‘Why I veered from acting to pageantry’

Weekend Magazine: How did you start acting? Rejoice Chidinma Cheryl Akandu: It was during my secondary school days. I accompanied a friend to an audition and she told me that if I didn’t mind I could give it a try. That was how I participated in the audition and surprisingly, my performance amazed everybody there […]

Weekend Magazine: How did you start acting?

Rejoice Chidinma Cheryl Akandu: It was during my secondary school days. I accompanied a friend to an audition and she told me that if I didn’t mind I could give it a try. That was how I participated in the audition and surprisingly, my performance amazed everybody there and I was picked. That single incident marked the beginning of my involvement with the entertainment industry while still in school. But while acting, I figured out that there is more to it. I realised that people looked up to you as a role model and your life is never the same again because whatever you do people’s eyes are always on you. So, as a young actress, I found it very important to conduct myself properly with the help and support of my parents. While I acted a student in movies like ‘Princess’s Wish,’ and ‘Broken Wall’ among others.

WM: Talking about your parents, how did they react to your career?

Akandu: They gave me all their support and blessings. However, they made sure that my acting career didn’t affect my school activities. In fact, they are the pillars behind my success as an actress within a short period of time. To cut it short, I wouldn’t have been where I am today without their support and guidance and this has shown everyone that I went into acting with their approval.

WM: Why did you quit the screen business for beauty pageant?

Akandu: Joining the beauty pageant is a form of expanding one’s horizon and exploring one’s talent. As a young lady, I feel I have all the time to explore other avenues in doing what I have chosen for myself. I saw the advert and I got registered a day to the deadline. My initial intent was just to give it a try, but as God would have it, I finally emerged winner.

After winning, I became more attached to pageantry because it exposes me to a lot of things. It taught me how to appear in public and speak with confidence. It also accorded me the ability to identify with the public and differentiate gatherings from crowd. I have seen opportunities to touch lives and change them for the better. These are what made me put aside acting and concentrate more on my pageantry. However, now that I have gathered enough experience, I am going back to my acting career and I tell you, the sky is going to be my limit.

WM: How did you feel on your first movie location?

Akandu: It was awesome. I was so naïve and scared even though I got there through auditioning. It was just so scary. In my mind I thought ‘don’t make blunders Rejoice, just be yourself.’ Anyway I was lucky to have made it through. 

WM: You made mention of going back to school. Do you think it is possible to combine studies and acting?

Akandu: It is possible indeed. What one needs is the determination and I believe I have got it. There are many well-known artistes that are still students in various institutions across the globe and if they can do it, why not me?

WM: Have you signed any contract with any firm after emerging Queen of Nollywood?

Akandu: There are a few offers, but I am yet to take any because most of the ones at my disposal have unclear conditions which I feel I need more clarification on before I venture into any agreement. However, for now I have narrowed my concentration to some pet projects I have initiated. I was in Abuja a few weeks ago for diabetic awareness campaign and I believe with time much is going to be accomplished.   

WM: It is widely believed that if one wants to hit it big in the entertainment industry, Lagos is the place to be. Are you planning to relocate completely to Lagos?

Akandu: Well it depends on the circumstances on ground. I want to affect the lives of younger people, most especially those involved in drug abuse, cultism and other social vices. I would want to be here and there and wherever circumstances warrant me to be. 

WM: Any word for upcoming artistes?

Akandu: Yes, they should understand that stardom is not a day’s achievement. They need to work hard and believe in their ability to convince people that they can deliver. They should know that under no circumstance should they give their body for a role. They should understand that you can only make yourself an actress and no one else can do that for you. We all have dignity, a name and a virtue to protect and that should always be our mission in what we do.