While some Nollywood stars have littered their bodies with all kinds of drawings and piercing, Mimi Orjiekwe, tells Ademola Olonilua about why she would not dare write on hers.
From being a beauty queen you became an actor, what influenced that decision?
When I contested for Miss African Queen, one of the judges was a movie director and when he saw me, he convinced me to audition for a role and do my best in it. Even before then, when I was in school, I was always involved in the dramatic club, so when I got the opportunity to audition for a movie, I embraced it. That was how it all started for me.
How was the transition from the runway to television screen?
They are all different forms of entertainment and I have a passion for entertainment. If you love entertainment, you would want to do anything in the field. They are all in the same category. I would say that the major difference between the two is that acting is more emotional, you have to express yourself while acting but when it comes to beauty pageantry, you just have to walk pass people but also try to impress them and not fall in the process.
Why did you decide to go into beauty pageantry?
Being a beautiful girl, a lot of modelling agency approached me to join their agency. A family friend of mine, Temidayo, convinced me to give it a shot. He told me that I could be a beauty queen and I would excel, so I picked the form, competed in a beauty pageant and I won. That was the beginning. After then, I was invited to be a part for an advertising campaign but it was never my turf or what I wanted to do in life.
Since it was fetching you money why didn’t you stick to it?
When I was growing up, I never really had a clear cut idea as to what career path I wanted to toe in life. As a matter of fact, I always wanted to be a lawyer but when modelling and acting came, I dropped that idea. You do not know what God has in stock for you. I was supposed to study Law but it did not work out. I had to study some acting courses and when I got the opportunity to become an actress, I embraced it and I love the limelight.
You won the pageant in 2009 but you have not changed much, how have you been able to maintain your physique?
It is hard to stay in shape because as you grow, you tend to eat more food and if you do not exercise regularly, it would be difficult to keep your shape. Whenever I see any girl who is in shape, I always give them kudos because it means they really worked hard. Sometimes I grow bigger and other times I am slimmer. But I work out a lot and I watch what I eat. However, I have come to realise that it is not about what you eat but the hormones in you. If you want to remain beautiful and keep fit, you have to work hard. One has to work out daily, watch what you eat, embark on regular diets, and maintain your physique.
Has your beauty ever worked against you?
It has opened a lot of doors for me but it can also make people upset. If some people think you are beautiful and feel you don’t have their time or refuse to do their bidding, they get upset. It has happened several times. It is one of the challenges of being beautiful. If you need a favour from a man, he would believe it is the right time to make advances at you.
How often do you get advances from men?
I don’t know how frequent it is but I know that I get advances from men a lot. As a woman, it doesn’t matter whether if you are beautiful or ugly; men would always want to talk to you, so it is up to you to learn how to handle it. You have to be genuinely nice to people because sometimes, they do not want to woo you, they only want to be friends. I handle advances from men as an adult and I am nice to everyone. But if you take it further than friendship, then I will tell you it is impossible.
How do you maintain your skin?
I do not like the sun and if I must walk under the sun, I use an umbrella. I try to always be at places where the air conditioner is on. I use normal body mosturisers, nothing expensive. So I think it is by the grace of God that my skin glows.
How much do you spend on beauty products?
I can’t say I really spend much because I change my soap and cream as soon as they finish and I don’t keep records of that. I don’t use any facial wash or cleanser. I use facial scrub once in a while. I don’t spend much to be beautiful. I think you just have to use the right products on your skin to make it glow.
We have seen women bleach their skin just to be as fair as you, how do you react to that?
It is unfortunate and it happens because people are convinced their creams are good products and would make their skin glow and shine. They buy it, use it, then it burns their skin and they begin to regret their decision. I feel so sorry for them because it is not good for a woman to bleach. Bleaching disgusts men and even people who come around you. I always advise ladies not to patronise those who sell bleaching creams. You should not buy a product that you know nothing about. You need to go for a skin test to know exactly what suits your skin. Our skin is very sensitive and if you use a harsh product on it, it will definitely burn your skin.
How come you don’t have any tattoo?
I cannot draw anything on my body. I see my body as a Ferrari or a Bentley. You will never see anyone write things on such exotic cars. I keep my skin clean, I don’t want any tattoo on my body because I don’t need all that. I think if I inscribe something on my body, at a point, I might not want it any more so I don’t want to do something I would want to remove later in life and may not be able to.
How about extra body piercing?
