Leaving my job in London for Nollywood remains my boldest step in life - Rita Dominic
Rita Dominic
Born July 12, 1975 Rita Uchenna Nkem Dominic
Waturuocha, known to her adoring fans as Rita
Dominic, always knew she’d be in the limelight. As a child she was a slave to music, entering and winning in several dance competitions and expressing herself vocally through means of traditional music. As she matured, Rita developed a deeper sense of appreciation for the arts and to fulfill her curiosity began studying at the University of Port-Harcourt.
She finally discovered an art with a hybrid of all her talents in acting and began her promising career in television programmes such as Children’s Variety and Junior Opinion. As time passed and her repertoire grew, Rita began receiving various offers and commanding attention from well known Nigerian directors. Debuting in her first movie A time to Kill in 1998, Rita exceeded the expectations of her co-workers and fans began to take notice of this alluring actress. Since then she’s become a household name in Nigeria and is one of the most sought actresses in the Nigerian movie industry to date.
What would you have done if your name were listed among the banned stars?
I would have wondered what I did wrong to warrant my being banned. I would have also wondered what went wrong. I would have taken the bull by the horns if it had happened to me and do something else. Maybe, go back to London and continue my job there.
As a top actress, are you in support of the ban or not?
How do you want me to answer that question? In fact, no comment.
Are you afraid to speak your mind?
No, I’m not afraid. I don’t want to comment on it now. I will speak at the appropriate time.
What are you doing presently?
Presently, I’m very busy recording movies. It is what I like doing anyway. I’m also coming out with a very big project very soon. Not an NGO, but something that will shake the Nigerian showbiz scene. Let me not say much on it till I’m ready to explode.
What would you say is the secret of your meteoric rise in Nollywood? How did you do it?
Sincerely speaking, I have paid my dues; my first movie was done in 1998. I don’t consider that period till now a short period of time. My Guy was my first movie courtesy of Basorge Tariah.
As an up and coming actress then, what were the major difficulties you encountered?
My major difficulty then was breaking into the mainstream, because I was one leg in, one leg out in Nollywood. I was not really into it. Sincerely speaking, nobody harassed or intimidated me sexually then and even now. I came with a focused mind. Nobody ever approached. And if anybody had dared me, I would not have taken it lightly with that person. I don’t take nonsense from people.
Now that you are at the top of your career. How does it feel?
It’s interesting, especially when you know where you were coming from. I started acting and singing when I was a kid. But I don’t think I’m even at the top of my career yet. I’m still working hard everyday to remain at the top.
Did you ever envisage that you would get this far in Nollywood so soon?
No! For me, it happened like a dream. After My Guy in ’98, I relocated to London and came back in 2003 for holiday that was just for two weeks. I had the intentions of going back to my work in London, but a casual visit to Chico Ejiro’s office changed the whole thing. And since then, I have not gone back to my work. The industry arrested me after doing that movie entitled LOVE YOU FOREVER, for Chico Ejiro. I finally decided to stay when most of my colleagues and fans started telling me not to go back to London
As a child growing up, was acting what you dreamt of doing for a living?
My parents saw this trait in me and supported me from the outset. As a kid, my family and pals always gathered to watch me dance or sing. My mum also bought me many books on acting and singing then. I went to many kiddie’s programmes then. My parents are proud of me and actually supported my choice of career.
Like how many times have Nigerian men broken your heart in your quest for love?
Just once. And when it happened then I felt my whole life was going to crumble. But I feel very funny when I look at the whole thing today.
Talking about Nollywood movies, like how many have you starred in since your arrival in 1998?
I’ve lost count, but I know it is close to 100.
Does that mean you feature in every script that comes your way?
No! I must see the full script before I go on set. I can only go on set when I’m down with the storyline. I have also turned down quite a number of scripts for not conforming to standards
Tell us more about your background?
No problem, anybody that wants to know about my age should visit my website. I grew up in different places like Kwara State, Aba, Port Harcourt, Owerri and London. I’m from Aboh Mbaise, Imo State. Mom is deceased She died in 2001. Dad lives in London. And as the last child, mom’s death was and still painful to me. We are just four, one boy and three girls.
As the baby of the house, were you spoilt and over-pampered?
I was not spoilt or over-pampered. We were raised in the strict Catholic ways and background.
Why are you still single despite your fame and fortunes? Doesn’t that bother you?
Hmmh! I don’t know.
Are Nigerian men scared of you?
I don’t know!
Now that you are not yet married, what kind of husband will appeal to you when the time comes?
I want a man like me as a husband. I like a man that has much respect for family values. My man should also know when to draw the line between playing hard and working hard. A man with a good dress sense also appeals to me.
What do you like most about being famous?
Stardom? What I like about it? Do I really like anything about being famous? It’s full of ups and downs. As a star you don’t have a private life, you live your life for the public. Stardom denies you the opportunity of moving and doing things freely like every other person.
In Nollywood today, who would you say is your most respected actress?
They are two Joke Silva and Liz Benson. I also admire and respect Elder Steve Rhodes and Olu Jacobs much.
If given the chance, who among the Hollywood stars would you love to act alongside with?
Many of them. Nicole Kidman, Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie and finally Robert De Niro. I love these stars so much. I’m very positive about acting with them all or few of them someday.
You like wearing weird afro-hairstyles always. Any reasons?
No special reasons. I like it so because it suits me. But I also wear other hairstyles.
Why did you drop your real surname, Nwaturuocha for Dominic?
I did not drop Nwatururocha. It was dropped because many people, who were not Igbo, could not pronounce it. Besides, it was too long. So, we all agreed and opted for Dominic, which is my dad’s name.
You must have taken some bold steps in life today. What would you say is the boldest step you have taken in your youthful life?
Deciding to abandon my job in London and stay back in Nollywood remains my boldest step in life today. That decision was not easy for me to take. It was a positive step, which I also never regretted till date.
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