Getting to Know Nigerian Actress Genevieve Nnaji

Genevieve Nnaji is undoubtedly one of Africa’s most successful and well-known actresses and is considered to be one of the best paid Nollywood actresses. Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, Nnaji, the fourth of eight children, started her acting career on the TV soap opera Ripples when she was 8-years-old. She started her career in the Nigerian film industry at age 19 in the film Most Wanted and has since starred in over 80 Nollywood movies.

Notably, in 2005 Nnaji won Best Actress in a Leading Role at the African Movie Academy Awards. In 2010, she also starred in the award winning film Ijé: The Journey.

Recently, Genevieve Nnaji was named ‘Most Elegant Woman in her 30s’ by Encomium Magazine. Kazeem Popoola of Nigerianfilms.com spoke to Nnaji about her film career, her favorite things, and relationships:

Most of your colleagues have delved into movie production, when are you joining the league of movie producers?
Not anytime soon, my hunger for performing is still there. I am not ready to go behind the scene yet to produce. But I do not mind directing anyway.

How did you feel being on set with Omotola [Jalade] after speculations that you were not on good terms with each other?
I think I have actually done more movies with Omotola than any other actress to be honest. That is weird; we have been sisters in many movies. It is funny because we were supposed not to be friends and we are still working together but I want people to take it with a pinch of salt because there is nothing to it.

What do you think ignited these speculations?
Everybody needs some kind of controversy to move on. But to be candid, I have no idea.

What would be your favorite movie if you were to pick one?
Crash.

What is your favorite food?
Rice.

Your favorite quote?
“Do unto others what you want them do to you.”

When are you getting married?
I am looking for the right person and if I see him, I will get married. The fact remains that I am not looking for men. I admit that they do admire my work. But it’s not all about men. Women also admire me. I do not look for men and I do not think men are looking for me either.

Perhaps the absence of a visible man in your life is responsible for rumors of lesbianism which seem to trail you….
Are you saying that because I don’t have any man in my life then I must have women as my lovers? (Laughs) Na today dey begin talk am? I am not a lesbian, besides; I have not said that I have a relationship with any woman, not in my life.

What about the news making the rounds that you are dating D’Banj?
That is my personal life. I don’t talk about my personal life, whether it’s true or not. It is my personal life. I keep it to myself.

Can you date him?
I can date any man that loves me.

So, what do you like most about D’Banj?
Why do you assume I like him?

No doubt Nnaji knows how to handle tough questions!

See the full interview or watch Nnaji on CNN’s African Voices.