Mum encouraged me to become an actress -Sylvya Oluchi

Sylvya Oluchy is a super actress who loves her acting career. She won  the ‘Most Promising Act of the Year Award’ last year. This black beauty studied Theatre Arts at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. The super screen Nollywood star said she never knew her talent lied in acting until her mum told her after noticing her unique flair in mimicking her school teachers. She unfurls her lifestyle, acting career and dress sense in this interview withAdaeze Amos.

What motivated you into acting?

I love acting and entertainment a lot. I see myself as a doctor of sorts. While medical doctors heal the body, entertainers heal the mind, allowing people to temporarily forget their problems and have a nice time. As we all know, worrying doesn’t solve anything. My job is fun and highly creative

How did your career start?

My first movie was during the holiday when I was in university. I went for an audition and got a non-speaking role. I was excited and terrified at the same time. The movie title is ‘Xoza’. It was good to get experience on what we had been learning in school.

Tell us some movies you have starred in.

They are many but I would name some that I can remember off hand. They include ‘Being Mrs Elliott’, ‘Lekki Wives’, ‘On Bended Knees’, ‘Façade’, ‘Finding Love’, ‘Bent Arrows’, ‘The Love Trainer’, among others.

Of these films, which is the most challenging?

All were challenging in their own different ways. Most importantly, I tried to research on YouTube for new mannerisms of cultures yet to be explored by me to make each character fresh and unique. I remember that ‘Bent Arrows’ was my first lead role for which I won an award. But recently, I’ve been garnering public attention for ‘Being Mrs Elliot’ and ‘Lekki Wives’.

Looking at some of your hot bikini shots on the net, can’t one believe that you can act nude?

I’ve never acted nude before. But if I get such an offer, I will make my decision based on the script and director, and if it moves the story forward meaningfully.

How hot are you in romance roles?

It depends on the script and director.  However, they decide to play out romance, I’m game. Whether suggestive or full on, I have no problem with romantic scenes as long as they are tastefully done.

Who would you love to be paired to interpret romance roles well?

I am a professional and can act with anyone I am cast alongside. I have no preferences as I believe every actor has what makes them unique and something different to bring to the table.

What do you do right to avoid sexual harassment?

I believe that everyone’s journey to the top is different.  I don’t compare myself with others, and I try not to be desperate. I weigh the pros and cons of every decision I make. Albert Einstein says “try not to be a (wo)man of success but a (wo)man of value. That has always been my watchword.

What really excites you about your acting job?

Apart from the fact that actors are doctors of the mind, an actor is also an inventor.  Actors not only heal individual minds but we heal societies by enabling them to start conversations on ills previously overlooked which we highlight in our stories, in order to look for positive change. Also, being an actor is a powerful job that has a godlike feeling. For instance, when you’re on the set, you can make your character. You can dance, laugh, cry, die, and so on. Acting is also one of rare careers that you can do even when you are old. There is no age for retirement and there is nothing like being too old to act. There are characters for every age.

You were once quoted in an interview that nudity is your passion. How true is this?

I cannot remember saying nudity is my passion. I am misquoted. I have no problem with nudity in movies however, as long as the movie is appropriately rated 18.

Fashion is about covering your flaws and flaunting if need be your good sides. What part of you wouldn’t you mind to flaunt?

I am a very health and conscious person, and I try to work out frequently. As a result, I am very comfortable in my own skin. I love my body, as I believe everyone should. We only get one body to live our lives in. I believe the sexiest thing a woman can wear is confidence, so what I do is even if I’m wearing a baggy tee shirt and jeans, I always make sure I have sexy underwear on to feel extra confident.

What would make you turn down a script?

If the story doesn’t excite me and make my creative juices flow, I may turn it down.

Who are those in Nollywood that inspired you?

My mother is the one who convinced me to become an actor. As a child, I was very shy and more science-inclined.  I had no friends. But each time I got home from school, I would imitate all my teachers and classmates to my mother and she would say, “one day you’ll make a good actress”. I grew up, heard this and decided to give it a try. Also, I had many toys as a child, and I would use them to act out dramas with my elder brothers and change my voice and accent for each one.

Who are you aspiring to be like in the movie world?

I am not aspiring to be like anyone else. As I said earlier, I believe everyone’s journey to stardom is different and unique. I have personal goals I would like to achieve however.

What are those lapses in Nollywood you would want to talk about?

Nollywood has come a long way, and has progressed much to the point of contributing about 2. 6 per cent to the nation’s GDP. However, we still have a long way to go. In the face of this oil price drop that is facing the nation, the creative sector stands toe to toe with manufacturing and agriculture as substantial sectors that can alleviate the country’s economic position. The time is now for us to up our game and improve on professionalism and distribution. We need to greatly improve on our distribution process to stamp down on piracy in order to entice the private sector to come in and bankroll movies. Because, at the end of the day, movie-making is good business.

When you had a heart-break, what did you do to wriggle out of the pains?

I threw myself into my work and got lost in my characters and their problems in order to forget my own. As I said, actors are mind and mood doctors, so I used my own medicine to cure myself. Importantly, I didn’t just jump into another relationship but gave myself some time as a single lady to learn to love and appreciate myself more.

What are the qualities of your ideal man?

I fancy men with high IQs. I like men who are fit and health-conscious by remembering to work out or exercise. Six packs never hurt anybody (laughs).

Are you looking at settling down soon?

Marriage is definitely in my consciousness and on my list.

What is your life philosophy?

My philosophy in life is live and let live. I dream and pray for world peace always. I try not to judge others by my own standards because only God knows who is right or wrong. I practise tolerance to all races, religions, sexual preferences, tribes and non-violent ideologies

What lesson has life taught you?

Life has taught me never to judge anyone by my own beliefs and moral stands because only God knows the truth. I don’t preach fire and brimstone to others who don’t share my beliefs and ideologies.

What puts you off people?

Hypocrisy! I like people who are true to their words.

When you are down, what do you do to derive inspiration?

I listen to music or watch comedy movies and stand up comedy. Also, exercise like swimming always bolster my mood as they aid my body in releasing endorphins, which are “feel good” hormones.

Besidesacting, what else do you do for a living?

I am an entrepreneur as well.

How do you think the world would have been without fashion?

Life would have been boring.  Fashion is a way of life and self expression. It is as important as our character and reputation because people judge you based on how you present yourself. Fashion doesn’t only mean buying expensive clothes; even your personal hygiene is part of your fashion statement.

What is your fasahion sense?

My fashion sense is very Afro-chic. I love African prints and most times I enjoy the freedom in wearing my hair natural. I try to spice things up most times so it’s sexy but not trashy. I see a kindred spirit in Solange (Beyoncé’s sister) when it comes to fashion.

 Can you define your style?

I am a bit of a bohemian when it comes to fashion because I don’t follow trends nor am I obsessed with labels. Rather, I work with what suits my body best and what reflects my African spirit and personality. I don’t follow vogue.

 What fashion item makes a larger part of your wardrobe?

I prefer one piece-like dresses and jumpsuits to trousers, skirts and tops. I usually tell ladies that if you have money to buy only one piece of fashion item, buy a dress, at least you’ll be dressed. I also love accessories and bags. Not quite sure, I have the popular shoe fetish.

 What is that style you won’t go close to and why?

None per se. I am very adventurous and will try most things once just to ascertain for myself if I like it. I like forming my own opinions.