Nollywood actress, Monique Samuel doesn’t have to do much to attract attention, her provocative stature, sense of style and talent does it for her.
The rising role interpreter who started acting in 2013 has become one of the most sought after damsels in Nollywood.
In this chat with TheNewsGuru, she opens up on her acting journey, being satisfied with Nollywood, among other issues.
Can you tell us about your voyage into acting?
I got into acting in 2013/2014. Acting has always been my passion , but because I was working and also running my business, I didn’t get into the industry on time .So when I quit my job , I decided to pursue a career in acting.
Your name, Monique Samuel has a foreign ring to it, what part of the country are you from?
Monique is my other name and a stage name derived from MONICA . I am from Edo-state, Benin-city to be precise.
What is the life of an actress like, I mean your daily routine and how you generally get your work done?
When I have a job I resume location a day or two and I work till I am done from that job. Sometimes I stay in the hotel and if it’s not so stressful, I go from home. My daily routine is simply focused on home and work.
Are you satisfied with how far you have come in Nollywood?
I am not 100 percent satisfied because I still have a lot to give and more work to be done. I am not where I want to be, but with time, I will get there. But I am grateful for every job that comes and doing what I love.
What is responsible for you being scandal free?
I just try to stay away from anything controversial and anything that will tarnish my image .I believe a good name is earned. So I tread carefully
Actresses come expensive to maintain as both wife and girlfriend, how expensive are you to maintain?
Being expensive is an individual thing, if you can afford an expensive lifestyle then go for it. If you can’t, then don’t beat yourself up over it. I live a lifestyle I can afford.
When I googled your name, I saw stories about you focused on your alleged bum surgery. How does that make you feel?
People’s opinion about me does not bother me. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion .No matter how you try to defend yourself or convince people, they will believe whatever they choose to believe. It sometimes hurts when they focus their attention more on my body instead of my work. But its okay, they will be fine.
What is the greatest price you have ever paid for being an actress?
The fact that I lost a very good relationship because of how people perceive the industry and the negativity surrounding it. But its fine, if it was meant to be, I guess it would have worked.
What makes a woman sexy and would you describe yourself as sexy or just beautiful?
The level of sex appeal you put out there is what makes you sexy, but to be beautiful comes with a full package, inside and out, mentally and physically. So I consider myself beautiful because I have more to give aside my physical appearance.
There is a cliché that “no beautiful woman can stay with one man”, how has your experience been with men and how would you describe Nigerian men in romantic relationships?
I don’t know where that is coming from but as a woman if you find a man who is nice and has good qualities why will you look elsewhere? For me, I don’t double date. I am a ‘one woman one man kind of girl’ .Some Nigerian men are romantic while some still struggle with the term romance. People show romance in different ways, we all can’t be same.