Actress, Blessing Obasi, speaks to OGHENOVO EGODO-MICHAEL about her career, marriage to fellow actor, Stan Nze, and other issues
Can you tell us about your family background?
I hail from Mbaise in Imo State but I grew up in Agidingbi, Lagos. I had a very comfortable childhood because my mother did everything to give me the best life. It was a family of two— my mum and I. I also had my aunties from my maternal side and they were amazing. My mum worked so hard to give me the things that wealthy children had, such as attending the best schools.
What schools did you attend?
I finished my secondary school education at Federal Government Girls College, and went on to have my first and second degreee in International Relation and Personnel Management at the University of Lagos.
When did you start acting?
I have loved acting for a long time. I used to act in the drama group as early as secondary school. I recall one time, I took a break from acting and I met a charming lady named Dorothy who stated that she felt like I would make a good actor. Her dad was a professor in UNILAG and they lived there at the time, so she had taken me for an audition. Subsequently, I went for an audition and some friends advised me to blow out my hair. When my mum saw it, she was angry and she took me to cut it all off. So, she said I should stop acting and focus on school. Then, when I was in the university, I told my mum I wanted to try acting again and she allowed me. So, I started acting in small roles. During my first year, I acted a lot and it affected my studies so I made up my mind to focus on my studies. After school, I worked in a top oil company, then picked up acting again.
What was it like working in a corporate setting?
Life was good, but after about three years, I decided to leave and focus fully on acting. There was an incident at work where I had stepped out of the office to attend a shoot, and my boss found out. At the time, Nollywood wasn’t taken seriously, and there was a prevailing stereotype that actors were promiscuous. My boss said he expected me to lead a ‘decent’ life so I could marry a responsible man. I remember he even spoke with my mum, and she told him I could act during weekends. Still, he gave me an ultimatum—to choose between acting and the job. I didn’t like the way he handled the situation, so I resigned.
Did you at any point regret the resignation?
I don’t think I regretted it, even when I went broke, because a few months down the line, my best friend, Shine, had submitted my CV to other places and I got another good job but I still resigned. I would just go to the office and watch films. I felt like I wasn’t adding value to the organisation.
How did you feel when you started gaining momentum in Nollywood?
It was a moment of deep gratitude, like everything was finally starting to make sense. I remember a time when I felt like giving up. We had a programme— the Accelerate Conference at Elevation Church— and Pastor Sam Adeyemi preached. He said, “You’re here today, and you’ve told God that entertainment isn’t for you, that you don’t think you’ll make it. But I’m here to tell you it will make sense. Stay put.” I held on to those words and kept going.
It has truly been a journey of grace. God has made me who I am. My best friend and those around me have been incredibly supportive. Even when others advised me to quit acting and get a ‘real’ job, she stood by me. She would always say, “My akwam (egg), when you go blow, you go blow.”
I even remember when a popular director I deeply respected once told me I was too ugly to be in front of the camera. But look at me now.
Over the years, which role has challenged you the most?
It (the movie) is not out yet but it is an original. I had never acted a role like that before, and people would see me in another light.
What’s something fans would be surprised to learn about you?
People don’t know that I am really shy.
As someone who balances acting with production, how do you switch hats without losing your creative spark?
For production, you majorly need planning and structure. I have a team that I’ve worked with over the years, so they understand me.
Can you recall a memorable moment with a fan?
I have had people hug me, shaking and in tears just to say I have been an inspiration to them. One of the things that warm my heart so much is when older people love me and offer heartfelt prayers on my behalf. A woman in her 90s once cried and prayed for me like I was her child. Those are moments of gratitude for me. What people don’t know is that when they are done hugging me and I move away, I also break down too. It’s so humbling.
Nollywood has evolved significantly in the last decade. In your view, what still needs to change?
We are doing better and people are making a lot more daring movies.
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