Budding actress, Jennifer Uzoma is one of the most sought after fresh hands in Nollywood. She came into the industry in 2005, while in the university studying Political Science. Jennifer, who hails from Imo state recently had a chat with Julia Blaise Blog (JBB) where she spoke about the challenges she has faced in Nollywood, sacrifices made to movie roles and why she likes acting. Read on!


How did you come into the industry?

Growing up I always had interest in the arts. I watched a whole lot of movies and read a whole lot of novels from all the Jackie Collins to John Grisham, Fredrick Forsyth to Elechi Amadi, Chimamanda Adiche and many others. This endeared me to acting and I wanted to learn and understand it better. I saw it as beautiful so I signed up for it with the Enugu Chapter of Actors’ Guild of Nigeria in 2005. I was still in the Enugu State University of Science and Technology then studying Political Science.

So far, how many movies have you done?

‎No kidding but I have actually done up to 50 movies...(Laughs) but please bear in mind I didn't start with the lead or supporting roles. I did a lot of epic movies in the East, when I started out and worked as an extra in some movies as far back as in 2005, 2006.


‎Have you had any challenging role?

Well for me, every role is challenging in its own way because when you are acting, you are portraying an entirely different character from who you really are. Though  I am still very much hungry for that one role that will shoot me out and have people to critics notice me.

What sacrifices have you made in your career? 

‎Mm hmm, what sacrifices have I made for acting.  For one I dumped a lucrative and stable career I had with another industry (Telecommunications) for the finicky and unpredictable world of acting. Also I have ended a relationship because my ex partner wasn't understanding or accommodating enough to indulge my profession. 

Tell us about the challenges you have faced in the industry?

Challenges I have faced in the industry include, lack of structure, stereotyping, hasty productions. By haste I mean you are given a script now and expected to act right away. It’s not a cold reading audition which is understandable; it’s acting that will be viewed on the big screen or TV by hundreds of people. That’s why some actors give half baked performances. I think rehearsals and table readings should be done before shoots, scripts read thoroughly. All in all Nollywood is still growing and evolving. I believe we will get there. .Just a matter of time‎.

‎We hear of sexual harassment in Nollywood, is it true? Have you experienced it?

I can authoritatively tell you sexual harassment happens everywhere else not just in Nollywood. For me I have never experienced that. If you are good at what your craft is, focus on that and be patient and persistent and soon people will notice you. Not everyone is a bad seed in the industry.

Who are your role models?

In the foreign scene my role models are Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore and Gabrielle Union. Here in Nollywood I really like Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Bimbo Akintola, Rita Dominic,Tope Oshin because she's a female director.

Aside acting, what else do you do?

I am an entrepreneur; I have my cute little business on the side that pays the bills for now.

What do you enjoy most about acting?

Everything undoubtedly, the whole nine yards from the adrenaline rush when the director yells 'Action' which makes me feel alive to even being recognized by random people on the street, having to portray someone else and tell their story is truly exciting. Acting awakened something in me that I never felt before. Wowww, does that sound too passionate? Hahaha.

You left your relationship because of acting, have you found another one?

I really really don’t like discussing my private life but yeah, I am seeing someone right now.