Lisa Onu was a coordinator and consultant of an NGO during her youth service days at Jigawa State on the silent killing disease known as Diabetes.  Today, she is an actress and a model and has over twenty five movies and soaps to her credit.

In this interview with Florence Amagiya, this diva reveals how she is able to cope with it all.

Excerpts.

How did you become an actress?

My appearance is not by accident; I have always wanted to appear on the big screen as an actress and I got myself prepared even from childhood by mastering the way l speak and my carriage.

Lisa Onu

How many movies and soaps do you have to your credit?

Well, l have about twenty-five movies to my credit and I’m still counting. The movies, just to mention a few are: Stubborn Grasshopper; Tango with me; Stone Face; City Life, Heart of a Woman; Kidnappers; Beyond the Eyes; City of Sinners; Moment of Madness; Son of a Slave and more. For the Soaps, I am in Treasures; Madam Export; Eve, Disclosures and

more.

Tell us about your TV commercials. Did you get these jobs through auditions?

I have done some TV commercials and I got these jobs through advert casting procedures. Some of the TV commercials are: Honeywell wheat meal, Ariel detergent, Super food seasoning, Dallas hair products, Carat medicated soap and more.

How is it like to feature in a TV commercial?

Advert castings are more demanding and time taking. You would be amazed that a TV commercial of thirty minutes duration could take days of shooting. You could even go for advert casting four times because the producers want the best of the characters sketched out before shooting.

Do you choose your roles or are you allowed to improvise?

I don’t choose my roles but I can reject the ones I am not comfortable with.

Your mother died when you were quite young, how have you coped?

My mum’s death has not been easy on the family, although she passed on when l was only a child, but God has been faithful! He gave me wonderful elder sisters. They made sure I didn’t miss out in life.

Your last name is not a very common Nigerian name, where are you from?

Come on, my name is common enough. Onu is an Igbo name common with the Abias. I am from Uturu in Abia State.

In which way has your life transformed since your debut on TV?

I am a lot more cautious about my life and dealings with people, because ‘everything na news’, to quote the popular maxim. There are always gains and regrets. My major regret is that it has almost cost me my freedom but I love my passion that has become a career.

What are your regrets since becoming an actress?

There are always gains and regrets no matter what you choose to do in life; my major regret as a celebrity is that it is almost costing me my freedom. Don’t get me wrong, l love what l do, it is now my career, but l also like being me. But as they say, you can’t eat your cake and have it.

Can you date for roles?

No, I can’t! Why would l do that?

For the right money, can you act nude?

Nope, I am too Nigerian. l cannot for all the money in the world!

Have you dated anyone in the industry?

Yes, I have.

If you are asked to choose, who would you want to date in the industry?

I have never thought about it oh!

Are you in a serious relationship?

Yes, I am.

Anyone we know?

No one you know but he is not in the industry and he is my personal affair.

Are we expecting wedding bells soon from your end?

No comments

Do you think anything or anyone can make you stop acting?

Let me say this at this juncture. Someone can make you stop acting. It doesn’t have to be a man. It can be any body, but if my man loves me like he claims, then he would enjoy seeing me on TV.

What advice do you have for would-be actresses?

First of all, find your strength and weaknesses and deal with them. That is knowing yourself, believing in your abilities, keeping the dream burning and letting no one or vanity oppress you. Above all, know GOD and be humble.

What should we be expecting from you, let’s say in the next five years?

Hopefully, in the next five years, I will be an established woman of substance.