Young and enterprising actress,Tonto Charity Dikeh, also known as Tonto Dike (born June 9, 1985), is a Nigerian actress and singer from Rivers State and is of the Ikwerre Tribe. Dikeh, is from a family of seven. She opened to The Shalloma's Platform Entertainer about her career, Nollywood and other issues.Excerpts:
In 2005 i competed against other contestants on a reality TV show called The Next Movie Star; i was the first runner up. My appearance on the show was as a means of getting closer to the "big time", and my startup in the Nigerian movie industry.
Actually, after the Dirty Secret (2010), more movie directors and producers were willing to cast me, and have appeared in series of movies since. Actually, my role in the movie "Dirty Secret" has generated controversy amongst Nigerians, because the movie contains nude scenes. While some criticize my role of being untraditional and un-African, others say that am merely being professional.
In January 2011 i took part in a charity fashion show in Lagos with Banky W., Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and others.
I have done more of Films than fashion; so I will say Films have brought out the best in me.
You’ve been in the movie industry for about 9 years, how has it been?
Actually I have spent 9 years in the industry which many are not aware of. But so far so good, it’s been a wonderful experience because this is an industry I came into as a teenager and I have grown into adulthood with lots of experience. This is an industry where I have lived all my life.
It was a wonderful experience because it was a pot pouri of so many things. But the thing is just that I feel myself more in music unlike movie, as an introvert some people thought I was arrogant. Back in school, cause actually I really went to a music school, I used to have few friends because a lot of people never really understood me. Apart from that, it was a nice experience because I was recognised among my peers, my tutor also recognised me and this gave me an edge among my colleagues.
I have so many...
of them as friends. In fact, I have more guys than girls as friends.
(Laughter) More than enough, all the same it was fun. Thank God that I was recognised then, and even now when I go out people stop to greet and shower encomium on me, saying they love my acting, among other things.
The advantage is that you get recognised anywhere you go, like people paying for goods you bought at supermarkets. But the bad aspect of it is that people often believe that the role you play in films is your true character. For example, if you play the role of a runs babe/prostitute they may call you ‘asewo’ or a witch if you play the role of a witch. But so far, thank God for my uderstanding...
No, not all the time. I have also been acting some crazy roles, like a film, Dirty Secret (2010), which has a continuation of "Guilty As Sin". where I acted the role of..., you known naa (Smiles) Shalloma must I say everyfin. I guess you should go and watch the movie if you are so interested, just imagine how serious you are currently (Laughter).
When I am given such roles, I would sometimes go in search to learn how local babe behave. I would go to the motor parks and observe how the touts behave, because such roles center around how those girls behave. That’s a bit challenging.
To me, there is no big deal kissing or going topless on set. I don’t see anything wrong in it. It depends on the individual.
Going topless means no pant, no bra, hmmm! Shalloma's Blog(Smiles). Well actually I can go totally nude but I guess i will prefer bikini.
No comment.(Smiling)
Nop, I have not made money but I have made something that is okay for me. At least, I have been paying my bills.
I haven’t. I got a proposal but I ended up not doing it. Apart for fun.
Of course, I will get married but not now.
Why are you asking?..lol
Well they should come if they are interested.
The only bad experience I had was some producers asking me to pay into their bank accounts after auditioning, and sadly most of the productions did not see the light of the day.
I can remember from 2010 to 2011, I was paying money into the bank accounts of some producers. But thank God the industry is changing now.
- How did you come into acting?
In 2005 i competed against other contestants on a reality TV show called The Next Movie Star; i was the first runner up. My appearance on the show was as a means of getting closer to the "big time", and my startup in the Nigerian movie industry.
Actually, after the Dirty Secret (2010), more movie directors and producers were willing to cast me, and have appeared in series of movies since. Actually, my role in the movie "Dirty Secret" has generated controversy amongst Nigerians, because the movie contains nude scenes. While some criticize my role of being untraditional and un-African, others say that am merely being professional.
In January 2011 i took part in a charity fashion show in Lagos with Banky W., Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and others.
- Between films and fashion, which has brought out the best in you?
I have done more of Films than fashion; so I will say Films have brought out the best in me.
You’ve been in the movie industry for about 9 years, how has it been?
Actually I have spent 9 years in the industry which many are not aware of. But so far so good, it’s been a wonderful experience because this is an industry I came into as a teenager and I have grown into adulthood with lots of experience. This is an industry where I have lived all my life.
- You were combining Singing with acting, how were you able to cope?
It was a wonderful experience because it was a pot pouri of so many things. But the thing is just that I feel myself more in music unlike movie, as an introvert some people thought I was arrogant. Back in school, cause actually I really went to a music school, I used to have few friends because a lot of people never really understood me. Apart from that, it was a nice experience because I was recognised among my peers, my tutor also recognised me and this gave me an edge among my colleagues.
- What about the guys?
I have so many...
of them as friends. In fact, I have more guys than girls as friends.
- And more than enough toasters?
(Laughter) More than enough, all the same it was fun. Thank God that I was recognised then, and even now when I go out people stop to greet and shower encomium on me, saying they love my acting, among other things.
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of being popular?
The advantage is that you get recognised anywhere you go, like people paying for goods you bought at supermarkets. But the bad aspect of it is that people often believe that the role you play in films is your true character. For example, if you play the role of a runs babe/prostitute they may call you ‘asewo’ or a witch if you play the role of a witch. But so far, thank God for my uderstanding...
- But you have been acting the role of a lover girl?
No, not all the time. I have also been acting some crazy roles, like a film, Dirty Secret (2010), which has a continuation of "Guilty As Sin". where I acted the role of..., you known naa (Smiles) Shalloma must I say everyfin. I guess you should go and watch the movie if you are so interested, just imagine how serious you are currently (Laughter).
- What are the challenges of playing such roles?
When I am given such roles, I would sometimes go in search to learn how local babe behave. I would go to the motor parks and observe how the touts behave, because such roles center around how those girls behave. That’s a bit challenging.
- To what extent can you go on set?
To me, there is no big deal kissing or going topless on set. I don’t see anything wrong in it. It depends on the individual.
- So you can go topless on set?
Going topless means no pant, no bra, hmmm! Shalloma's Blog(Smiles). Well actually I can go totally nude but I guess i will prefer bikini.
- You mean you can go topless on set?
- For how much can you go nude?
No comment.(Smiling)
- Have you really made money, I mean money! from acting?
Nop, I have not made money but I have made something that is okay for me. At least, I have been paying my bills.
- Apart from acting, have you also considered modeling?
I haven’t. I got a proposal but I ended up not doing it. Apart for fun.
- Any plan to get married?
Of course, I will get married but not now.
- Are you in a relationship?
Why are you asking?..lol
- So that guys can know whether you are free or not?
Well they should come if they are interested.
- You can’t tell me that you had an easy ride coming into the industry. What were the experiences you had?
The only bad experience I had was some producers asking me to pay into their bank accounts after auditioning, and sadly most of the productions did not see the light of the day.
- Can you remember some of the productions and how much did you pay?
I can remember from 2010 to 2011, I was paying money into the bank accounts of some producers. But thank God the industry is changing now.
Nice one @Dikeh
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