I come for a very humble Christian background. It is not like there is anything wrong with extra body piercing but I grew up knowing my mother did not have an extra piercing on her body. She is my role model and I do not want to do anything she did not do. As the only daughter in my family, my mother was and still is the only one I look up to. I learnt how to shape my eye brows from her. She did not have an extra piercing. I copied that from her. When I was growing up and saw that my friends had multiple ears piercing, I liked it at a point but I made a decision not to indulge in it because my mother didn’t do it.
Since you were the only girl in your family, weren’t you a tomboy when you were much younger?
When I was in secondary school, people always said that I looked like a boy. We had a drama club in school and I was always asked to play the role of a man because I went to an all-girl’s school. They gave me the role because I acted it very well, all thanks to what my brothers taught me. I remember when I was growing up, we always played football and we wore just our boxers. I was always the goalkeeper and we did a lot of rough play. Then I did not have boobs. But that did not stop me from knowing I was a woman. It was a stage in my life; my early years and I miss those years so much. I did not care if someone was looking at me or what I was wearing. It never really occurred to me that I had to look good. I miss those days but I am happy that we grew into something better today.
What kind of clothes are you comfortable wearing?
I don’t like stress so I like something that is simple. I don’t care who made it, once it is comfortable and it fits very well, then I am good with it.
It seems you do not mind showing off your cleavage…
If you have it, flaunt it. But it does not mean I should show the world everything. I have to look sexy for myself. Nobody is stopping you from showing what you have but don’t look irresponsible.
Good girl like your way
And i smell bitterness in some commentsU0001f615
Even Bentley / Ferrari have logos on them. Don’t show your stupidity. Hide it and shut up. U0001f6b6U0001f3fb
MY GOD BLESS YOU FOR THAT IN JESUS NAME AMEN.
God bless u my dear for that
I love tattoo but couldn’t get dem U0001f62dU0001f62dU0001f62d
Which one be corruption again Or is it correction ?
The bible says,our body is the temple of Our lord and personal savior
How many Ferrari or Bentley have u seen in ur entire life? U0001f637
How so fast to judge?
Funny how Kim Kardashian said the same thing last year..exactly the same thing U0001f602
Thank you so much
Chika I respect your choice.sorry for the mix-up in my opinion and this goes to everyone concerned or affected.Stay cool pipo.
True talk fola,that is very true
My tattoo plans U0001f60dU0001f60d
Couldn’t say it better
Yeah, wrong choices for some, right choices for others. Its still a matter of your choice.
U are not hurting anyone dear u are right, but trust me u are hurting God, for doing that ,your body is the temple of God.
Just passing…but this “point of corruption” caught my attention… Lol
God bless you
Foolish look at yourself before saying that
Damn he’s fine U0001f648U0001f648U0001f648U0001f601
I love u dear
Tattoo is a personal choice,there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it….if u don’t like it don’t talk bad at people who value it…thanks. .Kim Cadman….go ahead and use my name in the next tattoo lolU0001f602
I love that
Even Ferrari has its own emblem how ..minus its quality..hocome u said it LOL!
God hates tattoo.
Pls don’t have tattoo on your body I like you
THATS SO STUPID OF YOU. GO GET YOURSELF A $700 TATTOO REMOVER IF THATS YOUR ISH. VILLAGE GALhttp://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnaija2ghana.blogspot.com%2F&h=EAQHNwqI3
She will soon die.
Your body is the temple of God that’s why can’t apply tattoo not Ferrari and Bentley. Besides tattoo is complete evil
You are right me the same as you tattoos means like something horrible on me
Kitty Defreitas thanks dear, I appreciate
I love that…personal choice that I won’t make.
You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.�Leviticus 19:29 #fear God
Gozilino Everist, So many things are wrong….putting tattoo on your body shows that you’re not responsible, how many president or a top political have you seen that have tattoo on their body.
Achieve your biggest aim, make the biggest money, send your children to whatever missionary school, be the most honest person ever, pay the biggest tithes in church but still with tattoo on your body, God still call it evil.
The body u care so much for u av already turned it to cinema house,story dat touch
are u serious
Ur own is different Halima pls
Sweet word dear. Keep it up
Why will you even like to have one on your breast? Huh? Your breast is the Boston and abode of God. U0001f602
I hate tattoos. I will never ever have one on my body
Leviticus 19:28 ” ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, no print or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord.” this is what the bible say about tattoos if you believe in it…. I also regret having a tattoo, I did not know about what the bible say…
It’s true that we aren’t suppose to judge people by their outer look but by behavior… But how you dress and look is how people will address you. You can’t expect anybody to call you an innocent gentleman when you look like a rugged thug drug dealer… There’s nothing wrong with tattoo except that it gives people a negative impression about you
good for u
It’s true that we aren’t suppose to judge people by their outer look but by behavior… But how you dress and look is how people will address you. You can’t expect anybody to call you an innocent gentleman/lady when you look like a rugged thug drug dealer/prostitute … There’s nothing wrong with tattoo except that it gives people a negative impression about you
I hate when people say some things they don’t like is from Satan. So your so called make up is from who?
you are what you made yourself, this is the statement of a queen. we know the difference between queens and heroes. most ladys today dont love their body they are destroying it with cream and tattoos.
