Why I am not about to quit – Omoni Oboli

Weekend Magazine: Has acting always been your dream?Omoni Oboli: Yes. I have always loved acting. My interest in acting, started as early as when I started talking as a little child. Acting has always been something I have dreamed about all my life. I feel fulfilled as an actress and happy to know that I […]

Weekend Magazine: Has acting always been your dream?
Omoni Oboli: Yes. I have always loved acting. My interest in acting, started as early as when I started talking as a little child. Acting has always been something I have dreamed about all my life. I feel fulfilled as an actress and happy to know that I was able to make true my dreams.
Every job comes with its challenges, what has been your greatest challenge in your acting career so far?
To be sincere, every movie I have been involved with has been challenging. I approach each project with zeal and tackle each movie as a challenge set before me. You know every role or character you play is a totally different personality from whom you really are. A new role or character in every movie is a challenge of which I have to brace up to it and tackle head on.
Take us through your experience on the set of ‘Anchor Baby’
Shooting ‘Anchor Baby’ was a great experience for me. The production was so well organized. Everyone was so professional. The shoot was hitch free! Lonzo Nzekwe has my maximum respect. For a first time director/producer, he did a phenomenal job! The cast and crew were all so focused on their jobs and doing their best to make a great movie. It was one movie we were bent on making top the charts and we sure achieved our goal. The set of ‘Anchor Baby’ is one that I would love to do all over again notwithstanding the challenges.
‘Anchor Baby’ drew a lot of attention to you and some of the cast recently. Was the idea born out of a true life story?
‘Anchor Baby’ is an amazing story I would agree, but I wouldn’t know if it was a true life experience, because it was the director Lonzo Nzekwe who wrote the story.
From late last year, things seem to be falling in place for you with most of your movies being in the cinema and some getting nominated for awards. How do you feel?
I feel great! It’s always a good feeling when you get recognized for your hard work. There are so much more that I have done that will be released this year, so watch out and keep your fingers crossed.
Nollywood has come of age and really gone through the thick and thin of the entertainment business. Tell us about your experience so far in Nollywood.
I was first in Nollywood in 1996 for about a year and then I left for over a decade because of some issues. But I could not divorce myself from the movie industry and I have been back now in Nollywood for over five years. Nollywood sure has its challenges, and when you think about it, that is what makes the industry thrive. If challenges are not there to push us to higher levels, we would all be relaxed and maybe Nollywood would not be where it is today.
Of all these movies, which would you say has taken you closer to your goal in your acting career?
All the movies I have done have all contributed to my success in the movie industry. Each movie has taken me one step closer.
Your son acted alongside you in ‘The Figurine’. What was it like shooting ‘The Figurine’ alongside your son?
Shooting ‘The Figurine’ with my son was both exiting and exhausting. I had to be his mom, his acting coach, his baby sitter and mentor. I was so proud of his performance and how well he was doing his job, but I also had to make sure he had things to occupy him like books and games so he doesn’t get bored.
In ‘The Figurine’, there seemed to be so much touching and all of that. Was your husband comfortable with those particular scenes?
There wasn’t a lot of that in ‘The Figurine’. It baffles me when people say there was a lot of that because for all I remember, if they are talking about the kissing scenes with Kunle then yes, my husband was comfortable because he understands that it is just make believe. My husband understands the nature of my job quite well to make a fuss about any of my scenes.
How true is it that you now charge in Dollars since you hit it big?
(Laughing)…..Naija! Well quite well, I charge in dollars for international jobs. It only makes sense if you are working outside the country for you to be paid in dollars. I get paid in naira for movies I do in Nigeria. It’s amazing how people come up with stories about one. 
How have you been able to joggle between being a mother to three boys, a wife and an actress successfully?
It hasn’t been easy, but I have a very supportive husband. I totally love my family so I always find time to be with them and do things that make them happy. Most Saturdays when I am in town, I go with them to their football academy. I cook and bake with the boys, play games together and read books. I try to make sure I am not found wanting in my responsibilities towards my home. There is a balance in my life between family and work.
If  Omoni was not into acting, what would she have been doing?
I would certainly have been an entrepreneur which I am anyway
‘Anchor Baby’ brought you international honor which seems to be the biggest price won by any actress in Nigeria. How do you feel about it?
It’s such a wonderful feeling when you win awards that were not organized by Nigerians or even Africans. Winning the Best Actress Award for ‘Anchor Baby’ at the Harlem International Film Festival in New York and The Los Angeles Movie Awards in LA was so great! I literally danced when I was told. I wasn’t even there and the judges didn’t know who I was. They judged based on the movies they watched. I was so happy. It goes to show that with the right ideology, determination and support, Nollywood and its actresses and actors can go places in the world.
News has it that you once rejected about 79.5 million Naira  ($500,000) offer from a Hollywood producer. How true is this tale and why?
As I said I don’t know where such stories are generated from.
Has the thought of calling it quit in entertainment ever crossed your mind?
Not at all! The entertainment just got started, so why call it quits.
You celebrated your birthday recently. How did go?
I was on set shooting a movie on my birthday. It is a horror movie titled ‘GRAVE HOUSE’ starring myself and Mike Ezuruonye, directed by Ikechukwu Onyeka. We all had fun on my birthday. We took some time off to sing happy birthday to me and eat my cake. It was a day full of fun and work for me.
Tell us your secret to remaining trim after three kids.
Simple! Diet and fitness. I am very disciplined with my lifestyle. I practice a very healthy lifestyle
What’s next for Omoni Oboli?
More and more great movies! I am having my directorial debut in a couple of weeks. I can’t wait! Omoni is sure moving forward in the entertainment industry!