Bank alerts make me wet – Lizzy Gold

Lizzy Gold Onuwaje became Miss Delta state in 2006; she went further to contest for the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Pageant (MBGN). Today, she is becoming a household name in the movie industry and the business world. The fast rising actress, who has featured in over 30 movies, recently conducted an essay competition in major schools in Delta State. The winner of the competition bagged a scholarship to any university of his choice in Nigeria. In this interview, she talks about the challenges of being an actress, her love life and other issues. Excerpts
Enjoy!


When and why did you join Nollywood?

I joined Nollywood two years ago because I was passionate about acting; l have always loved to act. So when the opportunity came; l enrolled in a film school, got trained to be an actress and here l am today.

How many movies have you done so far?

I have done about thirty movies, some are out already and some are yet to be released.

What propelled you into joining Nollywood?

Actually, I'm just passionate about Nollywood, it's not like anything pushed me. I love acting a lot, when I was very young, I used to act with pillows, chairs, with virtually everything in the house. I would get a cane and start flogging the chairs and mime like the chairs are crying.

Which was the first movie you did?

My first movie is Shotgun a comedy by Onyeze Production.

How did you get to feature in the movie?

I guess I was just favoured. Actually, I didn't just start acting like that, I went to an acting school like I said before; Emem Isong Acting School, “Royal Arts Academy” for three months. After I got my certificate, I did my first movie in Enugu, Shotgun. After which I worked with Solo Amaco. I did about two movies for him and it was while I was working with Solo Amaco that I met a female colleague, Uche Nancy, and so far, she has been very wonderful. She made getting roles possible for me. I've acted with my senior colleagues. From there, I've been able to work with a lot of people and producers. I've worked in Lagos, Enugu and other places too.

How has it been in terms of challenges?

It's very challenging especially when it comes to getting into character. You have to assume you are the character in the script; you have to put yourself into it. If it's a romantic role, you put yourself in the character with no strings attached.

Have you played a role where you had to have sex?

No, but I've done romantic kisses, smooching......

And that didn't turn you on?

No, it didn't and it won’t. I'm just interpreting a character. Seriously, I don't think I've ever experienced it. Maybe I have a tough skin!

Can you act nude or make love on set?

No, I can't act nude and I can't make love on set. I am passionate about acting but not to the extent of making love on set. On set?!That's not interpreting roles again! I think that's out of acting. No matter the amount of money, I won't.

What was the reaction of your boyfriend when you decided to go into Nollywood?

Initially, he was very skeptical about it. He said girls in Nollywood don't stay in marriages. To me, it depends on individuals; I don't think it's true, because so far, some people like Omotola have kept their marriages. But he saw that I was very passionate about it when I went as far as attending an acting school in Lagos, so he let me be.

So how were you able to convince your man to allow you into the industry?

Like I said before, he saw how passionate I was about it. I told him, it's either he allows me do my acting or he let me be. So he allowed me do my acting.

So what happened; are you still in that relationship?

Yes, we are no longer together.

What led to the crash?

The affair didn’t crash because I went into acting;. The basic truth is he doesn't have money; so I decided to end the relationship. I dumped him in 2013 because he didn’t have much in terms of money and he didn’t have any push for my kind of man..

Are you saying you can't date a man who doesn't have money?

Of course, if you don't have money, don't even bother to call my line, don't even bother to admire my pictures.(Laughs). I love money so much. I can't marry a poor man. Never!

What about a man that is doing a bit okay?

I need a rich man; I don't want a man that is a bit okay.

What does money mean to you?

Money means a lot to me, in fact, money makes me wet! I just need to imagine so much money in my account and I'm wet. When I get a credit alert to my account, Oh my God, I get wet immediately.

Considering the competitive nature of the industry, why do you think producers still call on you regularly?

I think producers call me basically because of the grace of God in my life; I have a very nice height, I speak very well and I interpret my roles properly. When you have the grace of God, it distinguishes you from any other person, because the industry is highly competitive. Even when you think you are fine, there are a lot of people who are finer. You pray for the grace of God before you come on set, so that whatever you do becomes unique.

How do you cope with randy producers and directors?

Right now, I'm working with a female producer. Besides, due to the way I carry myself, they don't even come to ask me out. Before you call me for a movie, I tell you to send the script to my email. I'll go through the script. It's not like I'm begging for a role, I package myself properly and by the grace of God, I have someone managing me. So, you don't just call me up to tell me you want me to do a movie, I go through the script first to see if the story is nice. There are a lot of stories out there that can bring you down. So if the story is nice, I'll tell you my fee, if you agree with it, then we can go and shoot.

How do you cope with male harassment?

