Rita Tony Edochie, is doubtless one of the finest Nigerian actresses. In this chat with LUCY EZELIORA at Asaba, at a movie location, this extremely pretty woman spoke about her life as a mother of four lovely children and how she is often mistaken for the wife of the popular actor, Pete Edochie. Sit back and enjoy this very interesting interview.
Rita Tony Edochie
Who is your husband?
He is Tony Edochie; Pete is actually my husband’s elder brother.
Did your brother-in-law influence your way into Nollywood?
On the contrary, I struggled my way into the movie industry. Granted, he established the name but if I don’t do well in auditions, I don’t get roles because of his influence.
You have acted in several movies with him as husband and wife. How come?
He is like a father to me aside being my brother-in-law. I do enjoy acting with him and such roles appear so natural on account of our closeness.
Aside the Rita Edochie, we see on movies, who exactly are you, off the screen?
I am Rita Tony Edochie. Some people have this notion that I am a divorcee but I can proudly tell you that I am not and I can never be. I am an actress, a proud mother of four (two boys and two girls). One of my daughters is married and I’m a proud grandmother. I also manage my home and profession properly.
Is it true that ladies, especially in Asaba, pay producers for roles in movies?
Ladies in Asaba can go to any length to get a role in a movie. They give producers money, furnish their homes, buy them cars just to appear in a movie. Things are very different from what was, when we started. Instead of the girls going for auditions as we did in our time, they go from one hotel to the other these days looking for executive producer’s and producer’s rooms. The funny thing is the men would sleep with the girls and still not feature them in their movies because they lack the talents. Forget what a lot of them say about producers refusing to give them roles because they refuse to sleep with them. They are all liars. They are the ones harassing the men
Did you have any formal education in acting?
I read Mass Communication; my acting by the grace of God is inborn. I got it from my mother.
Aside acting, what else do you do?
I’m a business woman; a contractor. I do a lot of good things that will give me good name and money too.
Before acting, what were you doing?
I was a broadcaster with Anambra Broadcasting Service.
What about your husband?
He is a broadcaster with Anambra Broadcasting Service. Pete was also a broadcaster and so was the wife too. She is now a lawyer
Why did you quit broadcasting?
I really did not quit, I had a problem with them. Some of them became jealous of the quality of my work. There was this thing we used to do then, when you go for marketing you get paid your money and still get your percentage, so I was getting a lot of money from both acting and broadcasting.
Acting then, didn’t affect my work because I did that only on weekends, when I had my off days; but they didn’t see it like that. Some people felt it was encroaching on my own job.
Do you feel threatened by the presence of new actresses in the movie industry?
No. When you are good you are good. I’m currently on location not because I want to, but because they needed me on account of this job I am doing now.
Can you tell us about your friendship with Patience Ozokwor?
My relationship with Patience is very cordial and we are very good friends. Patience is a very good actress; I can’t fit into her roles very well and vice versa. We are two different people when it comes to acting, so she is a wonderful woman. I must be honest with you, if they give me her kind of role I can never do it well like her, so that is the difference.
As a woman, what has motherhood taught you?
You can see everything about motherhood all over me. It has taught me not to scare my kids away from me, rather I bring them close, because if you scare them away, you push them into the world, where they can be negatively influenced. I started bringing my children close at a very tender age. It is better you let them know what it takes to be a good child.
You have been married for many years and you are still acting, what is your view about failed marriages in Nollywood?
You see, I tell the younger ones to be ready to be in a man’s house because if care is not taken, you will be out of the marriage before you know it.
You have been in the industry for a long time, do you intend to produce your own movie soon or even produced any yet?
I am a producer, but have produced just one movie; Divided Twins about seven years ago. By God’s grace, I will soon produce another one.
Are you planning to divert into politics very soon?
I’m already into politics but do not have the intentions to contest for any political office for now. I’m just a full member of a political party.
Do you have any pet project you are working on?
Yes, I have one. I have a foundation that helps the poor.
Have you ever been embarrassed since you started acting?
The only time I was embarrassed by my fans was when I acted the role of a wicked woman. It didn’t go down well with my fans but I explained to them that I had to take the part to prove I could also act other roles, not just the crying ones.
The post I’m a proud mother of four –Rita Edochie appeared first on Daily Independent Nigeria Newspapers.