I can’t break my head for love – Naomi Emmanuel, actress

Wherever she steps out, her fashion sense attracts attention. Even in school, they will never let her be. Fast rising actress Naomi Ihemelu in the make-believe, recently change her name to Naomi Emmanuel. According to the séxy actress cum model, she is yet to have a challenged movie in her record, but has carved a niche from one of the popular episodes of a TV series “Clinic Matter” where she acted as Titi.

Born and bred in Lagos State, the final year student of History and International relations in Lagos State University and the actress from Anambra tells Saturday Sun that she can bare it all in the name of movies and her love for fashion.

What are you working on?

I am shooting a movie right now and I still have a deal with Tinsel. I will soon go into production which will go across West Africa. It will be a cinema standard.

How do you cope as a student and actress?

Right now, I am in my final year in Lagos State University studying History and International Relations.

As a student you have to be fashion conscious because everybody wants to look up to you. In school I am very popular, everybody knows me. It has not been easy. Everywhere my “name”, Nurse Titi echoes from left to right. I shouldn’t bring down with my fashion sense. I am aiming up, giving them new styles when I going to school every day, new dresses, new shoes, looking smart all the time. I am not to impress anybody.

How did you get into the industry?

I joined movie industry before I gained admission into the university after my high school. I have the flair for acting even while I was still in secondary school. Then I used to participate in church drama and activities. When I finished my secondary school I told my mum that I want to go further in acting and she agreed as far as that is what I wanted to do. I took a bold step to national theatre where I got myself fully registered. With little connection I have, some colleagues give me update on the audition going on the city.

I started attending auditions. That was in 2007.

What brought you to limelight?

Clinic Matters brought me into limelight in 2009. When we had an audition for a soap opera, there were so many upcoming actors; it was tough because we were more than 400 girls, only three girls were needed. There were people who are tall, fair, different structure, very beautiful, the intimidation was much. I trusted in God because I had attended an audition eventually I didn’t do the job. So I felt it is one those things, but I didn’t know that God was saying that this is time for me.

At the end the audition I was among the three persons that were picked. That was Theresa and Nurse Abigail. I was to play Titi and when it went on air it was so interesting that I couldn’t pass my street and in the public. People started calling me Nurse Titi until date.

I thank God that Clinic Matters brought me to limelight and I am still forging ahead.

Why did you change your surname recently?

In our family we are large and others do change their names. we decided to bear our father’s name, Emmanuel, as a surname in place of Ihemelu. For now my new name is Naomi Emmanuel.

What was your parents reaction when you joined movie industry?

At the initial stage my Dad was not just comfortable, not that he didn’t support it, he wasn’t just comfortable. It is normal in those days parents wanted their children to be a doctor, lawyer or something big. If you go below that it means you are a spoilt child or you’re not valuable. My Dad wasn’t comfortable about it, but my Mum was fully in support of it. Then she wouldn’t say much things.

She would encourage and give me transport money. It was because of my aunt in the industry who is doing well at that time that made my father to give in. I am glad that today all my family are happy for me and they want me to do more in the industry including my dad.

How many are you in the family?

There are five girls and one boy I am the last child.

Tell us about your growing up.

I grew up in boarding school. I schooled at Federal Govt College Ikorodu, Lagos. So I grew up in Lagos. I grew up among different kinds of people, different background, home, upbringing, and growing up in the hostel I think, is the best thing that would ever happen to anybody in life. When you go to boarding school you must be smart, intelligent; you are going to learn different things.

I am a Christian today but I know how to pray in Islam. So growing up wasn’t too challenging but I know that I learnt a lot of things. Then in school I never thought I am going to be an actress, but I knew I love entertainment. I knew that I love socializing to the extent that they made me the social prefect of my school.

What were your early challenges as an actress?

I have had many challenges, jumping from one place to another. It wasn’t easy.

The audition is very hectic, keeping late nights which I don’t like and at the end of the day you can never tell whether you would get the role. I think another challenge I had was when you eventually get a script, you go home, work on the script but the next thing you see is that the same movie is out without them informing you.

I thank God it’s not happening anymore.

Can anything make you give up acting?

I don’t think so. Nothing. Which part of your body do you consider the séxiest? I think it is my smile, once they look at my face they would always say that I ‘m smiling. I heard that it is not always good because people hardly know when you are sad. They will always keep complimenting you even when you are sad. I think that smile and my legs are my selling points.

