Linda Adesuwa Osifo is an up-and-coming actress. The Edo State-born returned to the country to pursue her career in acting after over 15 years in Canada. She is a television host and has also participated in beauty pageants, but her strongest passion remains acting, she tells Orukpe Nelson more in this interview.
Who is Linda Adesuwa Osifo?
I am from Edo State, the first daughter but second child of three. I am a television host and an actress. I am the television host of My Talk Show. I starred in a soap opera in New Jersey called Family Secrets directed by Mr. Okechukwu Onyeka which is on Youtube. I was nominated as best actress in the African Entertainment Awards in Canada.
How was your growing up?
I am very proud that I was born here in Nigeria but I did grow up in Canada, Toronto where I spent over 15 years of my life. Well, leaving Nigeria at a very tender age of six, I realized it was not a matter of choice but a matter of force. But as I have grown up, my parents have always been there to make sure we have everything we need and I am so motivated to have a better life than my mother and to make sure that all those years, which they have worked for, has not been in vain. I returned to the country in September 2013 to fully pursue my career in acting. I studied psychology as a major at the York University in Toronto, Canada, and arts as a minor.
How easy was it for your entrance into Nollywood?
Africa films or Nigeria films in the diaspora is quite different from Nollywood. It is a process that you have to go through, however since I have been in the country; I have been very opportune to work with talented producers like Emem Isong and Lancelot Imaseun. I have done a couple of films in Owerri and Asaba. There is another film coming up and I am looking forward to it. The movie is by Sam Gold production and the title is King Akubueze. Before the end of this year, you should be seeing my face in a lot of Nollywood movies.
How about your talk show programme?
I am the television host of “My Talk Show” an Afropolitan entertainment talk show on TelAfric television and it has been going on for two years. We have hosted various artistes and entrepreneurs from different countries on the show. From Nigeria, we have had artistes like FlavourN’abania and Wizkid.
How motivated were you to go into the make believe world?
I have always had passion for acting since my elementary school days. In my church I would always host the drama group so I was known as the drama coordinator. I realized that I liked anything that has to do with entertainment as a whole. As I grew older, I took part in beauty pageants. I was first runner-up Miss Nigeria Entertainment Canada, 2011 and 2nd runner up Miss Africanada pageant, 2011 where I represented Nigeria and I won Miss Entrepreneur. So I have always been into these things and I have realized that it’s something that is a gift and not just an interest. So when you know you have a gift, take it further and see where God takes you.
Which Nollywood stars would you like to feature with?
Genevieve Nnaji, I have always watched her movies and she is talented. I really love Mercy Johnson a lot. She is very authentic and I can relate to someone like her. She is an embodiment of acting as she interprets any role given to her perfectly. Then when it comes to male actors, Majid Michel is the first. I have studied this man a lot and he is a true actor. When you look at the way he acts, he is good at what he does. So, I think Genevieve, Mercy and Majid are my top three for now.
Did you parents support your choice of career?
Yes, they do. In fact; they support my acting career beyond what words can explain and I am very grateful for that.
How much can a producer offer you to play a nude role?
I will reject any role that will expose my body. I do not and have never dreamt of playing any sexual or nude roles no matter how much is involved. If it was in America, they will take that as arts but in Nigeria it is different. I would love for the Nigerian females to be able to relate with me and not look down on me. With our system, there is a lot of prostitution going on in the name of acting and a lot of molestation as well but I do not want to support such things. I like Majid Michel but he has kissed too many actresses so I don’t want to be among those actresses he will kiss. But I will just love to be paired with a good actor who knows how to act and does it well in that artistic manner.
Describe your kind of man
What I can say is that I am attracted to a man who has integrity, power and great charisma outside and within the home.
Define your style
Well, I am a very classy lady. So I love to wear classy, modern yet simple and beautiful outfits.
Advice for aspiring actors/actresses
If you know you are talented and have the passion for acting, you would never ever give your body or go below any of your needs to be anyone because at the right time, your breakthrough will come. When you are blessed at the right time, no man or woman can change it.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Five years from now, I see myself as being a very successful black young woman. I do want to be one of those women who people will say that is a successful Nigerian woman, in a broader view, that is successful African woman and in a much broader view, that is a successful black young woman. I want to be successful more than I can ever imagine.