Is Genevieve redefining Nollywood’s Superstardom?

Recently, Nigerian actress, Genevieve Nnaji was featured as Connector of the Day on CNN’s Connect the World where she took questions on the growth of the film industry in Nigeria and related issues. And of course, she could talk about the film industry having spent some 12 years in the business, making herself a household […]

Recently, Nigerian actress, Genevieve Nnaji was featured as Connector of the Day on CNN’s Connect the World where she took questions on the growth of the film industry in Nigeria and related issues. And of course, she could talk about the film industry having spent some 12 years in the business, making herself a household name in the process.

Genevieve has featured in over 80 films since her 1998 debut in “Most Wanted”. By 2002 her career had peaked when she featured in 16 films (in that year alone) and in 19 the next year. She has since diversified into other areas. In 2004 she launched an unsuccessful music career and has also been modelling.

Genevieve is easily one of the most recognised Nigerian faces within the country, the continent and beyond going by her account, outside the country as well.

“I have been recognised by Indians, I think a Chinese woman once and that’s so funny,” she told CNN. In Lagos, the situation is different as she could hardly walk the streets without being mobbed, saying it is safer to drive around.

Oprah Winfrey had dubbed her, “the Julia Roberts of Africa”. Footages on CNN showed Genevieve in a public appearance surrounded by hefty bouncers wading off eager fans desperate to reach the actress. Genevieve seemed humble by the comparison.

“I don’t think I have anything in common with Julia Roberts to be honest. But it’s really complementary.  For me it’s an honour either way. It’s just recognition – that’s good,” she had said.

Born in Mbaise, Imo State, 31 years ago, Genevieve was brought up in Lagos by her engineer father and teacher mother. She grew up with seven other siblings. She started acting early, at age 8, when she featured in the popular soap opera “Ripples” and made her Nollywood debut some 11 years later.

“Well, in the beginning it was pretty challenging because first of all you had to – it’s not a culture that Africans, well back in the day, took to very readily so it was hard having to go through that and at the same time convince people that you know what you’re doing and they should give you a chance to prove yourself. And it’s possible, you know, to do something – to actually be in the public eye, and be an actor and still be normal. You know so it was challenging,” she said.

But she did make it look easy -19 films in a year! But with modelling contracts and other commitments, Genevieve seemed to have slowed down acting. She is after all one of the highest paid Nollywood actors. Her recent efforts include the award winning “Ije: The Journey”, alongside Nollywood star Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. She was in London to premiere her latest film, “Bursting Out”

“Bursting Out is a romantic comedy. It’s a story about a very uptight, elitist woman who falls in love with the wrong guy in the wrong class of life and then her discovery about – and then she falls in love hard so…it’s pretty funny. I found it funny,” she said.

Tripping for Jolie and Depp

Despite comparisons to Julia Roberts, Genevieve admits admiration for Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, saying she would love to act alongside them.

“Angelina Jolie. I’m a huge fan. Love her, love her, love her. Um… Johnny Depp, amazing actor. I think he’s so intriguing. I think there is something so mysterious about him. These two people, I don’t know, I think I would definitely get along with,” she said.

Perhaps, towing the line of her favourite Hollywood actress, Genevieve launched a clothing line, St. Genevieve, in 2008, proceeds of which are reportedly donated to charity. Jolie is a frontline humanitarian and a UN Goodwill Ambassador. She has been touring disaster affected areas to bring succour to the victims, from earthquake hit Haiti to flood ravaged Pakistan. Genevieve says she does her bit.

“I’m very passionate about, you know, orphans because – for me – there are so many other diseases out there but you see a lot of people don’t even have the experience of what love is about and these kids don’t even have that. So for me, times like Christmas, you know, you just want to do something and actually buy them presents and I just think they are too young and too innocent and we need to actually show them that people out there do love them. So I do my bit.”

Taking time off

But the life of a superstar is daunting enough and sometimes, Genevieve has to run from it all and be herself

“When I want to do that I basically just stay in. I just stay in and hang around with people who know me for me and appreciate me whether or not I’m an actor. You have to just get up and go and just you know grab that privacy that you want so much,” she said.

For a much sort after personality, there seems to be no respite. This is made more difficult by the sense of responsibility that drives her to work some more.

“Well, [the] country being in poverty. Well then our job is to put a smile on people’s faces. You know, we do the bits we can and we’re pretty generous when we come across people as well. And then we do a lot of talking to people that we feel can help,” she explained.