In a recent chat with Punch, Nigerian actress, Mary Lazarus made a certain revelation how modelling prevented her from graduating with First class degree. The actress also talked about her ideal man, challenges and lots more…
Background
I hail from Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State. I have a twin brother whose name is Joseph and we are the last of seven children.
Childhood
My childhood was a very interesting one. I have lots of good memories because my twin was my playmate. Together, we did a lot of good and mischievous things. My parents ensured that they scolded us whenever we erred.
Education
I graduated from the University of Ibadan where I studied geography. I finished with a Grade Point of 4.4. I was schooling and modelling at the same time. Sometimes I feel that, if I hadn’t been modelling, I would have graduated with a first-class degree because I was a brilliant student.
Acting
I started modelling when I was 16. After I graduated from the university, a friend told me a certain director needed a pretty lady to feature in his movie. I auditioned and was selected to play the role. That was how I became an actor and I believe that movie gave me my breakthrough.
The first movie I took part in was Waiting Years. It was directed by John Njamah. I have subsequently featured in a lot of movies including Desperate House girls, Don’t Cry For Me, Losing Control (a series where I played the role of a man), Girls Are Not Smiling and a host of others.
Challenges
As an actor, there are several challenges that you’d come across but thankfully, I have been able to overcome all of them. More so, the challenges associated with people outside the industry are overwhelming; there is this misconception that they have about actors. When you tell them that you are an actor, they shrug their shoulders. I always advise them to visit a movie location to see how things are done. Many of them inaccurately think that acting is not a profession. Then, there is another category of people who see you on television and assume that you are rich. That alone puts me off. They feel that you are larger than life and expect you to live up to a certain standard. I’m not out to impress anybody and what you see is what you get.
Personality
I am a fun-loving person and I am of the opinion that no matter your situation in life, you are not the first to go through such and neither would you be the last. Whatever you do, God is involved because he knows your name before you were born. I am a very principled person, a goal-getter and I do not take ‘no’ for an answer. If I want something and I know that it would make an impact on my life, I will go for it. I don’t have an alter-ego to my personality.
Current projects
Something really big is in the offing now but I am still keeping it close to my chest. My fans should watch out for the project.
Role model and mentors
I have various role models from different spheres of life. I admire American actress, Kimberly Elise for her extensive body of work and I’ve learnt a great deal from her. In terms of fashion, I love Khloe Kardashian.
Ideal man
A lot of things would endear me to a man but for me, I always watch out for a very good sense of humour because I play a lot. I look out for someone who is very respectful, God-fearing, intelligent, someone with a very bright future who has a good relationship between alcohol and socialising. You must be well-groomed and trendy. That would also help you build your confidence as a man and even if you are ugly, you would still attract somebody.
Fashion
Fashion is just a way of expressing who I am and it is a totality of how comfortable I am and how I look on the inside, in terms of the way I dress and appear at all times. It is just my own way of expressing my inner being. For those who know me, I love to wear hats and I always like to be free in anything that I am wearing. Anything that would not make me to be able to turn around well, you won’t find me wearing such clothe.