I can’t marry an actor – Okojie

Fast rising actress,Ini Dima-Okojie,tells us about her career and love
life in this interview
Why did you decide to quit banking for acting?
I used to be an Investment banker. It was a good job that paid well
and I learnt a lot. I got to a point in my life where I felt a void
and I knew I wasn't fulfilled regardless of how much money I was
making. At first, it didn't seem logical to abandon a career I had
built and go off to pursue something that was just a passion. So, I
kept doing what I was doing for another year. Eventually, I applied to
the New York Film Academy just to all righteousness because I wasn't
being fulfilled as a banker anymore.
How did your parents take your decision to dump banking for acting?
I actually delayed telling my parents about it initially because I
didn't know how to break the news. I was about gaining admission to
the New York Film Academy before I told my mum. I told her a month to
the time I was travelling and surprisingly, she was totally in support
of the idea. She even told me she had sensed it before and supported
me fully. My dad had issues initially, but when he started seeing
things happen, he also came around eventually.
What kind of issues did you have with your dad?
He wasn't hostile towards me, but he just couldn't understand why I
wanted to leave a stable job for something as unpredictable as acting.
Did you always want to be an actress before you went into banking, or
did you develop the passion for it much later?
Well, I would say I found myself in investment banking; I'd always
wanted to be an actress.
So, why spend all that time studying Banking when you knew your
passion was acting?
My mum was a banker and my dad is a medical doctor; everybody was in
that academic lane and I guess I didn't want to be the odd one
initially. You know how Nigeria used to be. You're expected to study
banking, accounting, law and the likes when you go to school, then you
start working when you graduate. I guess I was just following the
perceived norm.
How has the journey been so far?
It's been tough. You have to deal with a lot as an up-and-coming
actor. People here don't associate with potential; they associate with
what and who is already established. I don't want to focus on that
negativity though. I just make sure I use every opportunity that I get
very well because I can only make my dreams come true through these
opportunities. I'm trusting God to keep bringing new projects my way
and I'll give my all to each one as it comes. I'm focusing on taking
it one step at a time right now.
Don't you miss the steady month-end income you used to get as a banker?
Of course, I do. That was one of my initial fears, but you have to pay
your dues and make sacrifices for your dreams to come true. It's not
easy, but I know I'll be fine. I'm ready.
How far would you go to become a star, can you act nude?
Everyone has their own moral codes and I believe in setting boundaries
for whatever one does in life. This helps you stay grounded. I don't
like to give definitive answers to anything in life, but as of today,
I wouldn't do a nude movie. For semi-nude or romantic scenes; well, I
wouldn't want to take anything out of a story. So, if it is tastefully
done, I mean, if the director and production team know their onions,
and it is an important scene to the story, of course, I'm ready to do
it. The emphasis is on it being professionally done. I'm not keen on
having nude pictures flying around because I'm not a porn star.
What do you think makes you stand out from every other actor?
I focus on myself because I have a passion for this. I went the extra
mile by going for quality training at the film academy, and believe
me, schooling in New York was not a walk in the park. It was very
expensive, and the first month I was there was tough. I lived in
Queens and my school was in Manhattan. That is extremely far. I had to
wake up every morning by 5 so I could jog in the cold to catch the bus
to the subway where I would take the train into the city. It was
really not easy at all.
Are you married?
No, I'm not married yet.
Are you in a relationship at the moment?
No, I am not in any relationship presently. I'm single.
When did your last relationship end?
I'm not a 'serial-dater.' My last relationship was in 2010. I've been
single for the past five years.
What do you look out for in a man?
Well, every girl likes the 'tall, dark and handsome' fantasy. But,
when it comes down to the real deal; someone loving, understanding,
and God-fearing. Someone that respects me and what I bring to the
table and someone I can respect as well.
Can you date someone in the movie industry?
That's tricky. If it's all up to me, I would rather not. I'm so
focused at the moment and I don't want things to get messy. The
attention on our lives would be too much strain on the relationship
for me and eventually something might go wrong. Love is crazy and
unpredictable though, and you can't really choose who to love. But,
left to me, I wouldn't date an actor.
If you end up with a very wealthy boyfriend who insists you quit
acting, what would you do?
Well, that's why I said my man has to respect what I'm bringing to the
table. I didn't make all these sacrifices just to sit somewhere to
count some rich guy's money.
How many productions have you featured in so far?
I've been in a couple of productions. My first was a telenovella
titled 'Taste of Love.' After that, I did 'Desperate Housewives,'
'Vendetta' and I just wrapped up 'Death Toll' with Alex Ekubo and IK
Ogbonna.
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