Budding Actress, Emmanuella Iloba, Speaks on Career, Love Life

Pretty Emmanuella Iloba is one of the new faces that are set to take over the Nigerian movie industry.

An undergraduate of University Of Lagos, a native of Delta state who is in her early twenties, Emmanuella took us on a ride through how it all started, how it has been so far, her aspiration and many more, enjoy the interview.

Emmanuella

How did your career in acting start?

To be honest I will say acting choose me. Because I have been acting right from when I was a kid. I started from acting in the house with my siblings. It’s something I love doing. It’s my passion and I’m someone who follows her passion and I love what I do.

I started with house plays and from there my family actually encouraged me to give it a go and they have been so supportive and I’m grateful that they love what I do.

My career started professionally in 2016. I will say it was Divine actually because I wasn’t even expecting it. I was at an event when someone walked up to me and asked if I could act.

I said yes. He said that’s great and he’s Chico Ejiro. I was speechless and that was how it all started.  So it’s been God’s grace and Gods favor.

So far, how many movies have you featured in?

I have done a number of movies. If I’m not mistaken I will say 20. Yes there’s about.

How far can you go to interpret your role?

I try to make every role as realistic as possible. Everything is to make belief and I try to achieve that at all times and I will do whatever I can to make sure my script is well interpreted and my directors are pleased and so far I have been able to do exceptionally well. I am dedicated and I study my lines well.

Tell us some of the challenges you have faced since you started?

There are a lot of challenges, from trying to cope and work with different kind of people. Hunger on set and sometimes the welfare is not always what you would have preferred. Being on set till late like 2am and having to wake up as early as 6am with burning eyes.

There are times I will be at location for two days without doing a scene and I have to go back home hungry and stressed.  But that’s acting for you. I always make sure those things don’t get to me. I have preconditioned my mind to stay focused and determined and moreover I love acting.

As far back as I can remember this is what I have always wanted to do. Every actor goes through the same rough times I believe.

You just have to stay focused. Determined and love what you do and you will always have the energy to overcome the challenges.

There are cases of sexual harassment in the movie industry, have you ever been a victim?

No. I have never had to deal with such things. Like I said earlier, my being here is actually Gods doing. I didn’t go out looking or hustling for roles or begging someone to cast me.

God used someone to locate me and that was it. If I didn’t give my body to get into the industry, i shouldn’t give it to stay in it and God kept those things away from me.

Can you personally rate how hot you think you are?

Well, I will let people to decide how hot I am. I believe I’m beautiful, intelligent. Smart and I love my job. Is anything hotter than that?

Are you dating someone at the moment?

Yes.

Describe your kind of man?

I like my man to be tall.  He must caring and loving and God fearing. He must be smart and of course genuinely interested in me.

Who do you see as your role model?

My role models are Genevieve and Rita Dominic. I have always loved their acting long before I started acting. I admire them a lot.

Do you intend to go into other areas of production?

Yes, I’m not restricted to acting alone. I have plans to go into directing and production too and I’m already working on my own production.

Tell us your most memorable day?

My most memorable day would be when Chico approached me and he gave me the platform for all these. So that day is my most memorable day. It’s not every day we have such opportunity.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

5 years from now, I want to see myself still acting of course. I love acting and I don’t see myself stopping any time soon. I want to be able to work with some of the biggest names home and abroad and be able to take my acting to the world.

What can you never be caught doing?

You can never catch me insulting my parents, smoking or being pessimistic