Popular actress,
Oma Iyasara, who joined Nollywood in 2011, is now a force to reckon with in the
industry She has featured in many movies and acted with big names like Hollywood
star, Hakeen Kae-Kazeem and screen diva, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde.
In this interview, Oma talks about
acting and her experience in the industry.
I can see a tattoo on your arm, how
many do you have?
I love tattoos. I have just two, one
on my arm and the other on my shoulder.
People tattoo very private parts of
their bodies with images of their loved ones, could you do that?
No, I am not that extreme. Life has
taught me so many lessons and I wouldn’t want to make mistakes. What if I
tattoo my husband’s name on my body and tomorrow he dumps me for another woman?
Talking about love, it seems you’ve
been through a rough time?
No, not really. But I have heard
stories, so I am very careful.
How did you come into Nollywood?
Growing up, I have always loved TV,
So, during 2011 (ASUU) Academic Staff Union of Universities strike, instead of
sitting at home, I attended Emem Isong’s Royal Arts Academy. During the programme,
I met a lot of directors and did auditions, and that was how I got my first
role in Uche Jombo’s Damage where I acted the role of a doctor. I was also in
Last Flight to Abuja with Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde.
What was it like acting alongside
Omosexy?
It was great! It felt good to see
and work with her, and be in the same room with her. However, Hakeem Kae-Kazeem
was closer to me. We bonded more with Hakeem because he was always with us on
set. But then, Omotola always encouraged everybody.
What did you learn from Hakeem?
He taught me to always get
comfortable with colleagues on set, no matter how big they are. He said ‘if you
are comfortable with them, you will have a better interaction with them on
set’. Initially, I was very nervous. For crying out loud, Hakeen Kae-Kazeem was
in the Pirates of The Caribbean and here was small me with him on set. I was
intimidated, but he made me comfortable and we blended.
How many were you in the family?
I come from a relatively large
family. We had plenty kids and two mothers. In Igbo culture, we don’t count
children. I am from a polygamous home and had two mothers. I try not to talk
about my family but it was a lovely polygamous home.
What was the experience like?
It was amazing. It is not like I am
encouraging polygamy, but we all blended together and treated each other as
one. Maybe it was because of the kind of person my father was. We all stayed in
the same house and it was a close-knit family. We found it difficult to say
‘this is my step brother or step sister’; we saw ourselves as one.
With your experience, could you be
second wife or could you share your man with another woman?
What works for Peter might not work
for Paul (laughter). I am possessive; I can’t share my man with another woman.
Tell us about growing up?
It was amazing. I went to the best
schools, had the best parents and grew up in the best environment you could
think of. Sometimes, I wish I did not have to grow up. Maybe I have Peter Pan
Syndrome (laughter). My childhood was so colourful, there were no cares and no
worries; it’s hakuna matata. But growing up comes with a lot of responsibility
(laughter).
What has been your most challenging
role to date?
Wow! That was my role in Triangle.
What made it challenging?
The sex scene made it challenging.
You were hot with Melvin in that
scene, how did you pull it off?
The director was determined that I
deliver but I was like ‘director, I am not a seductive kind of person’ and he
asked, ‘are you saying you have never seduced anybody before?’ And I was like
‘I don’t think I have.’ But he insisted, saying ‘just act it up.’ And for me,
it was strange because I was a tomboy growing up. So, it was quite challenging
doing all that, but I gave it my best and it turned out well.
Actresses shy away from acting such
roles, how come you were so daring?
If Angelina Jolie could go stark
naked for a movie role because it is her job, and everybody accepts it
including Nigerians, I don’t think showing a little skin would hurt anybody,
and besides, acting is my job.
Does that mean you could go stark
naked in the name of being professional?
I don’t no-o (laughter).
How would you rate Melvin romantically?
He’s a good guy and he’s lively. On
set, he was amazing and very professional.
Could you date Melvin?
Hmmm… I don’t like dating fine boys.
Let me be the only fine person in the relationship (laughter).
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