I agree with her….
I love that
Haha some folk are stupid….Tattoo is evil? and bible is ?? grow brain and stop suffering!
Make up is quiet frm Tattoo so why dnt you read d message very well before commenting @Alfred Ajinke chin
Gregory Ugo how many verse did you maintain as it’s written in your do called bible
Tell them. Correct babe
omg this is so cool 😉
U are right dear
Your body is far more precious and way more expensive than any material thing!
Pamela Bawe- its my body and you body not our bodies. Do what you feel right for you bt dont hate based on what other people love and you hate.
Benny Flykid…I hate notice me guys. ..pls take a seat!!!!
Love ur tattoo and u are also cute #oneman’smeatisanotherman’spoison #
Ericson- whats worse btwn a tat and a stupid politician??
Zama Michelle thanks dear ❤️
Sparrow Bernard Oguguo. We don’t even know and you have started branding me a drug dealer with a thug looks U0001f602U0001f602 what a world
Nnoli Olivia thanks dear,, many choose to act righteous but deep down the are rotten
God bless u f dat
I have tattoos and im proud of them and hope to get more.
My body is a temple and I am the Goddess in which it is dedicated to. I will decorate it how I see fit 🙂
Your temple, your rules
Ericson McCarthy and who told you some politicians or president to have tattoo on their body. Do U expect them to be naked before you? What a gullible comment from you Ericson McCarthy
Ericson McCarthy ..so are u trying to say that all this big artist and celebrities aren’t responsible? Meanwhile is they any law that says no president or politicians can’t have tatt if they want?
Right!!! Do you see bumper stickers on a Bentley
Ok Ms Ferrari U0001f602
Good gone are does days
I wonder why pple are eating themselves up just becos someone said her mind… That’s her choice,
What doesn’t work for you, works for others.. it’s a matter of choice… as for me, I don’t like tattoos.. and I don’t wish to have any..
u a slow….u body is dust n unto dust it shall return…
Who ask u Madam?? Did she mention ur name when she said she can’t tattoo her body? And who asked u about how many kids u have and where u work??
It’s true ohh
If Your body like make e be Ferrari, Who You EPP…
In Other News, This Sharp don Cast ooo! E Maga don expose am.
http://goo.gl/YicB47
Oya see his name self, Busted!
May God bless you bro
Expensive cars usually have doors. Try covering up a bit before preaching to others.
Modesty goes a long way
Nwannemadu, u re so handsome
Onukube Iyke thank you brother U0001f4af
My dear is part of fashion in Nigeria
If you compare yourself to Ferrari that means you will soon Fade because Ferrari will never last forever …. only God win why not say you’re the image of God .#simple
Namco Mauritania
I will wait for God to judge me.
You re no God
Only God is the fair judge.
You re also human like me.
U gat it guy…#choices.
You don’t repaint a Bentley, you don’t scratch a Ferrari, it is simple. My body is expensive, just the way I avoid injuries I don’t use my money to buy a permanent scratch on my body
Philip Bright Simeon salute bruh
Okebugwu Chinenye Go you forget you can have accident with a Ferrari and damage it beyond repair
OMG, I DIDNT KNOW THAT NAIJANS ARE SO RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE.
. OKAY, NO OFFENSE MEANT.
I STILL LOVE AFRICA.
U re right dear its make someone looks local
U still cute thoo
Wats d difference between tattoo nd tribal mark, is it not d same cuts?
Ericson McCarthy nd his cohorts
Wats the difference between tattoo and tribal marks, is it not d same cuts?
Its funny how ppl always use the word of God when it comes to tattoos and say God will judge u etc yet they forget dat sex before marriage is a sin….,can ppl stop judging its pathetic if u don’t like da next persons decisions keep it to urself n remember da 10 commandments u break one u break em all
Bleaching is worse than tattoos pls, Aunty u shld have had this thought the day u chose to bleach ur skin abeg it’s all about choice. I don’t have tattoos but hubby has, I don’t bleach a that’s the skin that is very expensive not d one eroded with some chemicals /acid. Park well biko
YES (y) (y) (y)
Jessica Nosakhare And you are beautiful also ❤️