I’m a certified lover girl -Ifeoma Nebe

By Rita Okoye

Talented actress, former beauty queen, and humanitarian Ifeoma Faith Nebe (aka Queen Ify) shares her Valentine’s Day memories, career journey, relationship insights, and more.  The Enugu State native takes us down memory lane in this exclusive interview with Saturday Sun.  Enjoy!

How did you spend the last Valentine’s Day?

Nothing special. I was working throughout. After work, I took myself out on a dinner date. For now, I’m loving myself.

Are you single?

Yes oh, I don’t have a boyfriend. Although there are lots of admirers, I need to take my time and find someone for me because some people just want to be with you to satisfy the ego of having a fine girl, and that would never be me.

How, then, would you know the right man when he shows up?

That’s where God comes in. You have to pray for the spirit of discernment. And if you have faith in God, you will know trust me.

What are the major attributes that would attract you to him in the first place?

Intelligence! I love an intelligent man. Someone that I can learn from. I do not play around with respect and accountability. And I love being pampered because I’m just a baby.

Within your short stay in the industry, you have played different lead roles, what’s the most challenging one so far?

I haven’t found any challenging scripts yet and I want one so bad.

What roles are you looking forward to?

Deep, emotional roles that don’t involve screaming to make my point. Just pure, raw emotions. I want to see how well I can pull it off because I have been told many times that I have no heart.

Do you see yourself as a romantic person?

Let’s not cast it yet, but I do believe that if you manage somehow to bring out my softness, ohhhh you are blessed by heaven.

How can one bring out your softness?

You have to be patient with me. Once I realize I can hand over the reins to you, then my softness overflows.

What’s the craziest thing you have done for love? 

God abeg! (Laughs). I used to apologize for being cheated on. Ah! I never wanted to be in that shoe again. Never! 

Can you tell us a bit about your background and upbringing; how did your early life influence your decision to pursue acting?

I’m the first child of a farmer and a midwife who I adore with all my heart. I was born in the village and raised in the city without my parents or siblings. I cried almost every day of my childhood and swore to give myself and my family a chance at a better life. I realized at a very tender age that no one was coming to save me, so I saved myself.

How did you get your first acting role? 

It was through my ex. After God, and my parents then, it was him in the course of the beginning of my career. He reached out to a friend who does movies and asked him to help me out, and that’s how I was introduced to a lady producer who saw my first act, and she said Ify, if you will be patient with me and not rush things, you will go far. It was one of the epic moments of my life.

So, why is he now an ex?

Well, life happened. You can love someone with all your heart and still not love them the right way. I have always known how I want to be loved and I won’t settle for less.

So, you broke his heart?

We broke each other’s hearts. No one is to be blamed, especially. I’m a certified lover girl but please do not disrespect me because I will disappear.

What would you consider your breakthrough role or project; and how did it impact your career?

I did this high school movie that projected me beyond my expectations, and from there, God showed off with me.

What were some of the initial challenges you faced as a newcomer in the industry, and how did you overcome them?

The industry is made for the strongest of hearts, so many cliques and I hate cliques. I have always been a one-man squad. Please, if you are coming into the industry and you hate disrespect, come with your money. It takes grace to scale through; forget beauty and talent. Those are secondary.

Do you have any specific techniques you adopt when you want to prepare for roles?

I always ask for my scripts ahead of time so I can practice with my mirror. I act out scenes in my head while I shower. My best technique is the mirror.

Do you have any plans to shoot your movie?

Yes, but I’m in no rush. The dream I have for the industry is very massive. I intend to produce not for the sake of it but because it has to be different. And I want money out of it too.

How do you deal with male fans and admirers, especially the stubborn ones?

I’m a very direct person. I will calmly state I have no intentions with you, and if that doesn’t work, I block you. I do not have time to over-explain. And most messages I do not open.  I do hate stress a lot.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far in your acting career?

Every script is important; no matter how small the role might be, always bring your A-game.

Aside from acting, what else do you do?

A side business, a foundation and looking to accumulate more along the way.

The Ify we know is a good cook. Are there plans to venture into the food and hospitality business?

No, I just love cooking for myself and a few people. It’s my little love language I do not intend to share with everyone.

We hear a lot about sexual harassment in the industry, have you had an encounter?

Yes, I did at the beginning of my career. So, I left and came back with small money.

How did you overcome the temptation?

I left the script. I got home, cried, cleaned my tears and faced the reality of bettering me so much that they can’t do without my talent. Mam, I worked on myself so well that producers understood what I brought to the table.

Would you say fame has deprived you of anything?

Yes, please. I have missed out on family and friends time that I would have loved to be at. And people always assume you are perfect forgetting we are all human.

What are your set goals and aspirations?

The life I’m building now is for me and generations to come. I intend to get into bigger and better platforms, breaking boundaries and allowing God to bless people through me. I want to encourage people like me who had no hope of ever being successful because I’m a typical example that your background can never limit you unless you allow it. Also people need to experience God for themselves, not the experience our parents or Sunday services can give but for yourself. If you do, you will understand that everything in life has its season and that simplifies life.

How can they do that?

It comes in different ways; I had to relearn everything from the beginning again.  Read books on life, session with God. The minute you decide to let go and allow him to take control of your life, you will be shocked at the boundaries you will break. Never be in a rush to accomplish everything. You have to have patience, faith and lots of peace within you. I always tell people who mean to belittle my aspirations that Onye kwe, Chi ya ekwe (If you agree, your God will agree.)

Do you still go to church every Sunday?

Nope, not every Sunday, but every day of my life starts and ends with prayers.