Ibrahim
Her beauty will surely make you take a second look, but her acting talent is what her fans love most about her. Juliet Ibrahim is one of Ghana’s most stylish and pretty actresses. She began her career after emerging as beauty queen in her home country over a decade ago. Like Nigeria’s own Omotola, Juliet is also married to a pilot. In a chat with Senior Correspondent, Hazeez Balogun at an event in Lagos, she talks about her career and life.
You are getting a lot of attention in Nollywood these days. Was it easy gaining a spot in the Nigerian movie industry?
I was already a known face in Ghanaian movies before I came into Nollywood. So, it wasn’t that hard for me when I got here. With the help of a few friends in Nollywood, I got the right contacts to audition for roles and got into the industry here in Nigeria. Nigerians welcomed me into their industry with open arms without caring about my nationality. That is one thing I always appreciate and respect about Nigerians. There was no brick wall or any form of bad blood. Everyone here is practically my friend.
Some say you are not actually an African but a Lebanese; some even say you are a Nigerian. Where exactly are you from?
There should be no issue about that. I have been asked many times and I keep saying that I am a Ghanaian. My father is a Lebanese and my mother a Ghanaian; hence I am of mixed race. But I am a Ghanaian through and through.
A lot has been said about your personality. Some say you are a snob and difficult to deal with. Tell us, who really is Juliet Ibrahim?
Juliet Ibrahim is a very down to earth lady; easy going, business-minded, determined, hardworking, family-oriented and a kind-hearted humanitarian, who does not like to be taken for granted; loves honesty and keeps very few friends. Don’t believe whatever you hear. Those who know me know the kind of person I am.
You have been doing movies for close to a decade now. Which role would you say is your most challenging and breathtaking?
I can say my most challenging role was when I acted as Princess Rihanna because I had to act the role of a snake princess and my colleagues had to stay in the same vicinity with snakes while filming that movie. I also had to hold a live squirrel in my hand for over 30 minutes in that movie and pretended that I was about to eat it.
How would you describe your experience so far? Do you have any regrets?
It has been interesting and very fulfilling since I got into acting. This is so because each day I learn new things about myself, the characters I play and my colleagues. No regrets at all.
What were your parents’ reactions towards your decision to go into full time acting? Any resistance from them?
My parents have always been very supportive of me. When I was a kid, my dream was to be a musician. When I grew up they always encouraged me. They bought me karaoke machines and allowed me to perform at several talent shows in school. Acting was not really a dream for me but being a role model to so many was a dream. I landed acting after I had won a beauty pageant in 2004 – that was the Miss Queen of Languages, and I was invited for a movie audition. I attended and got the lead role for the movie, Crime to Christ. Before you knew it, other producers started calling me for roles. And as they say, the rest is history.
What was your growing up like?
I grew up travelling from one country to another with my family because my father was a businessman in West Africa and each time there was war in any of those countries we lived in, we had to relocate and escape for survival to another country. So, growing up wasn’t that much fun for us because we kept losing almost everything we acquired along the line. However, we thank God for our lives every day and how far he has brought me in life today.
There is no question that you are a beautiful woman? Which part of you will you say you cherish most?
I cherish the whole of me, but I cherish my face more. Without my face I won’t be seen as Juliet Ibrahim.
Which part does your husband cherish most?
Aha, (laughs). He cherishes me in my entirety.
What was it like when you got married being a movie star?
Well, for me it was normal because even though people regard me as a star, I am still the same old down to earth Juliet my friends and family used to know back then. I haven’t changed and will not change.
Can you tell me how the love story began with your hubby?
Well, he is a pilot and interestingly we met on a plane and we dated for quite a while and he proposed in 2009. We have a son together now, Jayden, who will be turning two in December.
With your beauty some men would be asking you out even when they know you are married. How do you ward off such?
You are right but I cannot be telling you my strategy of handling them. If I tell you, those men will know the secret. But I do have my way of handling such men.
Doesn’t your husband get jealous of such situations or he is used to it by now?
We are all adults and as human beings, we do expect such things and handle such situations maturely. I and my husband are one and that is what matters.
Who was the biggest crush you had as a single lady?
I had a crush on Michael Ealy; I still do (laughs).
If not acting, what do you think you would have been doing?
I would have been singing by now if I wasn’t acting. But that doesn’t mean I am still not going to sing. I am releasing my first single before the year ends to fulfil my childhood dream.
Any retirement date set already for acting?
No; why? I am here to stay. I want to grow old with my fans. I can’t wait to see myself in my 40s playing someone’s mum.
You cut your hair low for a role; doesn’t your husband mind?
Yes. I sport a low cut now, and initially my husband didn’t like me cutting my hair but we have all got used to the new look. I love it. It is part of the profession. We should be able to go the extra miles sometimes to fit into a character.