Beautiful-faced actor, IK Ogbonna, speaks on his career and challenges
in this interview with JAYNE AUGOYE
In recent years, the effect of the dip in Nollywood’s fortunes on some
practitioners, especially the pioneers, has become a subject of debate and
concern for stakeholders. Determined to keep body and soul together, many
pioneer core actors have decided to delve into other trades.
This situation has given way to the emergence of a crop of young,
fresh-faced actors, many of who are models. While this may be hailed as a
welcome development by some fans, keen observers are of the opinion that looks
may be traded in place of talents.
But the trend, according to fast-rising actor, Ik Ogbonna, is a welcome
one.
“People are naturally drawn to watching attractive actors on TV and
most producers capitalise on this fact. Sometimes producers cast based on good
looks before looking for the talents embedded in the individual. Although some
of us are blessed with good faces, the talent isn’t really there. But we try to
improve on our acting over time.
“I hear people say I can’t act but I don’t think I would be cast in
movies if I had nothing to offer the filmmaker. Don’t forget that the producer
is a businessman who has to sell his products. Nigerians are so quick to judge
people and antagonise and criticise at the same time,” he notes.
Since he embraced the limelight in 2005, as a contestant on the
now-rested Amstel Malta Box Office reality TV show, the Sociology and
Anthropology graduate of the University of Jos has been experiencing a steady
rise. The actor who complements his good looks with a distinct dress sense
blows hot, while lamenting what he describes as baseless rumours being peddled
about him with regards to his sexuality.
“I am tired of the gay rumours trailing me. You can never pick out any
man with whom I have had an affair in the past, but you can link me to some of
the ladies I have dated. It is funny because I am sometimes called a ladies’
man and at times rumoured to be a gigolo – gay. These three things do not
relate to one another. “That I have chosen to adopt the UK style of dressing,
which typically comprises tight pants, should not make me gay. The fact that I
have friends in the industry that I choose to hang out with should not make me
a gay. I really don’t care about what people think of my personal life. I can’t
spot anyone as being gay in the industry and I don’t see anything wrong with
two guys or ladies being close friends. Until I am approached by a guy or I see
guys getting down together then I can conclude that he is gay.”
Over the last few months, there have been reports that the Honey Moon Hotel
actor was romantically involved with Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim. The
speculations were further heightened in June, after he was alleged to have
posted a video on YouTube, which revealed scenes of their intimate moments.
But barely two months down the line, he appears to have moved on,
having found love in the arms of his Columbian girlfriend, Sonia Moralez, who
he has been flaunting on social media.
Confirming his status, Ogbonna, who has a daughter, says, “A lot of
celebrities do not want anyone to know they are in a relationship for several
reasons or out of fear. I don’t put out pictures for anyone to draw conclusions
or create any form of illusion. As far as you are human, you must feel love at
some point in time. I might be seeing someone and she is Columbian.
“A lot of people say that I will lose fans because I posted a picture
of another lady on my Instagram account. I don’t have any reason to hide my
affair. It is a good thing and even God in heaven smiles at it. I will try to
flaunt it as much as I can. But right now, I am not ready for marriage.”
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