Yvonne Okoro, the Nigeria/Ghana-born actress, who has become one of the most sought-after actresses in Ghana, spoke with ADUNOLA OLADAPO on her personality and her ideal man.

Can you tell us about yourself?
 Well, my name is Yvonne Chinyere Okereke Okoro. I am the first child of my mother, and the fifth of my parents. I attended Achimota Preparatory School, it was then known as Lincoln Community School. Later, I went to Faith Montessori School. I had my Senior Secondary School at Mfanstiman Girls Senior High School. Then of course University of Ghana, Legon, where I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Linguistics, and finally  I went to France to study  Press Civilisation, Drama and Marketing. I started acting professionally after my Senior High School Education in 2002, and my first movie was Sticking to the Promise. I have lost count of the movies I have featured in since then.

Are you a Nigerian or Ghanaian?
I am an African. It does not matter if I am a Ghanaian or Nigerian. The most important thing is I’m a citizen of the world. But my dad is a Nigerian from Abia State and he is an Ibo man and my mum is Ghanaian; she is a Fante.

Was acting a dream of yours as a child or you just dabbled into it?
I wanted to be a journalist, believe me. That was like one profession I really used to love. When I was a kid, there was GTV, which is Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), and they used to have what looked like evening announcements and they would write it and it comes onto the screens.

I used to practise how to read it and my favourite idol, a news anchor, was Brabra Sam, now Brabra Gaisia. There was this other woman, I can’t remember her name. I used to love Brabra. She is so gorgeous, calm and classy and she reads so well. I admire her and wished to be like her someday, but you know man proposes while God disposes. Here I am today acting, though I used to love journalism. 

How would you describe your personality?
I am a very reserved person. I’m somewhat family-oriented. I’m more or less like an introvert. I’m always at home and always like to read and watch movies. I’m quite boring, in short. But then there are days that I’m extroverted and all loud.Yes!

What drives you crazy?
Well, a friend who is fake or somebody who is fake. I hate pretence.

What’s the most important thing about you?
It will probably be my family. My family is the most important thing to me. They are my rock. It is just my family because without them, I won’t be here. They are so supportive. They are like my support system in everything I do, not just in acting. My mum and my sisters are my best friends. That woman is the greatest mum ever, so are my sisters.

You love reading, so what books have made a big impact on you?
Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson. That book made a lot of impact on me. It is about adapting to situations and people who are caught in situations, and they just can’t seem to adapt fully. It makes you more broad-minded and know that it is not every situation that will be favourable to you. You have to make it favourable to you.  

How do you usually react when you are suddenly under pressure?
I sweat a lot. I can’t stand it when there are too many people and camera men in front of me.

What’s something you regret losing, selling, or giving away?
That has to be my dresses. I always give my dresses out when I put on some pounds or when I buy new ones.

Who’s the most famous person you have ever met and the one you’d like to meet next?
It is probably Jude Law. I saw him at the Cannes Films Festival and I said ‘hi’ and he replied ‘hi.’ That would be the most famous person I have probably met. I love him. Who again...? (Laughs) I will love to meet Al Pacino. I’m his big fan.

What kind of movies do you like watching?
I watch a variety of movies— classic, drama, thriller, comedy, anything, so far as it is a good movie.    

What’s something you’ve done that surprised even you?
That was when I pierced my mouth. It was the most painful thing I ever did. I shouted so much that everybody downstairs came up. I was in tears. But I think it was an experience I won’t like to repeat.

Those things you admire most about your best friends?
My best friends, once again, are my mum and my sisters because of their loyalty. They are loyal. For them, there is no competition and they are people who really want you to succeed. They don’t mind if you look better than them. I admire their loyalty.

That thing about yourself that you hope will never change?
That’s me. The character I am will never change. Before and after I went into acting, I had stayed true to myself, my root and who I am; that is the thing I won’t change about myself.

What goals have you recently set for yourself, and what are you doing on them so far?
I’m about to star in a movie and I decided to lose weight because it is very important for me to lose weight for that role that they wanted me to play. I did and I lost some weight. I lost about five kilogrammes but the shooting was postponed and I have since regained some weight. but I going to lose it by the time we will be shooting. That’s the thing about me, if I set my mind on something I pursue it vigorously and passionately.

To what extent do others’ beliefs influence you?
I live for me. I do what is important to me, what is important for my family and what is important for the people who believe in me as a role model. That’s just me.

At what time of the day do you feel at your best?
When I have taken my bath in the morning and I’m just relaxing in my room and watching a movie and the whole place is all cool and quiet.

Who is your ideal man and what attracts you in a man?
I’m a very jovial person, I really love to have fun sometimes. I wouldn’t want to be in a relationship with someone who is too serious and uncomfortable with that side of me. When a guy approaches me, what I first look out for is neatness and politeness. Of course, he should be God-fearing too. I am a very jealous person. When I am dating, I give it my all, so my guy doesn’t have a problem with infidelity. I am a trustworthy person and I’d expect the same from him, but of course I will let him have female friends. He should also understand the essence of communication, because it is important in any relationship. Likewise, he should understand the nature of my job. He must know how to make me laugh.

Is there any man in your life at the moment?
Yes, God is in my life and He has been in my life for a very long time. But I will try and let it remain my personal life. My public life will remain my public life. So, if there is any announcement that I think I should make public I’m sure you will be one of the first to know.

Who is the first person you tell when something good happens to you?
It has to be my mum and my sisters.

In what situations are you most uncomfortable?
When there are a lot of people and cameras. You won’t believe it because I am an actress but that’s the truth.

Which of the five senses do you treasure most?
Sense of taste and smell.