In a recent interview with Punch, Star
actor, Jim Iyke, speaks with JAYNE AUGOYE about his recent
adventures.
The University of Jos graduate opens
up on things close to his heart. Few know he was born in Gabon Libreville but
not a few have dubbed him ‘Nollywood bad boy’. But love or hate him, he
continues to stay afloat amidst several controversies.
On his bad boy nature……
While he admits that the
controversies that usually trail him, were simply a creation of his public
relations managers at the time, did pay off initially, it eventually
spiralled out of control.
“I’ve heard that I deem myself something of a puppeteer and
that I orchestrate these media maelstroms to maintain relevance and news. I wish
I was that creative! The other side of the debate – the more discerning would
argue – I’m a victim of PR machinery gone wrong. Perhaps my handlers in the
earlier stages of my career saw a need to create an unfathomable media being
that was as audacious as the characters I played in films.
“It caught on. Caused quite a stir, then quickly spiralled
out of control. There were days when I wondered if I could have done something
about it; like a campaign to state I was a different person. But then, the
media loved it too much. It sold millions of movies. It sold papers. It also
sold my privacy and peace of mind. I struggled for years to understand
what it was doing to my psyche, my relationships, my family, my
spirituality," he reveals.
Why He No Longer Like Nollywood
On why he has been somewhat
out-of-touch with Nollywood of late, he says he is simply seeking for new
challenges. He says of Nollywood, “Nothing was challenging anymore. It was too
easy and too perpetual. It was too boring and too predictable. I had no room to
pursue or hone other skill sets I had. I didn’t have time for extra
curriculums like hobbies, family, and friends, personal and social
advancements. Something had to give! After all, I was the guy that made 38
films in a year,” he boasts.
With his reality TV Show, Jim Iyke Unscripted, which is
set to run for the third season, he declares, “It is the biggest celebrity
reality show on the continent with over 10 million viewers. We did 12 countries
in season one, another 10 in two. It’s the story of a man’s journey through his
eyes and his words .If for nothing, to whom It may concern, I would have gained
perspective and hopefully a better understanding of the idiosyncrasy that rules
my day.”
While Nollywood is said to be a
major contributor to Nigeria’s GDP, Iyke says the feat is not translating to
progress in the long run. “Ours, if it isn’t oil and politics, then it isn’t
attainable. They tie up funds in bogus and outlandish conditions and make bold
and futuristic propaganda-driven statements as to how it is accessible to every
practitioner that simply has to ask for the taking.
“The sad part is that the practitioners do not even
recognise the most basic of their fundamental rights. How can you ask,
when you don’t understand what you’re asking for? The ones that do understand
and fight to the helm of affairs are busy fighting each
other and developing schemes to enrich their shallow pockets.”
And so will he ever consider vying
for the presidency of the Actors Guild of Nigeria?
“I’ve had occasion where they tried
to drag me into this unpredictable territory. I assure you categorically
Nollywood politics holds no iota of interest for me.”
very interesting interview i tell you. click to read more on his relationship with Nadia...
Relationship with Nadia Buari
A conversation with the dark-skinned
actor is incomplete without referring to his lover, Ghanaian actress, Nadia
Buari, whom he refers to as Skittles. Asked about the current status of the
affair, he waxes philosophical, saying, “She (Nadia) is a solid down-to-earth
woman. I’m a man that translates variables in ways many people find
incomprehensible. We have embraced who we are and learnt to create our own
world and expectations. We have ups and downs like every other couple.
“We have our strength and weakness as well. At the
end of the day, rumours of break ups and make ups ought to abound. It really
doesn’t matter. A relationship is a continuous work. Those that give up,
perhaps weren’t committed enough. Those that go in for the long haul suck up
and square up to the variables life throws at them. The people that judge
harshly are obviously the ones that live far from their desired lives. We just
live the best way we know how and leave the rest to the author and finisher of
all things.”
The future is already looking good
as far as Iyke is concerned. Having just featured in a Hollywood film in
2013, titled There Comes Love alongside Hollywood actors, Brian White
and Gracie Beauvis, the actor is diversifying into other areas of interest
already including water business.
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