In an interview with Saturday Tribune , Mercy
Johnson Okojie opens up about life before the
fame, money and marriage. She talks about
how she once lived in an uncompleted
building and how she was inspired to start
acting after watching one of Genevieve Nnaji's
movies. Excerpt below...
Sometimes when I cry in movies, it isn't
the script that makes me cry. When I
recall my humble beginning, I give
thanks to God. When I remember how we
moved into an uncompleted building and
had to take cover whenever it rained
because of the condition of the house;
how my brother did a menial job as a
bricklayer to earn a living and those
days when we rolled over a stick to
cover the windows up till the point when
I started acting and raised money to
cover the roof… I recall those days we
were living with lizards because the floor
and the walls of the house were not
plastered, or when I had scars as a
result of my several falls.” Continue...
How she got into acting..
“After my secondary school education, I failed
the University Matriculation Examination
(UME) and came back to Lagos to get a
degree. While that was on, I watched
Genevieve Nnaji in a movie entitled: Sharon
Stone. I later approached a friend for
assistance to feature in a movie. He said I had
a great body and that I would make a good
actress. He later took me to the National
Theatre, but a role did not come until a year
later, when I had my first lead role in a film
entitled: The Maid. The Maid was my starting
point and it was quite challenging to play the
lead role because it was my first movie. I was
fidgeting when I saw the likes of Eucharia
Anunobi, whom I regarded as a screen
goddess during my secondary school days. I
never thought I would make it with people like
that. So, when I saw her, I was so excited and
considered standing beside her as sacred.
She actually realised that and later helped me
by giving me the needed courage."
What has marriage changed about you?
Marriage has taught me lots of things and I’ve
learnt a lot since I got married too. I know that
if I had gotten married earlier, I wouldn’t have
made most of the errors I made. It’s good to
be married to somebody who is so organised;
he brings you up the right way and reminds
you of whom you’re supposed to be.
You seem to be enjoying marriage a lot. You
even once said that as soon as Purity (her
daughter) clocks one, you would be going
back to the labour room …
My sister, marriage has been sweet for me
because I have the best husband and
daughter in the world. Being a married
woman, I have learnt to tolerate things more.
It has changed my perspective of life and the
way I react to things.
But getting married and being an actress are
two different things. How do you balance up?
When I’m not at location, I spend quality time
with my family. And guess what? My husband
has always been there for me and Purity. It’s
obvious we are his priority. He’s a loving
husband and father.
Your husband does not complain about those
times when you are away?
He doesn’t; he understands the nature of my
job. He’s the best thing that has happened to
me. People usually say men are not reliable. In
the case of my husband, he’s a blessing.
What was the point of attraction between you
and Mr Okojie?
What attracted him to me was his fearless
approach. You know sometimes, you meet
some guys and they get intimidated about
you, but not with him. The first time we were
supposed to have a date, he said ‘Let’s go to
my house so you can cook for me’ and in my
mind, I was like “Seriously, this guy doesn’t
know my name.” So, I said “My name is
Mercy Johnson” and he said ‘Yes I know
Post a Comment