Theresa Edem Isemin My Career Has Been a Long Journey, Filled with Ups and Downs

Award winning actress Theresa Edem Isemin has always treasured acting from time being part of her childhood and had wanted to be in the entertainment, specifically, the movie industry. Greater success beckoned on her career after appearing on Tinsel, an Africa Magic original show, and has since gone on to star in several films and TV series, including My Village People which is her most recent. Reserved and very passionate about acting, Theresa literally lives and breathes acting. The mother and movie star shares more about her profession and persona in this chat with Ferdinand Ekechukwu

From being a member of the drama club in primary school to being a member of the drama department in church and finally ending up on the big screen, how would you describe this journey?

It’s been a long journey, filled with ups and downs, wins and losses, but I thank God for where I am today.

Aside acting are there other careers/interests you would have loved to explore? And if you weren’t an actress, specifically what would you have become?

Apart from acting, I’m exploring other aspects of the arts such as edutainment, film production, etc. When I was much younger, I wanted to be a pilot, but art is my first love so I’m happy this won out.

Can you tell us a about your background, growing up as a child and a fond memory you hold?

I grew up in a loving and fun family. My parents always encouraged me to follow my dreams and work hard to achieve them. My fondest childhood memory is putting on a cultural dance show for my family during Christmas.

You have featured in quite a good number of movies since you emerged in Nollywood, which one of these movies readily comes to your mind and why?

‘My Village People,’ because it’s my most recent film and I feel that my craft has been more refined over time. So, this is like, Theresa Edem-Isemin 3.0…

You once spoke of taking up some roles in the past that you wish you hadn’t. Could it be as a result of the character or the lines, which is more challenging for you between getting into character and getting your lines?

Hahahaha. Well, yes, there are some roles I wish I hadn’t taken and it definitely had nothing to do with getting my lines. I’m still grateful for every experience because it’s all part of my journey.

Would you consider going behind the scenes sometime in the future, say directing?

Yes, definitely, in the not so far future.

You are your own biggest critic. Is there anything about your creative process that often challenges you at the moment and you wish it is better than it is?

I am my own biggest critic, true, that’s why I constantly work on improving my craft. I pray I never get to the point where I feel I’ve learnt everything there is to know about this art because the day I stop learning is the day I stop growing.

What are the things that you treasure most in life?

God, family, true friendship, loyalty, integrity… Need I go on?

What excites you most as an artiste and what inspires you?

Making great art excites me. Many things inspire me: God is my number one, observing human behaviours and interactions, great movies, songs, books… I think life as a whole inspires me because there’s so much to learn from everything around me.

What has the experience been like since venturing into acting and to what extent has it affected your lifestyle?

The experience has been good so far, and I’m still learning and growing. God and my family keep me grounded, for that I’m thankful.

In what ways do you think budding actors can leverage on available opportunities to them on social media and other avenues?

Social media is a great tool and I think every actor, budding or veteran, should take advantage of it.

In general, what do you think is lacking in Nollywood and how would you love to see it addressed?

I’d like to see more big and corporate investors come into Nollywood to help the industry grow.

There’s this notion that showbiz is no place for decent women who want to build a home and family. In your assessment, what do you think as a married woman?

That’s a myopic, archaic, misogynistic, patriarchal, and sexist, not to mention utterly ridiculous notion.

Has your status as a wife and mother impacted on the roles you take up and in what ways?

I take up characters that speak to me and challenge me as an actor.

Who is Theresa Edem? Tell us your likes and dislikes; your hobbies; turn on, turn offs; phobia, your favourite food, favourite colour, and things like that…

I’m me. I love love and hate hate. My hobbies are whatever I’m doing when I’m bored.

My favourite food is whatever I’m eating at the moment. My favourite colour is whatever inspires me at the moment. I don’t really have any favourites, weird right? My phobia is feeling trapped.