‘My strategy was prayer and divine connections’ – Adesua Etomi on becoming a Nollywood star

• She also opens up about her friends, 'The Wedding Party' and more.

Etomi

The Wedding Party and Knocking on Heaven’s Door star, Adesua Etomi in an exclusive interview with The Guardian Life opens up about her career, friends, The Wedding Partyand more.

According to her, her circle of friends is a very small one even though, through her charming smile, she attempts to be friendly with everybody.

Read excerpts from her interview below:

On what her strategy was when she came into the Nollywood industry:

‘I didn’t come here thinking I am going to meet this person and meet that person, my strategy was prayer and divine connections. That was what I was going for, I wasn’t trying to look for who was going to help me or give me a handout.

‘I knew what I wanted to become and I didn’t know how I wanted to get there but I knew the things I didn’t want to do to get there. I knew there were certain things that were associated with success and that’s preparation, staying prepared, keeping the work at the forefront of everything that I do.’

On how she got her role for The Wedding Party:

‘I auditioned just like everybody else. On the first day I came for the audition I read with three guys, so that’s three different stages then on my fourth audition stage I had to read with Banky and that’s when I got the role and that was when he got the role too because he went through the audition process as well. He had to read with myself and someone else before they finally decided on myself and him for the final pick.’

On her inner circle:

‘I’m very particular about my inner circle, you can count my closest friends on one hand and that’s because I believe you just need a few good friends, I am very friendly to everybody else.

‘Also my family, my mum, those are the people that keep it all together for me and they are always there and you can’t beat that.’

On how she balances her job:

‘I just do it. As I’m talking to you since the beginning of this year, I have worked every single month, I have shot in South Africa for two months. I came back and went to shoot for a month in Nsukka.

‘I just remember that I am a vessel and I just have to keep going because I owe it to myself, the fans and people that love watching what I do to do this. I also try to make a conscious effort to take a break, so once I am done with my projects towards the end of July, I’m going to give myself a little break and then come back.’

On her plans for the future:

‘At some point, my ten-year plan, maybe even less, is to open an orphanage, I love children and I am very passionate about people and children that need help, so I feel like I am going to be a mum to many.’

This post first appeared on TNS.