Belinda Effah appears like the girl next door, but she is packed with talent and creativity. The actress cum TV presenter first hit TV screen as a housemate of The Next Movie Star Reality TV Show in 2006, where she finished 5th. In this interview with TOPE OLUKOLE, the graduate of Genetics and Biotechnology speaks about her passion for acting, among other interests.

How did you get the role in the Soap, Tales of Eve?
I got the role to play Simi through facebook. I usually post pictures of jobs I have done, in the past, on the social networking site. I learnt from the producer that he was going through my profile and he saw a picture that I took in a movie where I played the role of a village girl. According to him, I had the characteristics that he was looking for and so he left a message for me on the facebook. The rest is history like they say.

While auditioning for Tales of Eve, were you confident you would be selected for the role?
I went for the casting of Tales of Eve with a high spirit; I went with a male friend, in case it was not real. I met with the producer, technical director and the production manager. I was asked to play out different roles which I did comfortably well. I could only help but notice the smile on everyone’s faces. I left the venue of the auditioning with the producer telling me he will get back to me. You know that is the usual line you get when you go for auditions and interviews, but I was not worried. Later on, during the same week of the auditioning, I got a call that I had been given the role.

What really made you accept the role; was it the script or the cast?
I accepted the role because it was kind of a wake up call and an opportunity for me to get into the industry. I had been passive in the industry as I had to contend with a 9-5 job. I had always looked for a good opportunity to fully come back to the industry. So, when I read the script and found it very touching, I thought it will serve as a good opportunity to bounce back into reckoning.

How challenging has it been, featuring in Tales of Eve?
It has really been a huge challenge for me as I have been out of the scene for a while, but deep down I always knew I could do it. The role is so emotional that I have to be seen crying all the time. It was a challenge because I watch people cry on TV and I feel like it’s a huge joke. So, I want a case whereby I will draw the emotions of the viewers because I hope to build a huge fan base. I had to cry that much so people can feel my pain. I also had to go to that extent so people can understand what victims of rape go through.

What does acting mean to you?
I will not be exaggerating if I said acting is my life. I studied Genetics and Biotechnology and ended up acting. Acting is like the air I breathe and it’s very personal to me.

How far do you intend to go in the world of make-belief?
As far as the world of make-belief let me.

How many major movie or TV productions have you featured in?
I have featured in a few major productions; when I first ventured into the industry, that was in 2007, I struggled for a year and when it seemed too stressful, I decided to take a break and try again later. That was how I took on a 9-5 job, I will like to say that the major jobs I have done are still in the pipe-line and will be out very soon.

Why did it take you so long to feature in a major TV production?

It didn’t take me so long to feature in a major TV production, as I am not in charge of the final production or when it would eventually go on air. I am only paid to do my job and after that, whatever the production team decides to do with the material is their business. Most of the jobs I mentioned have not been released and I cannot force the producers to release them as they have their reasons for not doing so. I only hope that in due time they will be released so people can see that I have been working.

You were once a presenter on Soundcity, why did you stop presenting on TV?
Soundcity was a good platform for me and I will have to give them the credit for unveiling my potential in TV presentation, which I had never done before. Well, I have not stopped presenting on TV as I currently have a show on TV called Lunch Break with Belinda. I love presentation and I will keep doing it as long as time permits.

Aside acting and presenting on TV, what other talents do you have?
I can also write and I am working on harnessing that talent of mine, because I love and admire writers. I feel writers are the voices of a nation, and depending on how creative you write, you can present to people a better understanding of things

Which is more comfortable for you; acting or presentation?
Any day any time, I will always tell you my strength is in acting; as a little girl, I used to play out roles in my head while I will imagine the audience, I also write short stories of my imagination. I will say I stumbled upon presentation and I found out that I love it, but my strength is in acting.

Would you say your time as an ex- housemate of the Next Movie Star Reality TV show in 2006 has helped your career in any way?
Oh yes! In more ways than one. The Next Movie Star opened my eyes to the reality of acting, if I thought I was an actress before The Next Movie Star, then I was a joker as I learnt a lot of things from being a part of the show. It taught me that putting up an act is not about coming and acting, but about assuming the character and becoming the character, so much so that you will leave your audience spellbound as to who you really are. If you carry a character so well, you cease to be yourself but the character you are playing.

