Sylvya Oluchy is an award-winning Nollywood actress who has
featured in movies like: Finding Love; Lekki wives season 2; On Bended Knees;
Alan Poza; Bent Arrows; Facade; Happy Family Season 4; Secrets and Scandal Season
5 and Being Mrs Elliot.
In this interview, the Theatre Arts graduate of Nnamdi
Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State said that competition has helped her
and she speaks on her career.
Growing up
I was born and raised in Abuja. My
parents are Dr and Mrs C.R Ezeokafor. I am the youngest of six children. I am
from Anambra State. Growing up was fun. We travelled a lot when I was very
young because of my dad’s job. I attended three different primary schools in
London, Lagos and Abuja, respectively. I attended secondary school at School
for the Gifted in Gwagwalada, Abuja. I loved riding my bicycle and playing with
my Barbie doll and other toys. I didn’t have a lot of friends because I was
very shy and kids always teased me about my big eyes and deep voice.
Foray into acting
Like I said, I didn’t have a lot of
friends growing up. So whenever I got home I would imitate all my teachers to
my mum and act out the bullying from school with my toys, while changing my
voice for each character. My mother would watch me and say “acting will fit
you”. As a socially awkward child who was science inclined as most glass
wearing nerds are, I didn’t believe her. When it was time to sit for Joint
Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, my mother said “try Theatre
Arts”. I did and I fell in love with it and the rest is history. My career as a
professional actress started when I was in the university. During the holidays,
I would go to Enugu to attend auditions. That was how I actually got my first
role. But it was part time then because of school. After National Youth Service
Corps (NYSC), I moved to Lagos and I’m now a full time actor. I’ve been acting
full time for about four years now. My first movie is entitled Xoza. But my
first lead role which I won my first award for is Bent Arrows. I don’t know how
many movies I have done because I was never counting really.
How I was able to win my dad’s support
I didn’t have my dad’s support at
first and that was because my dad has PHD in Economics with Law as a second
degree. He wasn’t too keen on my mum encouraging me to act but now he has seen
my performances on TV, he is my biggest fan and supporter, more so that my
mother is late.
Challenges faced as an upcoming actress
My first challenge was my
location. The entertainment industry is mostly situated in Lagos. So being in
Abuja wasn’t really doing me any favour career-wise. When I moved to
Lagos, I had a hard time adjusting to being away from all my family and
friends, and also finding my way around wasn’t easy. I would get a call saying
“come to Surulere”, and when I ask “where is Surulere?” People would look
at me as if I was mad.
Coping with competition
Competition is very healthy and it
motivates me to step up my game regularly. The competition is stiff now and it
is not easy but it depends on your outlook in life. You can either choose to
see it as an unwelcome obstacle or see it as something that will make you
stronger and better. I believe it’s hard because the rewards are so sweet.
Nothing good comes easy as they say. And what doesn’t kill you makes you
stronger.
Pains and gains of being a celebrity
Hmm! I have never been asked this
question before. The gains are obvious, as the word celebrity goes; you get
celebrated wherever you go and there are financial benefits too. The pains,
though I don’t consider them as pains because they come with the job and are
just the other side of the coin of being a celebrity, is the pedestal of
scrutiny you are placed on. Everyone feels free to weigh in on your life
and choices. People see you and demand your attention irrespective of the
situation because they feel they know you because they often see you on screen.
Most embarrassing thing a fan did to me
A guy once slapped my behind, I was
angry and turned around to confront him only for him to tell me with an air of
authority that; “I’ve been admiring it in all your movies, I’m a fan”. It
wasn’t funny though.
Definition of style
Style is a definitive statement of
your personality. It is an expression of how we see ourselves and an impression
of how we want others to see us. I’m not into trends, in fact if something is attending
or en vogue, that is a good enough reason for me to not wear it. I prefer to
standout and I like to create my own style. My style is very Afro-chic because
I like to incorporate a bit of African flavour into whatever I wear either by
wearing a lot of Ankara, putting on beads or rocking my natural hair. I also
love bright colours. I am a woman of colour after all.
Beauty regimen
I believe beauty comes from the
inside. Hence I’m not into too much products. I exercise regularly (I practice
yoga not gyming), drink plenty of water; exfoliate my skin twice a week. I use
homemade coconut oil and Shea butter only on my skin and hair. Most importantly,
I make a conscious effort to think only happy thoughts by chanting my mantras
of “smiles only, be simply optimistic” to myself when I’m down.
Favourite designers
I don’t think I have any favourite
designer for now. I simply love good but well fitting clothes that accentuate
my best features.
Favourite perfumes
I’m not a creature of habit. I
have so many good perfumes. I seldom use the same one twice because when you
use one particular perfume all the time, you stop perceiving it on yourself.
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