Mercy Aigbe needs no formal introduction as one of the most-sought-
after actresses in Nollywood. She’s one of the top rated actresses who
has paid her dues in the industry. In this interview with Showtime
Celebrity, Mercy opens up on many issues, including her marriage to her
ex-husband, her recent marriage, career, challenges and others.
Excerpt:
What’s been happening?
I have been busy working and some of my movies have been released in
the market. I just completed my most recent movie titled, Suru
Lere(Patience Has Gain). I also traveled to shoot the concluding part
of my movie, Osas, and by December, we’re going to round everything up.
You started as an actress and now, you’re a producer, how has it been?
It hasn’t been easy because it involves more responsibilities. As an
established actress and now a producer, you want to give what people
will see and respect. Producing movies that are not up to standard will
affect the way people look at me. So, it’s double work because I also
play lead roles in my movies.
How much do you spend producing a movie?
Like I said, as a producer, I love to give out my best on a project.
But with the kind of environment we have here, one of my challenges is
piracy. Sometimes, when you have a project and you’re to spend like
N10m, you’ll always want to cut cost because you’re not sure pirates
will allow you recoup your money. But at the same time, because of my
status and the kind of person I am, I always want to do what I want to
do.
You being a Benin woman, why did you choose to act in Yoruba movies?
I’ll say it’s providence because it’s not by choice. I didn’t know I
would be more prominent in the Yoruba movie genre. But I’m a
professional- I studied Theater Arts at the University of Lagos. So
maybe this is where God wants me to be for now.
Actually, I started off acting in soaps. I did a couple of soaps
before going into Yoruba movies. And it was after I featured in few
Yoruba movies that I started getting more scripts from Yoruba movie
producers. It’s not as if I don’t get called up by non-Yoruba movie
producers and it’s not as if I don’t want to diversify to feature in
English movies or even produce mine, but for now, I’m okay with where I
am .
*Mercy
You’re so fluent in Yoruba. Did you grow up in the West?