Africans frown at nudity, so I won‘t act nude –Benita Nzeribe

You have featured in so many movies where you acted a bad girl, are you really bad?

No, Benita Nzeribe is a simple person; sometimes very shy.

Shy?

Yes, shy. I have featured in so many movies where I acted a bad girl, but I'm not like that. I'm not the only person who does that, but I'm not like that. But for people to think I'm bad because of my roles means that I'm doing it well.

Are you related to Arthur Nzeribe the politician from Ugwuta Imo State?

No! I hail from the Ihiala Local Government Area in Anambra State.

You read English, how come you chose a different field?

I have always dreamt of being an actress, right from my childhood. What I'm doing now in the acting world is like a dream come true. Acting to me is an inborn thing. I have been a movie freak.

How has acting been?

So far, so good. Although there are some ups and downs, I think I'm enjoying what I'm doing. I have no regrets so far. I don't look at the negative side of things, no matter how bad it is. I try to be positive in everything I do. So I have no regrets.

How was your first time like?

Well it was with Alex Usifo and I had a whole full page line and you know for a first timer, it wasn't easy. And he gave it to me and I delivered it very well and he said something like 'you are going to be a great actress.' I don't ever forget that (laughs).

How about your love life?

Beautiful!

Who is the lucky guy and when did you start a sizzling romance with him?

(Laughs) I wouldn't want to disclose who he is or when we started, but trust me, very soon, I'm going to go public. I will open up very soon.

Being a beautiful lady, how do you keep men at bay?

Well I always make sure I don't puncture men's ego. You know men are very egoistic and I try not to puncture their ego, although I also try to drive my message home to them.

What are some of the changes you expect in Nollywood?

I dream to see when the government will give us aeroplanes to act with. In other words, I dream of that time when the government will come out in full swing to support Nollyworld; to support the acting industry. I dream of when the big companies will be involved in what we are doing. These are some of the positive changes I dream to see in Nollywood.

Are you enjoying what you are doing?

Sure! I'm enjoying it. Why I said so is because when a person is doing what she loves, it looks to her like a hobby. I have no regrets so far like I said and I'm honestly enjoying what I'm doing.

How many movies have you featured in?

I have featured in so many. I have acted as the good, the bad and the ugly. I have also featured in so many soap operas and the one currently going on is Treasures.

How do you cope with your fans?

My fans are great. They are the reason for being in the industry. They have been a source of encouragement really. I'm down to the earth and by this I mean that I feel free with my fans.

What is your dress sense like?

I like to dress simple but elegant. I don't dress to reveal parts of me that should be covered.

You have featured in so many movies as a bad babe, can you play nude?

No, I will never do that. I like people that have such guts, but I don't think I can. I'm an African, not a half caste, so I cannot. That is the truth. But for people that have such guts, well, they can go on. I don't have the guts because I'm an African woman. I know we have lots of cultures in Africa (let me not say Nigerian cultures), but African cultures frown at nudity. So, I won't expose my body in the name of acting. I always have that at the back of my mind. There is a limit to everything. That to me is the limit.