Marriage really scares me – Uti Nwachukwu

Actor , TV presenter and model , Uti Nwachukwu , speaks to JOY MARCUS on his career , marriage and other issuesHow did you come into the entertainment industry ?

As a Big Brother Africa star, a lot of doors were opened to me . Inasmuch as I didn ’ t win the BBA 3 , it still gave me leverage in the entertainment industry . I have not always had interest in acting because my first love was music ; so, I always wanted to be a music star. Acting and hosting events came naturally to me , and I was doing it while in school . As for acting , I used to mimic a lot of people and my friends told me that I should become an actor .

What was your parent ’ s reaction when you told them about BBA ?

I didn ’ t tell them ; I only told my sisters . When I got back from the competition , they were proud of me but they said my dad was shocked . I made them happy though I was evicted the first time . Sadly , when I won the BBA 5 , my dad had passed on . It was a difficult year for my mother ; so , watching me in the house was the only thing that put a smile on her face .

Who gave you your first opportunity in the entertainment industry ?

I was given my first opportunity in acting ( movies ) by Ini Edo and Moses Inwang but for television series, it was Ruke Amata . For TV presenting , I was given an opportunity by Diamond Group Production on a show called , You and I .

How much were you paid for your first movie ?

As far back as 2008 , I think I was paid N 100 , 000 which was a huge sum as of that time ; especially for someone who was not even popular . I was surprised but I reasoned that it was because of the BBA platform .

If you have the opportunity , would you feature in Yoruba movies ?

I am an actor ; so, I should be open to playing any role . I can ’ t speak Yoruba but I can learn . There are actors in other countries that learn new languages for a movie . I used to say I would never do an epic movie but I ended up acting in my first epic movie this year . The movie is titled , Trials of Ma’ pe , and the reception was really great .

What is your view on the state of the Nigerian entertainment industry ?

I will like to see more government funding in the industry . The government should take the entertainment industry as seriously as they take the oil and gas industry . In advanced climes , entertainment industries get a lot of support from their governments . At this time , we ought to have a movie village ( in this country ) .

What are some of the challenges you face on the job ?

I would say time management because sometimes , you have so much to do in so little time . However , I love it because it keeps me going. I have been able to prioritise and learn how to work my way around the time .

Since you love music , do you have the intention of releasing any single or album soon?

For fun and pleasure definitely but ( not ) to make money from it hopefully . I make alternative music ; so, I will feature a couple of artistes that do same such as Simi and Adekunle Gold . Next year , I want to start featuring in more movies . I know I said movies don ’ t pay a lot but I have many friends who are also producers and they have started booking me for roles .

We hardly see you and Alex Ekubo on red carpets anymore , unlike before when the two of you were inseparable . Did you have a fallout ?

Can we move to the next question please ? I don’ t talk about my personal life in interviews .

Some of your colleagues got married in 2018 . When do you intend to settle down ?

I don’ t know when but when it happens , it happens . With the way people are marrying and getting divorced , one has to think twice before going into it . I have met more unhappy couples than happily married couples in my life . It is really scary because if marriage was such a beautiful thing , why are there many unhappy couples . If you check statistics , most married people are complaining . However , I will get married by God’ s grace . I will not marry out of my own understanding . I don’ t want to be a divorcee; so , I am taking my time . I am currently working on my patience and tolerance level . I am learning how to live peacefully because I am used to having things my way.

What were your childhood ambitions ?

I am living it right now . I grew up in Ughelli, Delta State , and my parents prevented us from playing with other kids on the streets ; so, they stocked the house with movies . This inspired me to become what I watched . The only thing remaining for me to be fulfilled is to cross to Hollywood ; then , I will be satisfied .

Which schools did you attend ?

I studied Computer Science and Education at the Benson Idahosa University , Benin City. I can actually practise and become a teacher . I finished well with a 3 . 9 GPA . If I wasn ’ t an entertainer , I would probably be working in a telecommunications firm 

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