya died, youths were
crying, in fact, everybody was crying. Wherever she is
today with God and hears the cries of her loved ones,
she would be happy, because she lived a fulfilled
life.
Do you have regrets in life?
My only regret is that I’m too kind and people take
advantage of it, but on a second thought, I have
learnt not to regret it because I feel that is how God
wants it.
What makes you cry?
What makes me cry? I’m not rich and not from a rich
home, but thank God, I’m comfortable. So when I see
some people go through some rough times, which I feel
they should not go through because of money, I cry, in
order words, other people’s problems makes me cry.
Then that you were new in Nollywood, did you
encounter any form of sexual harassment from randy
movie-makers?
No. I never encountered it, in fact, there wasn’t
anything like it. Till date, nobody has ever harassed
me.
But you are aware it is rampant these days?
Yes, I’m aware it is rampant but not only on the
male side, our girls are rotten. When a girl dresses
half nude, what do you expect the man to do? Bodi no
be wood o! Our girls should be cultured, we should not
imitate America, and this is Nigeria. Our tradition
and culture do not allow these things, so if you go
seduce a guy, he will react.
You recently won an award, tell us more about it?
This award means so much to me and also remains my
best even though I have won so many within and outside
Nigeria. It is so because it came from my own people.
You know they said a prophet is not recognized in his
country, my case is not like that, my own people
appreciates me and what I’m doing, it’s rare. When I
got the I.V for the award, I was dazed and could not
believe my eyes. I’m very happy and grateful to my
people for honouring and believing in me. If my people
can recognize and appreciate what I’m doing glory be
to God, it also means the sky is my beginning point.
When your movie finally hits shelves nationwide,
what core message do you intend passing to Nigerians
through it?
The movie is a thrilling story that people will
learn a lot from the moment it comes out, especially
the men, they should not be in a hurry when it comes
to taking family decisions. They should also realize
that anything that happens in one’s life God has a hand
in it. My movie also teaches people to keep their
hands clean.
How soon is your women ministry kicking-off?
Very, very soon but I’m not in a haste to commence.
Are you going to completely abandon acting for the
ministry?
Let’s wait till the time comes, but no matter what
acting remains my first love.
What are your future plans?
Starting and consolidating on my women ministry,
helping the less privileged through my charity home
and also helping to shape the society through my
movies. Above-all, I want to be closer to my God and
help win souls for him through my good deeds.
In a sentence, describe your movie for us?
Woman of Destiny is a great movie which every
family must own a copy, a collector’s item.
First published, August 2006