Actress, Bhaira McWizu, made her incursion into Nollywood when she won the Nigerian Breweries-organised Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) competition. The actress, who is also a hotelier and real estate dealer, brings ADUNOLA OLADAPO into her world of fashion, her rumoured pregnancy and love for nation-building, among other issues.
Every entertainer seems to be delving into the fashion business now. What is the luck there and tell us about your fashion line?
For me, fashion is about exploring one’s creativity and passion for the arts. I have always loved beauty, the arts, creativity, looking good, blending stuffs and colours and coming out smashing. So, for me, it is not about everyone going into the business or because it is lucrative but the passion for creativity and helping others to look good and, of course, it is business, so, the monetary aspect is also essential. I like beads, precious stones, blings, and many more. My fashion line is called BMCC, an acronym for Bayray McNwizu Classic Collections.
Where does your interest in fashion come from, is it inborn or borne out of things you see around?
It’s innate, I guess. It’s just in me. I think I have been creative right from childhood, I know how to pick and match colours, match what goes with what and it will go perfctly.
Do you design the jewellery yourself?
Yes, I do every one of them by myself. Like I said, the creativity is inborn.
Where did you learn how to do that?
I have to be a part of every process, although I have a wonderful team who also are naturally laden with creative genius. On how to design, I had informal training in Asia and apply myself to the rest of it.
What is the most expensive item in your wardrobe and how much is it?
My blazers by BM…Priceless! (laughs)
What has 2012 been like for you?
2012 was a cocktail of so many things, the victories, the triumphs and then there was the down part where I had some people who were close to me who fell ill and it was just chaotic because it looked like I was going to lose everything. I realised then that life is more than material things, it is more than career. When you have a family, the bond there is strong.
Why the choice of the arts, especially knowing that it places you on the spotlight?
The part about placing me on the spotlight, I have no hand in there whatsoever. If they didn’t talk about me, I guess it will make my job a lot easier. Then again, it comes with the territory. There is nothing I can do about that. What I do enjoy is getting a good script, doing my thing and knowing that it will change someone’s life or that it will entertain and make someone happy. Like real estate, I didn’t want a job that is nine-to-five. I had it and it was depressing but when I started acting, I found out that I was free; I had my time, it was very flexible. I felt like I was in the zone, so I knew that it had to be that. Every other thing will come together.
Career-wise, would you say you are there?
God forbid that I would be there at this point. I don’t pray to see that time any time soon. I like to go through all the rigours. I like to improve, of course. I like to be appreciated. I like to dream of bigger things and do better things. I am not in a hurry. That is the truth of the matter.
People perceive acting as being all about the glamour, would you care to share the downside?
I can’t speak on a general level but one of the dark sides is that I operate in a career where everybody talks about you. As an actress, you lose your privacy. Because it is our job to entertain people, there are some things that people just want to know more and more about us and we can’t stop them. Aside that, you can also get to the point where you allow the fame get into your head; everybody wants a piece of you and then you forget the real things about life which include family, love, helping other people and all that.
Would you say that participating in AMBO has anything to do with your success in Nollywood?
AMBO gave it to me, that is the truth of the matter. I probably would not be where I am today without AMBO. Whether I would be at a higher or a lower level, I do not know, but one thing is sure, I was determined to act. I was determined to make something of my life and my talent. I really can’t answer the question but I can say that AMBO helped me. I think they did a good job of strengthening my career.
Sometime ago, rumours did the rounds that you were married and pregnant. How true were they?
They have always asked me whether I am married or pregnant. Obviously, I am not pregnant, as you can see yourself. As for whether I am married or not, I can’t talk about that. I prefer not to talk about it.
Is there a particular reason you are being secretive?
I am not being secretive about my relationship status. It has nothing to do with secrecy. It is just a part of my life that is entirely mine. The point is, there are rumours and there are some truths to the rumours but I am not just going to talk about it.
So, are you saying you are married, is that the truth in the rumours?
I have not said or implied that. Please, can we drop that topic, because I don’t want to talk about it. It is private to me.
What if guys see you around and start making passes at you?
Body language is everything. If you are not getting any green light, you will know what to do. Then, you will know whether I am single or not.
