Nancy Isime: Every Opportunity I Get to Play Someone Else’s Life or Story is Definitely My Best

Having evolved as one of the most sought after persons in the industry, actress and television host, Nancy Isime has unwaveringly held on to her turf. It is no wonder her artistry has subtly reflected and casts Isime among the A and B pack of showbiz personas. From modeling to being a television host and now entangled with acting, Isime’s resume speaks for itself. In this chat with Ferdinand Ekechukwu, Isime shares among other things, her journey to stardom, which somewhat powers her highly anticipated movie, ‘Superstar’ where she stars in the lead. Excerpts…

Let me start by saying Happy Birthday to you Nancy…How do you feel stepping into the third floor?

I feel so excited. I’ve waited for this third floor all my life. Best believe it, even as a teenager, I used to imagine what I’d be doing when I’m in my thirties. I always felt like people in their thirties were so mature to do anything they wanted. By anything, I don’t mean irresponsible behaviour. I just mean taking responsible steps and you know just living and appreciating life.

You are known as a TV host and actress were these deliberately what you set out to be? What was your career dream job?

It wasn’t deliberate. I always wanted to work nine to five and just be in the corporate world somewhere. At one point, I wanted to be a social worker, at another, a pilot, a geologist, surgeon even. But I feel like the career path that I’m on right now is definitely my destiny. I just had to watch it unravel. And I’m beyond thankful to God for bringing me on this path because I’m truly fulfilled and living my purpose every single day and it’s touching lives and it’s impacting so many people around the world. I’m beyond happy to be on this path.

You have had a path with pageantry and did quite a lot of fashion shoots and also commercial modeling. In what ways did that prepare you for life on screen?

Definitely, pageantry and modeling are as challenging as acting. It involves going through an audition phase and getting chosen before finally making it in the industry. It helps me have a resilient mind. It taught me that I have to work for everything because even as a model, you have to audition for every single job you get. So doing that and coming into the acting industry, nothing was really different for me. I’m very thankful for my modeling and pageantry days. Pageantry was fun. I made first runner and second runner ups and even won.

You started out as a model and then a television host, how did you get entangled with acting?

Uhm, acting came from even modeling. I was a model and on stage, I met a director who was like, ‘oh yeah I think you’d look great on TV- on camera. You should try a role’. His name is Dickson Dzakpasu.

Let’s talk about your highly anticipated movie, ‘Superstar’. The plot of the movie follows the rise to stardom of an up-and-coming actress as she plows through life and all. Does this in any way reflect your journey to stardom looking at your trajectory in the industry?

Yes, I mean the struggle, the uncertain phases, the-trying-to-figure-out-life phase. For me, I could relate to Queen (her character) though not all parts of her story, just some, but I know people who have literally gone through some other parts of the story. So yes…

Tell us about the character, and what role did you play in the movie?

Queen plays a superstar. She is a woman the viewers follow. And while following her, you get to follow other people’s stories as well. The crew, what it’s like to be on set… You see some of us and think we have no problem-nothing but good things happen in our life. The movie tells you it’s not like that.

What was the experience like working with Filmone and Inkblot on this project and is this your first time with the two “powerhouses”?

It’s my first time with Inkblot but not first time with FilmOne. It was fantastic… Everyone knew what they were there for. It was dream come true. I’ve always looked forward to working with Inkblot so auditioning and getting the role was nothing but a dream come true!

What determines the script you accept?

Well, the story. I understand that it could look like the same story but with a difference here and there but I’m always interested in what the story is driving at.

So, which of your numerous roles do you consider your best and worst so far?

No worst. Only the best; and every role I’ve played has been a blessing one way or the other. Nothing screams best or worst. I feel like every opportunity I get as an actor to play someone else’s life or someone else’s story is definitely in my best category.

We understand that talent is important to a successful acting career but in Nollywood, it seems there is emphasis on physical appearance. What do you have to say of this?

I don’t think there’s emphasis on that. There’s a look for every role. And that’s nobody but the viewers’ fault. But I don’t think there’s a specific attention paid to looks. Maybe people just tend to be more attracted to fine boys, and fine girls. But I think more attention is paid to the talent.

Was there anybody that you looked up to as a role-model while growing up, and why?

I honestly didn’t have a role model until much later but my very first role model that I can remember is my mum. I loved her so much but she died when I was five. I’d read her books and diaries and I could tell she was a good person. And then I met my aunt who was such a kind woman. She was the first person apart from my mum who taught me kindness. She was my second role model. However, career wise, it has to be Oprah – Oprah and Beyonce. I just love their work ethics and how dedicated they are. Of course, in Nigeria are resilient Mo Abudu, and Funke Akindele. I could go on and on but these women are top on my list.

Last year was many things to different people, what was it like for you?

It was fantastic. As weird as it sounds, 2020 was a huge blessing to me. I survived so that too was a blessing.

What’s a typical day like for you?

A typical day for me is: wake up, meditate, pray , workout, go to work, whatever work that is for the day: either hosting or acting; do some executive/producer work on my show, the Nancy Isime Show which is coming soon by the way. Then return home, meditate some more, get on my phone and get the day’s work over with, then sleep.

You seem to have it all going on career-wise. Are you currently single or dating? What’s your dream man like? I don’t mean your ‘Rent a Man’ kind of man o! (*pun intended*)

I’m currently single, obviously not married. My dream man is someone on the same page as me both spiritually and morally. I don’t mean the same in my career path. He is hard working, focused and making efforts to put his life together. He also has to be a good person.

How do you see the industry generally in view of the advent of streaming platforms, the internet, and YouTube?

Fantastic. I mean the industry is growing every day. I mean people from the outside are coming to us. Before, it used to be us going to them. Packing our stuff and going to ‘fetch the Hollywood dream’… More talents are rising every day and people are excited for that. I can only be curious about what happens in fifty years.

When is Superstar movie out? What makes this film different and why should people go see it at the cinema?

Oh my God, I feel every one, no matter your industry, should see it. There’s a bit of every genre in it. I feel like ‘Superstar’ is genre-less. It’s for everyone, not just for young people. I can’t even say this enough but it’s a story that follows Nollywood so if you’re a fan of Nollywood or not or even if you just want to see ’how e dey go sef’, ‘Wetin dem dey do’, ‘na true say women na soso man dem dey follow’… come and watch it. It’s just a sincere story and I think it’s a bold step, especially from the executive producers because they didn’t leave any stone unturned. And don’t wait for spoilers before you come see it. It will be out on the 29th of this month, December!