When i met Nzinga i was thrilled by her energy and high spirit.she always lights up a room and has this way of making you feel good. Here are some of the things we talked about.
1. what are your regrets for last year? what would you have done differently.
While I don't like to live my life with regret, if I really had to choose one regret, I would say that my greatest regret for last year is allowing fear to hinder me from achieving my goals. Being in our industry as an up-and-comer looking towards the future can be very scary because most of the time we do not know what lies ahead of us and that is hard to get comfortable with because it would be nice to have some kind of consistency. So instead of walking in faith, there were times when I was just afraid because I always thought about the worst case "scenario" as a way to prepare myself. But towards the end of the year I realized I was going about it all wrong because you get what you put out there and if you are always preparing for the worst, then that's the result you will have, as oppose to being positive and walking in faith. The great thing about that experience though is the lesson I learned from it, because I finally understood how fear can stop anyone from progress, and therefore, I worked on over coming my fear and started believing more in myself and my talents and having more faith.
2. what impression did you have of
nigeria before you got here and what are you taking back with you having spent this much time here?
When I told people that I was coming to Nigeria, I got mixed reactions from people - some
Nigerians and other Africans abroad were warning me to be careful because it wasn't safe, etc. However, I wasn't scared because I have traveled to so many places around
West Africa, so I knew that it would be similar to those nations and I just decided to come with an open mind and see what Nigeria had to offer. I was also very fortunate to be traveling with my friend Hope Olaide Wilson, who had grown up in Nigeria, but had not been back in about 15 years, so it was like her and I were going on an adventure. When we got here we did face some hardships and disappointments, but as they say "every disappointment is a blessing in disguise," and it certainly was! We ended up meeting some incredible people. What I LOVE about Nigeria is the fact that people in our generation who have lived abroad are now returning back to Nigeria and contributing towards society. That is such a blessing to be able to come home and create your own path towards your goals.
The incredible thing that I have discovered about Nigeria is the talent in this place! The music and entertainment industry are booming and I am so happy that Hope and I have found a passion project called Irin Ajo (The Voyage) that we are developing with Otunba Ayodeji Osibogun, who wrote this beautiful book, to take back to the US to present to some people in the entertainment industry. I believe it is time to showcase our own stories and talents and shine a spotlight on them in the global market. I am also so impressed with the fashion scene, specifically, a beautiful designer by the name of Motara Thomas and her like CUCO. She is one to definitely look our for and I am so happy that her and I are working on a project as well to take back to the United States.
We were suppose to be in Nigeria for two weeks...in October, and we've been here ever since, so that says a lot abi? See I'm even learning the lingo. I have been so blessed to experience life in Abuja, Lagos and even Ibadan. I am also blessed to have met amazing individuals who will be lifelong friends.
Nigeria has been one of the best experiences I've had in my life and I look forward to seeing this nation further develop. Africa in general is hot right now and has a lot of potential. If we can see that and start believing in our own talents, skills and efforts we truly can take this continent to a higher level. We just have to embrace our strengths and realize the beauty of our people and most importantly celebrate who we are as oppose to trying to emulate others.
3. whats your most cherished possession?
Wow. That's a tough question because when I think of possession, I think of materialistic things and I am not a materialistic person. One thing I do cherish the most is my life and my family. We are blessed to be given the gift of life and it is up to us to make the best of it. Without my family, I would not be where I am today. They are my backbone and so I am so grateful for everything.
4. What are some of the pains of an actor?
I think the most painful thing an actor has to go through hands down is rejection. When you go from audition to audition and they turn you down, it can be so painful, especially when you know you had rocked the audition. Then comes the feed back of the reason you didn't get the part because "you're too dark, you don't look African enough, or we've decided to go another way (which is code for we aren't making this character black anymore). I was once told by an agent the following: "Nzinga, commercially you would do well, but theatrically...I'm not so sure. You see, usually people with strong negroid features such a yourself, have a hard time making it big in Hollywood. I mean let's face it, you'll never be a Halle Berry." So needless to say, you have to develop a think skin in the industry. Once you can accept the fact that you will face a lot of rejection, you can continue to just put your best foot forward and believe that one day those "Nos" will turn into "Yes!"
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| Nzinggy & I |
Another painful experience actors go through is getting your big break, being on top of the world, but them perhaps your show gets cancelled or you're in a huge movie that comes out and for a year, things are great, but then the following year the phone stops ringing and no jobs are offered. I 've seen that happen to a lot of my friends and even I have had those experiences. You have to be so strong and figure out ways where you can take some ownership of your career, weather if you start writing or producing your own content. The people I admire are those actors who have been in the industry since they were children and they are still thriving in their career as adults. Actors like Tia and Tamera Mowry who have gone from Sister,Sister, to other popular TV shows, to becoming incredible producers of their own movies and TV shows.
Yes the industry is very hard and being an actor in a city where there are thirteen million other actors trying to compete for roles, it gets really tough. Some people have yet to have their break. I am lucky that I have my cousins out there with me, who are also in the industry, like Adetokunboh M'Cormack, who is one of the leads in the upcoming Columbia pictures movie Battle: Los Angeles. He and I have been through the ups and downs of the business and we are each others support system so I am ever so thankful for him.
Nzinga Blake & Hope Wilson
Despite the pains we may go through, the beauty of the industry is it makes you stronger and it is one of the industries where you can go into with $75 and within a matter of months you can find success, just like Hilary Swank. Now her story is one of pain, survival and victory! She has proven that as an actor, anything is possible. She is truly an inspiration to me and I would love to work with people like her someday.
