Sexual harassment in Nollywood is a thing of choice – Lydia Owan

With over twenty films to her credit, actress Lydia Owan has proved to her fans that she has come to stay in the industry. In this interview, she talks about her career and what her fans should expect from her in this new season.

My name is Lydia Owan; I was born in Ogoja, Cross River State. Growing up was fun because I practically moved from state to state due to the nature of my father’s job. It started from Anambra State where I attended my Secondary School, before we later moved to Calabar. I attended the University of Calabar where I bagged a degree in Linguistics. After my graduation, my family moved to Abuja. While in Abuja, I delved into business. I would say that I started acting professionally in 2010. I joined the industry through a friend who encouraged me.

It all started when I accompanied my friend to Enugu where some production crew members saw me and advised me into acting. They said, I would make a good actress because, I am beautiful and that I have all it takes to go far in the industry. I saw the great possibilities in acting. So, I gave it a thought and decided to take acting as a career.

In 2010, I did my first movie.  Between 2010 and 2014, I have done well over twenty movies.  Some of the roles could be very challenging. Funny enough, the movie I will say that was very challenging to me is yet to hit the market. In the movie titled, “Mary the Hunter, I starred alongside other top actors/actresses including Mercy Johnson, Chiwentalu Agwu, Chiwen Owoh among others.

I would say the role I played in the movie was very challenging because some of the scripts were so difficult that they had to source for some strong characters to interpret some of the roles. We also spent longer time on location than we expected. Aside acting, I had always wanted to be a big business woman. I believe that what must be must be.

Though acting was something I admired as a child, I never thought I would take it up as a number one.  Talking about my ability to interpret a role, you can’t really say because, sometimes you would think this is a character you can portray very well but the producers would see beyond your imagination. Challenges will always come and you know how it is when you are new in something. I won’t say it was difficult because as an up and coming actress, I know what I wanted for myself as an actress. I had mentors and people I look up to. It was not easy but we thank God.

Frankly speaking, I would say that the industry has a lot of beautiful and talented ladies. So, the only thing I think that can stand me out in the industry is my hard work and commitments. Like I said before, I had my design already in mind, I had pictured what and what I would do and achieve.

It is not a question of harassment or what you have; one can only get harassed if she chooses to be. I always let my vision and dream drive me to wherever destination I want to be in life. I always do my best and leave the rest to God. My hard work in the industry fetches me roles.

Talking about having regrets, I have none for now. I would say that, acting is beautiful and the exposure I get from it is amazing. My career does not deprive me from having time for my private life. In terms of my relationship, I wouldn’t want to talk about it.  All I can say is that, love is a beautiful thing and we should also not forget that God is love.

For me, my ideal man must be a God fearing and hardworking young man. These two things come first before I can start talking about the six packs or what have you. The price I have paid in the industry is, leaving my family and loved ones to be where I am today.

I really want to work so hard to make year 2014 better than last year for me.

Well, the world should know that I am a beautiful and talented young woman who has come to stay in Nollywood. I have the skin that can ignite any place at any time. The skin I mean is not polished by any chemical whatsoever. It is my God’s gifted skin.

Vanguard