Let us meet you formally. Tell us about yourself and a little about how your journey started.
My name is Queen Enebechi. I am from Aninri local government in Enugu State. I am a student of IMT Enugu, studying Science Lab Technology. I am an entrepreneur, I own the Bounty Beauty Brand. We deal in everything cosmetics and make-up. I am also a nollywood actress and filmmaker by the grace of God, as well as a brand influencer. I founded a national beauty pageant called Miss Glamour Nigeria in 2019, and we have successfully run the first and second editions. And, I am single. My acting journey started quite uneventfully. I really cannot pinpoint an exact starting point, but I can say, here I am, still in the journey.
Why did you choose acting? Was it always a childhood dream for you?
I chose acting because it is something I derive joy in doing. And it has always been a childhood dream. Acting has been a part of me since childhood, I was once in a drama group when I was much younger, and I remember how I was always encouraged and it motivated me to pursue acting as a career after my secondary school. Although my parents didn’t support me initially because of the rumours of indecency in the industry, after a while and with much persuasion however, they gave me their blessings and prayers. And honestly, my late mother’s prayers have really gone a long way in seeing me through the tough times in the industry.
Apart from acting, you are also a brand influencer. How did you start that journey?
I really didn’t start that journey intentionally. It just came as one of the perks of being an actress. The work of a brand influencer is not an easy one. It requires so much time and effort, because you have to give your client what he/she wants. It makes you be on social media every time, making content and engaging with your audience so as to portray a good image of the brand you represent, and to make them patronise their product. It is a very competitive job, and so requires dedication as long as your contract lasts. You may encounter some difficulties meeting up with targets but we don’t give up. We keep pushing.
We learnt that one of your hobbies is traveling and meeting new people. Can you tell us about some traveling experiences worth remembering?
Yea, that’s true. I like travelling and meeting new people a lot. So far, I have visited over 21 states in Nigeria, and I have also been to Ghana. I intend to visit a whole lot of other places in Africa too, as well as Asia, Europe and the rest. My experience in Ghana was worth my while, I visited a lot of recreational centres and I enjoyed every bit of it. I feel that in Nigeria, we are a little behind in terms of city development, there is still a lot we are yet to achieve. I just have a thing for travelling, I can’t go a week without checking out a new place, even if it is within my state, but I must try to go to a new place, and I must make one or two friends, not just contacts, but a valuable friendship that can impact my life positively.
How has your career affected your personal life? and is there something you would have done differently given the chance?
My career has not affected me negatively in any way. Instead, it has impacted me positively and helped me to work on myself. Before, I used to have a very low self esteem, I hide in the shadows, and I find it hard to talk to people or speak in public. But my career has helped me to boost my self confidence, and increased my exposure level. I can now address an audience confidently, and I know they will listen, unlike before that I would want to hide. And, for that I am very grateful. I would not do anything differently given the chance, because I believe I was meant to learn and grow. I can’t give that up for anything.
Do you have a celebrity crush or a role model in the industry? Who is it, and why?
I would say there are many people I’m looking up to in this industry. Some of them might be in the aspect of their acting, while others in the way they live their personal lives. I would say they are my role models and I look up to them a lot. The number one role model I would say I have is my mom, though she’s late, I still strive to be a better version of her. And when it comes to the industry, I have a role model that I admire so much in terms of her personal lifestyle, in the person of Sochima Ezeoke. Whenever I talk to her, I always feel at home and relaxed, just like I feel when I’m talking to my mom. She speaks so much wisdom, and she always looks out for me and wants the best for me. She advises me like an elder sister, and I love her so much. I also admire Destiny Etiko a lot in terms of her acting, I try to emulate Mercy Johnson too, and so many others too numerous to mention.
What is your take on marriage and dating? Especially as celebrities whose lives are constantly in the eye of the public.
My take on marriage and dating is that it is a personal affair. As celebrities, it is normal for people’s eyes to be mounted on you like a CCTV camera, and they would always have something to say. So, personally, if I eventually start dating or go into courtship, I would definitely keep it to myself and not bring it to social media. Because as soon as you start to let people intrude, it becomes unhealthy for both parties because there will be so many different opinions, so many people trying to backstab you, going through the corners to make sure they spoil your image and render what you have useless. It might be okay if you are not a public figure, because it’s just going to be family and friends. But as a celebrity, you have to be very careful because not everyone likes you and wishes you well. If you notice, relationships and marriages that do not engage so much in social media are the ones that last longer, especially when you have an understanding partner who will not find it offensive when you don’t “advertise” them on social media. Because in the end, it is all about being happy in reality, not faking on social media and then living in misery in reality.
You were honored with the Best Talented Actress of the year Award just last month. How does this impact your career going forward?
Yes, indeed I was given the award and I was really thrilled because it is my first award ever as an actress in nollywood. The award was given to me because of my lead role in the movie Diary of Faith. The movie was made 3 years ago and I’m getting this award this year, it just made me feel more motivated and feeling like, oh I’m being noticed, and people actually appreciate what I’m doing, so I need to step up and do more. From the onset, I used to feel like I’m wasting my time, and nobody notices, but with this award, that feeling is history, and I know I need to put in more effort and do more. I feel really honoured, I must say.
You are really young, having achieved so much, and you still have so much ahead of you. What are your long term plans? Can you share some of them with us?
My long term plans include getting married and having kids of course. I also plan to invest more in my business, the Bounty Beauty Store, to develop it and make it a well known brand and a household name, both locally and internationally by the grace of God. Because that brand is my personal brand and it is going to be like my main business, aside from my acting career. So help me God.
Can you tell us some fun facts your fans don’t know about you?
Some of the things my fans don’t know about me is that I love dance but I cannot dance. Secondly, I’m an introvert. I can be indoors for 3 days straight, as long as I have nowhere to be, I can just be indoors, watching tv or netflix, I can even choose not to talk to anyone on phone, and I will be fine. I enjoy my personal space so much and I cherish sleep so much. Whenever I’m not thinking about anything and I don’t have any serious business to do, I like to spend time and just sleep and rest well.
This part of my life is not known because I hardly associate with friends on a very personal level. Yes, I like to make friends, but I don’t draw everyone close immediately. I prefer we hangout outside and all, but I take my time before allowing anyone into my personal space. And if I eventually let you in, it means you are very dear to me. That’s just it. For my fans, I love you and I cherish your support. I will keep doing my best. Thank you.
