Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe recently spoke against bias in the entertainment industry and a worrying notion that Yoruba actors and actresses are ‘razz’
The mother of two had a little sit down with Punch newspaper and spoke about her acting career and a couple of other things.
There are a couple of excerpts below:
IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, YOU HAVE ATTAINED NEW HEIGHTS IN YOUR CAREER. SOME OF YOUR FANS ARE OF THE OPINION THAT YOU NO LONGER FIT INTO THE YORUBA GENRE.
Some people write to me and request that I should feature in more English movies because they believe that only then will I gain more acceptance and recognition. My fans believe I’m not being appreciated in my sector. Will you eventually stop acting Yoruba movies? I can never stop acting Yoruba movies because that industry made me who I am today.
As a matter of fact, a lot of people don’t know I am from Edo State. When I began featuring in Yoruba films, I wasn’t speaking the language flawlessly, so I had to learn on the job. My industry is very accommodating and that is why I would always be grateful to them for accepting me and giving me a platform to excel. I also produced a movie titled Osas in order to connect with my Benin roots.
WHAT ROLES CANT YOU TAKE UP EVEN IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT?
I can never act Unclad because it is against our culture and my beliefs.
ON HOW SUPPORTIVE HER HUSBAND IS OF HER CAREER:
”Whenever I am overwhelmed with my business, career and family, he is always there to encourage me. He always recommends that I keep pushing.”
ON IF HE IS COMFORTABLE WITH THE ROMANTIC SCENES SHE TAKES PART IN:
”Yes, he is and I actually kiss in my movies. I was already an actress before I met my husband and he goes through my scripts. Sometimes, he chastises me for not kissing well in a movie. I could be on set for a week or more and he does not make an issue out of it. I know I married my friend and he is very understanding.”
ON KEEPING HER HOME:
”It hasn’t been easy and this is actually my second marriage. Before I got married to my present husband, I asked God to make this my second and last marriage because I want to stay married. Our marriage is under scrutiny all the time and a lot of people just want to find faults even when there are no faults. My previous marriage taught me to be more patient, tolerant and prayerful.”
Leave a Reply