Sultry actress Queen Ebigieson had one major wish on
her mind in 2000, when she first walked into
Nollywood, and that was to be a household name within
the shortest period of time and affect lives
positively through her movies.
And fortunately, the mother of one, who quietly
married the man of her dreams in 2005, is gradually
actualizing that dream in Tinsel town.
With over 15 hit movies to her credit, the role
interpreter, from Okpella, Edo State is fast becoming
the darling of movie buffs, who are steadily helping
to increase her fans base.
In fact, her exploits in that blockbuster titled
Pretty Angels, is still being applauded by pundits and
critics alike.
Vivacious Ebigieson, also a model is very optimistic,
she would hit the international run-ways soon and
further hoist the Nigerian flag higher alongside her
career.
In this no- holds -barred interview with AZUH AMAUS, Ebigieson who has
been out of circulation for more than a year in
Nollywood, spoke on her whereabouts.
Sensationally too, she opened up on how she met, fell
in love and finally said “I do” to her darling
husband.
She also spoke on life within and outside the
klieg lights, among other germane issues.
Enjoy the interaction!
The year is still fresh, so what’s been happening
to you?
Not much and you also know I just had a baby boy,
so I’m gradually taking my time but I just got back
from Abuja, where I went to shoot a movie. A new movie
tentatively titled The Devil’s Advocate.
Is the birth of your baby responsible for your long
absence in Nollywood?
Well, I won’t really accept that, but I love my son
very well and if I start taking jobs, I won’t have
enough time for him. And come to think of it, his
father, my husband is very well to do and has given me
everything I asked for, so why would I stress myself
and the baby. At least, I want to give the baby and me
one year break before bouncing back. I accepted this
new job because of so much pressure.
So, how old is your bundle of joy now?
I had him on March 6, 2006 at St. Nicholas, here in
Lagos.
How come most of your colleagues never knew you
were pregnant then?
Well, my husband and I thought it was best for us
to hide and not to make it public, due to some
personal reasons. I deliberately kept out of scene,
especially in Nollywood.
As a young lady, how has it been coping with
motherhood and its attendant challenges?
Oh! Sincerely, I can’t find words to express it;
it’s been very sweet and has also made me a complete
woman. I’m also happy being married to the father of
my baby boy. I’m now Mrs. Okosun, since 2005.
And how is married life treating you?
Well, well it is not a bed roses, it has its ups
and down, but mine has been wonderful. I’m married to
an understanding man, who has also shown me so much
love. A man, who I also believe will always stand by
- Even when he offends me, I forgive because of the
love and his son and when I offend him, it is also
vice versa.
What got you attracted to him?
From the onset, I’ve always prayed to settle down
with an elderly man, at least, ten years older than
me, but God over answered my silent prayers by giving
me a man that is twenty something years older than me
and that gives me extra joy. He treats me like his
daughter, wife, sister, mother, in fact, everything. I
think we understand each other.
How old are you?
I will be 25 this April, while my husband
celebrated his 46 birthday, last year.
Tell us more about this your doting husband
He’s Chief Johnny Okosun, a Prince from a royal
family in Edo State, just like me, also an
international businessman with investments here and
there. He is also the publisher of Reality magazine, a
nice, loving and quiet gentleman.
And how are you people planning for the Valentine,
any special treat?
For us, everyday is Valentine, especially when I’m
with him. We are going to celebrate it like every
other day. But after that, I will be jetting out with
my son to further relax before his forthcoming first
birthday.
Is he very comfortable with your life as an
actress/model?
I should think he is comfortable because he has not
complained and as a married woman, I tell him before
accepting any script these days. And after going
through with me, any one he says no, I drop without
arguing. I’m of the view that a woman should always
obey her husband.
What if tomorrow, he tells you to quit
acting/modelling, would you obey?
Yes, I will obey him 100%, because I love him very
much. Wherever he wants me to stay, is where I will
be.
In 2005, you were among the finalists in Miss
Gateway Games, what was the experience like?
It was a lovely outing and experience for me. Even
though, I did not win the crown, I won Miss
Congeniality at the event. It was also fun and
memorable because immediately after the pageant, I got
married. In fact, I was already pregnant during the
pageant.
Is your husband romantic?
Yes, he is very romantic, loving, caring and
generous.
And what are the romantic stuffs he does that
usually tantalizes your heart and soul?
Most of them are very personal to the two of us,
but I would reveal a little. I like the way he talks
and looks at me, they trip me a lot. Again, because I
believe and know he is my dream man, whatever he says
is sweet and romantic to me. He usually calls me
“baby” and that is very romantic.
After the birth of your baby, how many movies have
you featured in?
Just two movies and a very big show held at the
Niteshift Coliseum, I was the official face, it was
called Fun Potpourri.
Now that you’re married, are we still going to see
more of you as a model?
Yeah, only that I will select the kind of jobs I do
now, no more hot or skimpy jobs because I’m married to
a high chief from Opoji.
There is this general view that most marriages in
Nollywood don’t last, what efforts are you making to
ensure yours stays forever?
I believe in God and also know that it was God that
destined this marriage and we also leave the rest to
God, it will definitely last. I’m married and will
definitely stay married.
