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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