Mellisa Osagie is one of
the beautiful fast-rising Nollywood actresses in Nigeria who has also passed
through the golden hands and refinement of Pysmaco Productions. Her story is
one filled with goal-getting, tenacity, passion and a mix of frenzy and
roadblocks. Aside having to dump her tertiary institution certificate for her
acting career, she reveals that some years ago when she was left with the
soul-smashing verdict of choosing to forfeit her acting career or be disowned,
she chose to be disowned. As she celebrates her 26th birthday in
grand style, she speaks more about her growing up, career transition, the movie
industry, future aspirations, challenges and great wins.
Excerpts:
Can
you tell us about yourself?
My name is Melissa Osagie (Miss). I am an actress
and I will be 26 years by July 10, 2020. I am from Edo State, Nigeria and I
graduated from the department of Political Science/Social Studies in the
College of Education, Ekiadolor, Edo State in 2011/2012. After that, I left Benin
for Asaba in order to achieve my movie acting goals and aspirations as a writer.
You
studied Political Science/Social Studies. Based on your educational pursuit one
would expect you to be a politician or teacher but you are into movie acting.
What led to this transition?
Well, as a child, I
already knew I would be an actress and a writer when I grew up. But the type of
family I came from was the type that saw or perceived entertainers as
prostit***s. So my Mum was against me studying Theatre arts. At that time, She said
she would only allow me study Theatre Arts on the condition that I would be the
one to sponsor the education, of which, I could not financially afford. So I
had to dance to her tune and studied Political science/Social Studies. However,
after graduation, I had to abandon my certificate because, I did not actually
need it. Meanwhile, while I was in school, I was registered under two
production houses: Pysmaco Production (Publishers of Topflyers Magazine) and
Exclusive Concept.
(Interviewer
adds in): We can tell that has been a lot for you then. However, we are most
thankful to God For your zeal and that our Team and Management (Pysmaco
Production) had been there.
Has
anything changed about your family’s perception of entertainers? Do they still
consider entertainers as prostit***s?
(Exclaims) No! Interestingly
they do not see it as that again (Smiles).
What
changed their minds?
The thing is, when you
see from afar you cannot really know the truth. Entertainers are not as
"loose" as people think they are. It is individual differences. I
believe It is just a choice of Lifestyle.
Do
you see anything wrong with a married actress kissing a man in a movie?
I do not see anything
wrong with that at all.
What
is your reason for saying that?
I said that because
filming is "make-believe". Advisably, before one gets married as an
actress, the partner should understand your line of business. There are TOP
actresses whose husbands do come to stage/on set with. My permission to make
use and as an example, one of the actresses I respect in the movie industry,
Mrs. Adesuwa Wellington (the wife of Banky W). Banky W sometimes come on stage
with her because the trust is there. He knows who he is dealing with. He knows
that outside set, there is nothing more to the kissing.
You
said you are a writer. Have you authored any book or scripted any play?
(Laughs softly) Actually,
I have written some books. I also have written three stories and I have
produced two.
(Interviewer
cuts in): That's absolutely great!
As
a child, did you know you would be an actress?
Yes, I knew I would be
a writer, movie producer and actress because that is the gift God gave me. I
couldn’t see myself being any other thing and there is nothing I can do,
without acting.
Are
you saying if you had not been an actress you wouldn’t have been any other
thing?
Well...I must be honest
with you, life without movie making is a 'mess-up' for me.
(Interviewer
adds) Wow, that is interesting!
Yes, it got so intense
to a time I was experiencing so many challenges come up. My parents disowned
me…
(Interviewer adds) Seriously? Because of movie production?
(Laughs) Yes, because
of it! I was disowned and had to leave the house and move down to Asaba with
just a bag. When I arrived at Asaba, Nigeria, there was no one there.
(Cuts in) At this stage, didn’t you feel
like quitting your goal of acting?
Not at all! I was not
ready for anything.
 |
| Mellisa Osagie |
Your
birthday comes up on the 10th of July. How do you feel becoming 26
this year?
(Exhales deeply) I have been waiting for this moment for a very long
time. Age 25 is something else in every female’s life. I even had to call some
of my friends to find out how their age 25 experience was like. I then realized
that 25 in every woman’s life is a stage she feels everything is over and
depression sets in because she begins to feel she no longer has time and needs
to achieve almost all of her childhood goals. At this stage the fear of not
making mistakes attracts more mistakes. My 25 years was something else but
coming to 26, I am optimistic things will be greater in my life.
Are
you expecting anything special at 26?
Yes, of course.
(Cuts
in) Are you expecting to get married at this age?
(Laughs) No, not that.
Why?
Are you not worried that you are getting older while still single?
I am not worried at
all.
Are
you saying if any man comes to ask for your hand in marriage right now, you
will decline the proposal?
That man should stand
by me and make me achieve one thing I have always prayed for, which is my goal.
(Cuts
in) But you can achieve that while you are married
I know I can achieve it
but sorry to say, 95% of men that tell a lady you will achieve it, will not
allow them do so once they marry the girl. They will kill your dreams (Laughs). It is not every man that
understands the nature of this our business. If the man says or feels he does
not want to lose me, let him stand by me and support me until I achieve my
dreams. I am currently in a relationship and the person I am with so much
believes in me and my dreams. Even though my family do not really like him, of
which I do not exactly care about or take too personal. My friend is the kind
of man any actress would want; a man that understands the need to let their
woman achieve their dreams.
When
did you delve into the movie industry?
It was in 2010/2011.
However, I got into movie full-time in 2014 after my tertiary education.
Who
are the TOP actors you have been on stage with so far?
Oh! The likes of Zubby
Michael, Ebere Okaro, Gentle Jack, Regina Daniels, the list goes on and on.
Who
is your role model?
The beautifully
talented, Stephanie Okereke Linus. She is my role model because she is a
realist to the core and a goal-getter.
What
are your challenges as an actress?
In the industry per
say, when I started newly, some producers and directors wanted to sleep with me
or take some form of advantage of me. They tried that by telling me they made
most actresses popular and when I rejected, it became a problem. I have been on
a set where I merited the key character but someone just came from nowhere and
paid one hundred thousand naira to get that character and I was dropped. That
was how my passion for writing became stronger, fully knowing that once I had
contents, money and God by my side, I can produce my movies by myself.
Outside
acting, do you do any other thing for a living?
Yes, I do. I have a
digital fashion shop. I call it "Melz Empire". I deal on stock
wears/clothing for adults, males and females.
How
do you intend celebrating your birthday?
I am doing a home-made
pastry for my party. I will celebrate it at home.
(Interviewer
cuts in): That is nice, maybe our team could come do some Magazine Coverage of
it
(Laughs)
Where
do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I see myself as a
Global star actress. I can feel the stardom already (Laughs). I will achieve this by always working on my skills and by
topping my game every time.
What
would you say makes a good actress?
(Exhales) Script
interpretation, mannerism and reactions. Acting is beyond just cramming a
script.
Who
would you like to give a shout out to?
Interesting! I will be
giving a shout out to my bestie, Faith Edije. I call her my favorite girl in
the world. She is amazing. I also want to
give a shout out to my mum, Mrs. Dorcas Osagie and Mr. Swanzy.
What
is your message to your fans?
Don’t ever give up.
There are many stones that would be thrown at you. Just use those stones to
beautify yourself. Nothing good comes easily. Expect people to talk down on you
or what you do but, I strongly advise that you stand tall and be a goal-getter.
Be greedy with your passion. Love yourself before any other person.
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