Now that you’re married, do men still disturb you
like they used to in the past?
The truth is that they still do, and I believe they
have the right to do that, and I also have the 100%
right to tell them no; because I’m hooked for life to
the man that means the world to me. When they stop me,
I usually let them know I’m happily married with a son
without being rude. And before they start saying
anything, I’m gone, because most women get carried
away with what they hear.
As a Mrs., can you still act deep romantic roles in
movies again?
Playing romantic role depends, even before I got
married, I had never really kissed in my movies and it
was not as if I’m against it, but God never brought
such roles my way, now that I’m married, I still want
the status to remain.
When did you breeze into Nollywood and which was
your first movie?
I came in 2000 and one of my earliest movies was
Lost Love. I came into Nollywood in a very funny way.
I came in while still schooling in faraway Niger
state. I remember picking the movie jacket of a movie
from the stable of OJ Productions and put a call to
them from a phone number, I saw on the jacket, got a
favourable response and like they say, the rest is now
history. I eventually came down to Lagos fully after
my OND in Mass communication at the federal
Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State.
And how has the challenges been since then?
It has been very, very challenging. As a new
artiste then, the major challenge was moving from one
audition venue to another and most times from 10am to
4pm, your name will not be on the list. It was really
frustrating them but I refused to give up because of
my passion for the industry. It was a stressful and
challenging but thank God, I never gave up.
Were your parents and siblings in total support of
your coming to Nollywood?
My dad never had a problem with it but my mum did
based on her religions inclinations. As a Deeper Life
member and worker in the church, they summoned us and
told me to stop acting, or else my mum would be
removed from her position, but I stood my ground and
said no and today, it has paid off. Due to pressures,
my mum eventually left the church.
Did you encounter any form of sexual harassments
from moviemakers, when you newly came in?
Not at all. But you see, it’s a free world and I’m
a pretty woman, so a lot of my colleagues asked me out
without intimidation.
Did you date any of your colleagues?
No! I never dated any of my colleagues. I only have
them as pals.
What has kept you going all these while in
Nollywood, considering its unstable nature?
I love acting and showbiz with a passion and it is
also my life. And because it is what I enjoy doing
with a passion, it has continually kept me going.
But as a child growing up, what was it that you
dreamt of doing professionally.
As a child growing, I dreamt of being seen on the
TV and that led to my going to read Mass Communication
I want to go back to school soon and have a complete
degree. I can never abandon acting for mass
communication.
What part of your body, do you consider the
sexiest?
I know I have hot legs and sexy eyes and I used to
flaunt them a lot as a spinster.
But for your hubby, what part of your body trips
him most?
Hmmh! He loves my eyes, boobs and legs with a
passion. He also loves the colour of my skin.
What major wish would you make for tomorrow?
Major wish for tomorrow? I pray and wish my husband
remains with me for life.
What are your mission and vision in Nollywood?
To be recognized both locally and on the foreign
scene, affect lives through my movies and maybe set up
a movie related NGO in the nearest future.
What is happening to your earlier plan of going
into movie production?
It is still on, probably after the birthday of my
son-Prince Gods time Osagie Okosun, we would commence
shoot, and we are strategizing.
What are some of your major movies and which
actually made you a household name?
Some of my spectacular movies are Moment of Joy,
Back-to-Back, Sweet Love and Pretty Angels; it was the
movie that brought me out.
At some points, you made waves with Super Story,
how was the experience like?
A: It was fun and lovely. I was in One Bad Apple and
This Life. One remarkable thing about them is that
everybody is treated equally. I’m looking forward to
working with them again this 2007.
As a model also, how has it been in that terrain?
It has been fun also, but, since I got married and
had my baby, my modelling career has gone down
drastically. I started acting before going into
modelling. But acting remains the best for me because
even if tomorrow I grow out of shape, I can still act
but not model.
What would you say is the greatest thing acting has
done for you?
It gave me the publicity and leverage that I have
always wanted. It has also enabled me pay my bills
legally till I met my husband. And without acting, I
would not have come to Lagos to meet and marry my
husband.
What stands you out as a starlet in Nollywood?
My personality and dignity, which I always protect
and guard jealously stands me out.
Prior to meeting your hubby, has your heart ever
been broken by men?
I don’t believe any man can break my heart. If
you’re in an affair that is not moving well, you have
the right to quit.
What breaks you down or makes you cry?
As a married woman, I cry when I miss my husband or
get him really upset.
In the next couple of years, where do you want to
be?
in the next couple of years, I want to be a very
big star, a respected mother and a respected wife like
Joke Silva.
Now that you’re married, are there things you are
missing?
Well, the only thing I miss, is hanging out with my
pals and it is not because of marriage, but my son, I
don’t like being away from him.
And how has it been also, juggling motherhood with
acting?
it’s been pretty difficult but I’m trying to cope…
Since your arrival, like how many movies have you
done?
I have done about 15 quality movies and still hope
to do more.
What is your family background like?
We are from Okpella, Edo State. I’m the first
daughter in a family of six, four boys and two girls.
I grew up in the North and Middle Belt Area.
First published, February 2007