It's not like I'm a very rude person, but I'm blunt and friendly at the same time. But I like rich guys, if you are not rich; I can never be attracted to you. I like rich, clean, fresh guys. When I say rich, I don't mean 'yahoo' kind of guys, because they are not hardworking. I want a guy who is consistent with his work and rich. Right now, I'm ok where I am, so I don't think I'll leave him for any other.

What if he gets broke, are you going to dump him?

He's not going to become broke.(Laughs)

What qualities attract you to a man?

I like men that are caring. You have to be rich, caring, romantic and nice. Some men are rich but stingy. Be rich and be willing to spend the money. If I tell you I need anything, let me get the alert. I like alerts.(Laughs). Alerts make me wet.
What if he has all the money and he's not able to meet your sexual needs, make you feel like a woman?
That's very important also, it's not just money; he has to be a man down there!

What do you mean by 'being a man down there'?

He should be physically endowed in bed. He should know how to use it properly, not all men do.

What does love mean to you?

Love is sharing and caring.

Are you in love presently?

Yes, I'm in love with the person I'm with now.

Is it because he's rich?

Not just because he's rich, he's caring, generous and romantic. He's nice, down to earth and humble.

Are you ready for marriage now?
Yes I am ready.

So if he proposes to you, will you accept?

Of course I will.

What if he doesn't, will you be heartbroken?

No, I won't. I'll feel I'm not destined to get married to him.

Who is that actor or actress that you've dreamt of working with, but you've not had the chance to work with?

I love Genevieve and I'll love to work with her. I will also love to work with Omotola and Stephanie Okereke. I've always loved to work with Mercy Johnson and by the grace of God; I've done some movies with her. She's very nice, humble and accommodating. She's motherly and gives one lots of advice.

Who are your role models in the industry?

Mercy Johnson and Genevieve Nnaji.

Can you date any of your colleagues?

No I can't. It's not my thing.

So you mean that you don't have a crush on any of your male colleague?

No, I don't.
If you were to pick any male from the entertainment industry to be within a romantic setting, who would that be?

It would be D'banj, I like his style, the way he dresses; I love everything about him.

If he comes now and proposes to you, would you accept?

I like D'banj very much. If I wasn't in a relationship, I think I'd go for him. But right now, I can't because I'm in a relationship that I love already.

Where do you hope to see yourself in five years?

Five years is too much. Three years from now, I hope to be among the A or B- list actors in Nollywood. I'm working on myself, trying to get better every day.

Tell us about yourself?
I
'm Lizzy Gold Onuwaje. I'm an Isekiri girl from Warri South Local Government A. I won Miss Delta State, 2006, I also contested for MBGN in 2007, I came third place. I am 27 years old; I have an NGO which is aimed at empowering youths generally. I did an event last year and by the grace of God, I was able to bring in a Nollywood colleague, Melvin of Big Brother Africa and crew to grace the event. The winner got a scholarship to any Nigerian University of his choice. I am the second out of a family of six - four boys, two girls. I studied Information Science at the Delta State University and graduated in 2008.

Are you romantic?

Yes, I am.

What would make you cry?

Money can make me cry. When I'm broke, I don't cry. I cry when I receive an alert. I love attention a lot. So, I can cry when I don't get enough of it...

Have you ever been heartbroken?

No, I haven't.

What do you enjoy about being in Nollywood?

Nollywood gives you attention. Even when I forget that I'm an actress, my fans remind me that they see me on TV all the time. It gives you the leeway and open doors for you.

If you weren't acting, what would you be doing?

I'd be into serious modelling, because I like modelling. I did runway and adverts modelling while I was Miss Delta.

What are those physical attributes you have that you think attracts men to you?

I think men like my smile and my portable backside – not too big and not too small.

What's the most romantic thing a man has done for you?

It was when my present boyfriend got me a car. Actually, he didn't let me know that he wanted to get me a car. I was driving a small Kia car when we met. He tolme the car is very small. So one day, he just called me over to Lagos, because he was about to travel out of the country. So I flew down,when I got the airport, he drove down a brand new Lexus Jeep. He told me it's mine, but I didn't believe him. So he brought out the documents and they were all bearing my name. Automatically, I knelt down and started crying. I was just wet with happiness and tears of joy.

How long have you guys been dating?

I met him and within three months, he got me a car.

What's the craziest thing you've done for love?

I've done lots of crazy things, but it's personal, I don't want to share it.

When you didn't win MBGN, what was your reaction?

I cried. I felt so bad. It's a very terrible experience that's not good for anyone. I f you go for a competition, you have the hope of winning and when you don't, it's very terrible. I became shy at a point because Delta State sent some commissioners who came to support me, so they were very disappointed. I think that's why I totally lost interest in modelling and went into acting..