Empress Njamah is a former AMAA nominee for Best Supporting Actress for her turn in the film, ‘Bank job’. Our Wilfred Okiche  caught up with her in Bayelsa just before the big event and she zipped through the following questions:

What has Empress Njamah been up to? You have been out of the scene for some time now

I am currently based in Abuja where I am building a thriving business. It is not easy. Abuja because Lagos is one place where there is a lot of competition, it’s cut-throat. When a lot of people see you doing well in your stuff, they all want to get into it too so I can’t deal with that. I am loving Abuja right now. I have partners I do business with in Lagos though.

Did you fall out of love with acting?

You don’t fall out of love. We all need love and need to give love. But if you are giving your love to the wrong person, you won’t get it back. Just because a lot of people say stuff out of depression doesn’t mean it’s true. You don’t fall out of love with acting, it is always there. A lot of us are born actors and the industry does not have an expiry date, it Is always there. I could come back 10 years from now and still act as a mother so there is always a role for anyone.

What is the latest with you acting career, any new movies lined up?

Something is always happening. Someone offering me a script today is new,  I turn down a script tomorrow, it’s new. So things are always happening. I have shot two movies this year. One is being edited, the other one has been edited. It is going to be premiered in the UK, a sort of collaboration between Nollywood and UK. I try so hard to do the movies that are worth it because the industry is full of talented people. Most people don’t go far because there are loads of distraction once you come in. but I think with where I have gotten in the industry, I don’t think I should be everywhere. I think I should be where is necessary.

Is AMAA necessary?

Oh it is definitely. I am a past nominee so I am always happy to be here in Bayelsa anytime.

But you come from a great acting family. Do you not worry about trying to live up to the good name?

A good name will always be known even if you are out for 5 or 10 years. I know people who have done loads and loads of movies and are still unknown and people who have only 1 good film and it keeps them relevant. Funke Akindele had been in the industry forever and it took ‘Jenifa’ to make her the force that she is today. Even if she is not in every film tomorrow, her work will always be remembered.

What movie will you be remembered with?

Oh that’s easy. It is ‘Girls hostel’. Till today I am shocked when people still call me Tunica Roberts. And when I hear it I’m like ‘Ah e don tey.’ There is always a breakthrough for someone.

What is it about you that attracts controversy

I don’t know about controversy but I guess that a lot of people think that without me they cannot sell their magazines.

But why are you such a magazine seller?

Because I like people to make money, you know fill their pockets, improve their lives. Seriously though, what is controversy? That people write stuff they know isn’t true just to sell? That people want to read that kind of stuff? Most times people just give the people what they want, It doesn’t have to be true. That is controversy.

You are positively glowing, are you in love?

Everyone is in love with something. Somebody. Somehow.  Same for me