In your own view, what would you say is the present state of Nollywood now?
There was a time when everyone was complaining about everything and then the movies stopped for a while which was very good. All of a sudden, small groups of people started doing things and getting them right, knowing the ropes and doing things properly. It is a young industry and we cannot expect too much. We are getting to that point where we can say yes, Nollywood has arrived, even though we are not fully there yet. We are doing good stuff. Today, people go to the cinemas to watch home videos. I find that impressive.
Are you working on any project currently?
One of the movies I starred in will premiere soon. It is called C7, which means the Seventh Commandment, ‘Thou Shall Not Commit Adultery.’ It is a fantastic movie. I got to play Hajara, a very silly and playful woman who is pitched alongside Stephanie Okereke. Things happened, someone gets shot, the police come in and stuff like that. I just finished filming ‘knock knock.’
What is the film about and what was your experience on set like?
It’s a comedy series By Inkblot Productions. First time I’ve ever done comedy but not surprisingly, even I was laughing throughout the shoot. It’s about four classy friends— two guys and girls. I play Yinka, who shares a posh apartment and manages the challenges that come with that.
In all your years as an actress, what would you say that the art has taken from you?
This job is not easy, as people may think. I am not talking about the fact that it is really competitive. I am talking about the fact that if you are a serious artiste and you like your job, you like to be punctual, you like to do stuffs that people admire. It can get really tedious and really painful. Compared to a nine-to-five job, sometimes, you just want to opt for the other. You have to work at odd hours and you still have to look good.
How profitable is acting, in your view?
It is very profitable on so many levels. I am being recognised, the fame and popularity also afford you some things, like privileges. I get paid well and I can afford the things that I want. Life can be better though.
As an actress, how did you end up in the hospitality and real estate businesses?
It is almost the same thing as the art, in the sense that you can do it on the go, you don’t need an office to perform in those fields. They are lucrative jobs. My mum was into real estate and whenever I am free, I like to give her a helping hand and, of course, learn and increase my creative abilities. It started out as charitable gesture—trying to give back to her for all the things she has done for me. But it got to a point where I realised that there is money to be made from the trade.
Are you very attached to your mum?
Who isn’t? Of course, I am. There is a point where you know you need to stand on your own, do things for yourself and think with your own head. My father is late, so my mother is very important to me.
Is the demise of your father responsible for the attachment to your mum?
She has always been there through good and bad times. When I was at the AMBO house, she went voting for me. She really loves me unconditionally.
How do you relax from the stress of your career?
I try to read, as much as possible. I make time for myself where I just stay alone and commune with God and ask for direction.
How do you unwind?
I play a lot, I listen to music and watch movies, although watching movies is work for me. I dance a lot to Latin American music and I spend time with my family.
What is your attraction to Salsa?
It is a sensual dance step, although it has some of its roots in Africa. You have to be open to dance salsa, you have to be flexible; and as an actress, my body is my soul, I need to allow energy flow freely. I have always been a dancer. I love dancing.
What is your favourite dish, and can you prepare it?
It used to be Amala… but I think I’ve eaten so much of it (laughs). So, I’m tired… I love Ofe Owerri and wheat flour. I can’t make it though.
Have you had any harrowing experience before, like an accident; can you share it with us?
Yeah, but thank God it’s past now. I think I’ve shared this story before. I almost lost two very close people. Everything in my life stopped. So, before I get on my feet, I get on my knees and thank God for my life and everyone in it. Once in a while, when I remember that experience, it still gives me goose pimples; that is to tell you how terrifying it was for me, but I give all thanks and glory to God for keeping me alive.
Have you been sexually harassed before?
You people must tell me why this particular question always comes up, but seriously, no. With the rate this question is being asked, if statistics comes out as being in the affirmative, we all should do something to help especially, non consensual affair.
Are you considering contesting for a political position anytime soon?
That is even worse than a nine-to-five job. It is too restricting but I am considering something close to that, something that has to do with nation-building is what interests me.
Who is Bhaira?
Bhaira is one person who likes to take things easy. Life is simple. I stay close to my friends. I take my job seriously, I like to love, and I like the good things of life.
