kissing when it is not necessary or taking off clothes when it is not needed because you want to sell your self and make some money –Bhaira

Remember the winner of Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) Season 3? If you can recall the prominent role she played in the Super Story series, Evil Genius, maybe you will remember Bhaira Mcwizu, who has featured in many Nollywood movies. In this interview, she shares her experience on the Tinsel set, how she was able to survive the loss of her sisters and the love of her life. Excerpts…

What are you up to lately?

It is a personal season. I am trying not to work too hard, trying to have a vacation. It is the holiday season and I am trying to rest. It has been work, work, work. So I need time to relax and rest.

What is your take on s*ft p*r* in Nollywood?

Is it really in Nigeria or in Ghana? Well, the truth of the matter is that these things are gradually eating into our society. But I think it is not only restricted to acting alone. It also in music and so on. I guess it depends on the actor. What are your principles? What do you stand for? Are you just going to put off your clothes because you want to sell and make some money?

Does it make sense to you?

Some things have to make sense to me, like the lines. For instance, kissing when it is not necessary or taking off clothes when it is not needed. It’s just as if someone is trying to make quick money and I think that is the path they have chosen.

Can you take such role?

What type of role?

I don’t mean p*r* itself, but soft p**n?

Whether it is s*ft or hard p*r*, it still has p*r* in it (laughs). I have many people I look up to in the film industry, both local and international, and I don’t think they had anything to do with p*r* to get to where they are today. If they have to kiss or be intimate with their co-actors, yes, they have done that, but it is only acting and you have to do it. You can be seductive in a movie without taking off your clothes and people would want to see more of you. It is too in your face, and I don’t think they have found a way to go about because it is too cheap. So, it is not appealing and I don’t think I am cool with that. It just has to make sense at the end of the day and I don’t think it must have an element of p*r* in it.

What are the challenges you have faced as an actress?

I think that should be private, I guess. Any mistake I made was in the public. I usually want to go out and be alone by myself, but some of my fans would want to take pictures. I am not complaining. I am just saying there are times I just want to be alone. But aside that I enjoy my job, whatever challenges I have I welcome them.

Are you married now?

I don’t want to discuss my marriage.

No, let’s make it clear to your fans.

My fans know who I am and what I do. But the press seems to be making… In fact, I have no idea. I don’t know where that story came from. I don’t know how it originated.

Okay, but are you pregnant?

Of course, I am 13 months pregnant (laughs).

Jokes apart, are you pregnant?

It is a very good thing if I am, really.

So, how did the story come about?

I don’t know o. I don’t have any idea at all. Like I said earlier, privacy is something you don’t have in this profession; it is a challenge. I have heard all these and my family also heard. Good things are really happening, but I don’t intend to divulge them.

Can you share some of them with us?

I just said I don’t intend to divulge them. If I wanted to I would have told you.

Why?

Oh! Is that supposed to be your headline (laughs)? But like I said, very good things are happening and I am happy. You know my job didn’t allow me to have such moments, but my private life remains private. You know I am insisting because my life had always been an open book for the public. But that part of my life I don’t intend to share.

What part of your life are you talking about now?

My privacy.

Are you in a relationship then?

What kind of relationship? You have to be specific. Of course, I am a young woman and, of course, I have a relationship with my mother (laughs).

Okay, are you seeing someone or are you in an intimate relationship?

Yes, I do.

Is the person in showbiz, too?

No. Whether he is in showbiz or not doesn’t matter.

How did you meet him?

At salsa dancing and we started talking from there and became very good friends and intimate partners.

When you met on the dance floor, was it love at first sight?

See this girl o! You know love at first sight fades away quickly. But definitely there was a spark. You know, he is nice looking and smells really good. Who knows, but let’s see what happens.

Are you saying he swept you off your feet?

We were dancing. Of course, he swept me off my feet.

Have you ever faced a situation where you get carried away on set and have a crush on maybe a co-actor?

It has never happened to me. I can be very uptight. My mother complains about it too, saying I should try and loosen up. I take my job too seriously until the director says cut, it’s a wrap. I return to my real life. Seriously, what kind of life would I be living if I am on set and fall in love with every man I meet. You know there are diseases like HIV/AIDS. No, I have been blessed to work with professionals like Desmond, Van Vicker and the likes. With the level of professionalism these people bring on set, where is there time to fall in love?

Did you say you lost some family members?

Yes, I did. I lost two sisters. I think that was a redefining moment for me and I became a rebel when I lost my sisters.

Was it in an accident?

No, she fell ill suddenly and died. She was the person I looked up to and I had always wanted to look like her. She was the one that coined the name Bhaira for me. When she gave me that name I felt it would be cool to bear the name.

How about the other sister?

The other was much younger.

Was she also ill?

No, she just passed on.

Sorry about that.

It’s okay now.

Which living person do you admire most?

I like Rochas Okorocha. If you read about him you will know that I am not biased. I like Christine Laggard in IMF. If you read her story, it is awesome. But if you want to know the person I admire most, it is my mother to crown it all. I admire her courage and tenacity. She is strong and makes sacrifice for her children and other people.