One of the major challenges for young actresses like you is the fact that you do not get enough major roles. What do you think is the cause of this anomaly?
That is a very interesting question. I believe the problem at hand is applicable to every industry in the world. If you are looking for a job as an accountant, you have to get some level of experience before you are taken seriously. No one wants to jeopardise his business because of a greenhorn. When you are able to prove what you have, then people will acknowledge you. For instance, if you go for a job interview as a fresh graduate and you are being asked for 10 years experience, where are you supposed to manufacture that from? For me, in as much as it is a challenge, I see it as a hurdle that I have to cross, it means there is something I am not doing right. Everything will fall into place with time, as long as you are dedicated. The keyword is patience; a lot of young actors want to become superstars overnight, forgetting they have to earn it.

What was growing up like for you?
Growing up was fun. I grew up in a home filled with love, laughter and loads of foods. My father was still in the Navy then, hence, we had a strict upbringing. My mother is a businesswoman.

When actually did you discover you had the talent for acting?
I always knew I could act since I knew myself and understood the essence of life. For me, it was more like wanting to express the hidden talent in me and the things I perceive around me. So, I always found myself playing out different characters.

While you were growing up, were you attracted to celebrities and celebrity shows?
I was not really attracted to celebrities and their show. Back then in Calabar, NTA and CRBC didn’t run 24 hours and they had limited shows on air. I watched more of cartoons and Tales by Moonlight than any other shows they had to offer. I don’t think they had any of the shows that we are used to watching now. But what I was attracted to was fashionable people, the way they dress and portray themselves. I used to admire my mother’s friends, who I considered fashionable. My mother has always been a fashionable woman, so I watch her closely, how she paired and combined her clothing and make-up.

What makes you tick?
What makes me tick? I am a goal-oriented person and a perfectionist, that’s my weakness really. So, every day I wake up with the thought that I have not yet achieved my goal.

Have you had any major setback as an actress?
Well, I don’t know what you consider major and minor, as a setback is a setback. I have had setbacks, of course, and it’s just the challenge that you mentioned earlier. But I am getting past that now, that’s not to say that challenges do not crop up now and then. But as human beings, we should always envision things like that and come up with ways of managing them.

What do your parents think about you and your acting career? Are they in support of your decision to become an actress?
My father always wanted his kids to go to school so that no matter what happens in the end, you’ll always have something to fall back on. Going to school was major and after completing my education, I automatically got the ticket to plunge into whatever profession that I wanted, with supervision of course. My parents have 14 children, so I guess one venturing into acting will not be really noticeable.

While in school you were in the sciences, how come you took to acting?
You know I get that question all the time and I really have not come up with a good enough answer, other than to say it is where my passion is. I studied Genetics and Biotechnology, as a second option, my first option was to study medicine. At that the time, it was just cool to say I want to study Medicine, but at the end of the day you’ll only have what fate has in store for you.

Medicine totally turned me down, so I opted for what was closest to medicine, which was Genetics and Biotechnology. Of course, I later fell in love with the course as it exposed my mind to several things as to the functionality of the human being and the genetic composition of living things. But Genetics is a field yet untapped in Nigeria, there are several things we could do with my course of study but if I had to continue with what I studied, then I will have to travel out of Nigeria to do that and for me, right now, it’s not a strong  option.

What kind of movie will make you put in your best on set?
Any movie I accept to do, I will give it my best. For me I like challenging roles not the usual girlie role. I will like people to see me in different light. That is, playing different roles and playing them very well. The one thing that make The Next Movie Star so memorable was when I had to play the role of a guy and I totally had to transform myself to look like  a guy which I did convincingly, considering the fact that I used to be a tomboy.

How much will it cost to get you on set?
I will very well say that I am very affordable; I don’t want to scare the producers away. I am still fresh and growing, so I am affordable.

Are you in any relationship at the moment?
You know there is a difference between the make belief and the real life. While you have me on the make-belief, enjoy me, but as for my real life, it’s very private and I like to keep it that way, no offence meant.