Why I believe all men cheat— Angela Eguavoen

Actress and filmmaker, Angela Eguavoen, tells KEHINDE AJOSE about her career and other issues

What differences stand out between the Nollywood you watched growing up and the industry your generation is currently building?

The Nollywood I watched growing up was one that was very heavy on talent. But, in the social media era, it is now heavy on popularity and the crowds that people are able to pull to any platform, whether cinema, Netflix or YouTube. It is not really heavy on talent anymore, and it is really sad. I just wish that would change because even Hollywood is still very heavy on talent.

Anyway, producers are just trying to make money. I am also a producer, so I understand where they are coming from, but that is not really helping.

I understand that producers need to make money because filmmaking is a business, but I still believe that talent should remain very important. You can have the numbers and the popularity, but if the talent is not there, then what are we really building?

If we continue like that, the industry that we know today will completely die. I just think there needs to be a balance between the commercial side of the industry and the artistic side.

What kind of roles excites you the most as an actress?

As an actress, and a very versatile one at that, I have so many favourite roles. I love it when producers call me for the kind of roles I have never played before.

So, any role that will challenge me, I absolutely love.

When I played Osato in ‘Blood of Enogie’, that was fresh. When I played Ivie in ‘Enakhe’, that was fresh too. When I played Esosa in ‘Italo’, she was a prostitute, and that was the kind of role I had never played before. That was really fresh, and the role really stretched me.

When I played the role of a conductor in the movie ‘Grace to Live’, it took me to places I never knew I could get to. I had always wanted to play the role of a bus conductor. It was not coming forth from any producer, so I just had to write it and play it.

I still regard it as one of my best performances. I enjoy roles that make me uncomfortable in a good way. I do not want to keep doing the same thing over and again. That is what excites me because it allows me to discover another side of myself as an actress.

What draws you to telling stories that go beyond entertainment and encourage reflection?

I am really happy that I have not deviated from one of the main reasons I became a producer: to tell stories that everyday people can relate to.

If you watch any of my movies, you will see stories that are human and relatable. I felt like people were losing that. I would watch some films and feel there was no soul, heart or depth. The story was not really taking anybody anywhere, and you would finish watching without learning anything.

My stories are not like that. I always want people to take something away from them. Whether I am talking about love, family or marriage, I want different people to find something meaningful in the story. A single person should have something to take away; a Christian should have something to take away, and a Muslim should also have something to take away.

There is always a lesson for everybody. That is the kind of storytelling that excites me, and I am grateful for the inspiration God keeps giving me to bring these stories to life.

For me, it is important that when people watch my films, they do not just say, “Oh, that was a nice movie.” I want them to have something to think about afterwards.

How do you prepare yourself mentally when taking on roles that require vulnerability?

I have played a lot of emotionally demanding roles, and I think that is the kind of role people know me for.

I always put myself in the character’s shoes and accept their reality as mine because I believe you cannot truly portray what you do not believe.

Whatever the character is going through, whether they are poor, troubled or dealing with something difficult, I immerse myself in that experience throughout the filming process. I try to feel every emotion they are feeling, so when it is time to portray it, it comes naturally.

That is why I am able to connect with emotionally demanding characters. I try to understand what the person is going through rather than simply memorising lines and reciting them. Once I accept the character’s reality, the emotions become much easier to express.

Some people describe certain actresses as having strong screen presence and sex appeal. Do you see sex appeal as an advantage for an actress, or can it sometimes become a distraction from talent?

Sometimes, sex appeal can become a distraction from talent, but people really do not care as much anymore.

When I was coming up, I did not really want people to focus on my curvy body. I was usually covering up because I did not want people looking at me for the wrong reasons. Anytime I got a role, I wanted people to talk about my performance rather than my looks.

But times have changed. I feel that whatever your ‘arsenal’ is, whether it is your beauty or talent, if it works to your advantage, use it.

At the end of the day, however, the work has to speak for you. Whatever initially attracts people to you, they should eventually be able to see the talent behind it.

As an actress with a demanding career, how do you approach finding love?

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I believe there are two things in life you do not really find: love and death.

When the time is right, they just happen. You cannot force love or make yourself desperate because you want to be in a relationship. When the time is right, it will happen.

Your collaboration and friendship with Etinosa Idemudia has attracted attention from fans. How would you describe your relationship with her?

Etinosa is my sister. That is the long and short answer.

Does marriage scare you, or is it something you look forward to when the right person comes along?

I am not really a huge fan of marriage, and I am not desperate for it. If it happens, fine. If it does not, glory be to God. Life goes on.

I do not think marriage is something anybody should be pressured into. If it happens naturally and it is right for me, then fine. If it does not, I will still live my life and be happy.

There is a popular statement that “all men are cheats.” Do you agree with that belief?

I strongly believe that all men cheat. Whenever I say that, the men will say, “It is not all men.” I think it is a belief I use to console myself just in case I am in a relationship and suddenly find out that the person I am dating is cheating.

I would not kill or hurt him, and I would not do anything I would regret.

I believe all men cheat, but if you are going to cheat, do not rub it in your woman’s face. Just show her respect.

That is one of the biggest forms of respect a man can offer his wife or girlfriend.

Do you agree with the idea that a healthy love life and good sex can contribute to a woman’s confidence and glow?

Yes, absolutely. A healthy lifestyle and a good relationship can contribute immensely to a woman’s confidence and glow. Sex is very important, even though we sometimes try to deny it. It is important for both men and women.

When you combine that with healthy living, a good diet and proper hygiene, the glow-up becomes undeniable.

I also think confidence comes from different things. How you feel about yourself, how you take care of yourself and your general wellbeing all matter.

Who is your celebrity crush?

I do not have a celebrity crush.

How do you unwind when you are away from set?

Away from set, I rest. When I have had enough rest, I focus on my other businesses, think about ways to move my life forward or simply spend time with family and friends.

I enjoy having that time away from set because acting can be demanding. Sometimes, you work long hours and move from one location to another, so when I am away, I like to rest and recharge.

Do you think having additional income streams has become necessary for actors in Nollywood?

Having additional streams of income is important for everybody, whether you are an actor or work in an office. One stream of income is not always enough, especially in an industry like entertainment, which can be demanding and requires a lot of money.

One just has to have a side hustle.

The entertainment industry can be unpredictable. There are times when you are very busy and others when things slow down, so it is important to have something else you are building.

For me, it is also about growth. I do not want to be known only as an actress. I want to build other things, explore new opportunities and continue to move my life forward.

Having another business or source of income does not mean you are less committed to acting. If anything, it can give you more freedom and stability.

I think everybody should consider what else they can build apart from their primary career because life is bigger than one job or one source of income.