People like my legs especially when I am on heels. I think I have this carriage, the way I walk. People fancy me because of who I am and the way I carry myself and the kind of things I do despite I am not all that tall. Also, they fancy me because of the kind of movies I do. I have a large fan base. Most times they tell me they like the way I dress, package myself and the role I play in the movie.

What inspired you into acting?

It takes me good money.

You have to spend good money to look good. I spent a lot when it comes to fashion. It is just me. Right from time I have always loved neatness and looking smart. I appreciate people when I see them on Television or Newspapers looking smart and clean. I love fashion a lot. Even at 100 years, I want to look good. When you see Naomi Emmanuel, that is fashion for you.

Does fashion have anything to do with earning you a role in Clinic Matters?

Not everybody can wear white from morning till evening without staining it. During shooting we put it on from dawn to dusk despite the fact that you might be sweating.

That is one of our director’s critera to choose his cast. I think he saw that in me with other “nurses”. So neatness to Clinic Matters go together from beginning till end. You are flaunting an engagement ring.

Are you getting married?

These are fashion rings, nothing much. I am not engaged. I am still single.

Does that mean that men don’t toast you again?

They are plenty on my list, they keep knocking on my door, but I know if I get any man now I could get distracted. I wouldn’t say I am searching because I am so focused with my job. I won’t have time to hang around with men here and there. It is going to be a distraction to me which I really do not want right now. So I am single, but I am just focused. I am too busy to have extra headache.

I am not saying guys are headache, but I am saying that for now no man is in my life because I don’t need any distractions. Maybe, probably when I graduate from university I will accept one.

Lesbianism in the industry: Have you had any encounter?

Not at all, I am not and I will never be. God forbids that nonsense. I totally don’t support it. God doesn’t approve it. Don’t you believe in love? Of course I do. Love is a strong thing and I believe in it.

Who is your ideal man?

He must be God fearing, tall, dark, humble, handsome and capable enough to take care of me. I would like him to give me attention. I don’t need a noise maker. I need a man who can connect with my vision and dreams.

Do they pamper you as a last child?

Not just pampered, I was well caltured because I get advice from my four elder sisters. So I ‘m able to handle these approaches from men. Thank God I don’t even have time for any silly thing because immediately I left high school, I went into acting. I was struggling in acting, school and modeling.

I really don’t have time for all these things at all. Who taught you how to be fashionable? I grew up with it; my mum is a fashionable person. She loves fashion and she salls pure gold accessories. With this my four sisters and I grew up wearing gold from our little age. I got gold on my ears, necklace both white and pure gold, ankle chain, wrist watches are all gold.

So, these things drove fashion soul to me and by the time my elder sisters are all dressing up I want to do it. So my growing up and getting into entertainment industry all contributed to my being fashionable because when you go out for shows and events, you just have to be fashionable. Again, my own kind of modeling is photography.

How do you cope with all these activities?

It’s God because before I do anything I have to go on my knees. For the fact that I am focused and I know what I am aiming at, if I get a little distraction, I lose focus. I am managing my time because any little time I have I still go back home, do my house chores.

What crazy thing has a fan done to you?

I have this crazy fan that any time I go to my fan facebook database, all I see is airtime. He keeps sending and I said thank you, don’t send any more. I appreciate it, but he keeps sending and asking for my phone number.

I can’t give them my number. I don’t have to impress everybody, I will do my best. Séx for role in the industry, have you ever experienced it? No! I have never had any experience because I am good at what I do. I think people who are getting this thing are those who are not good in what they do.

If you catch your man with another woman, would you fight to get him back?

Capital No! Never, if I catch him with another woman that means he wants to belong there.

He can go, I can fight for my man when it is right, but not when you dabble with another woman and you still expect me to come and fight for you, no!. I can’t fight for love, another man will always come. When one door closes another will definitely open. I can’t break my head for love.

What is your take on porn movies in the Nollywood?

It will not encourage the youths, and I can never be part of it. Why should we act such? African culture doesn’t allow that.

What are you doing lately?

I went to France precisely Paris for the Nigeria fashion reception which was held last month in Wallem Sagrem, Paris, hosted and organised by Lexy Mojo Eyes of Legendary Gold limited. About 16 fashion designers came from 16 different African countries to showcase their designs. I was invited as a guest actress along side some other few selected actors.

It is a fashion show in Europe to promote African fashion and style. Some great personalities who were in attendance were her Excellency, First lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, Bola Momodu, Mamuzee, Aisha Babangida among others.

By Christian Agadibe (nnamchris@yahoo.com)