Rita Dominic Goes To Malawi

Indeed, the Nigerian movies star, Rita Uchenna Nkem Dominic Nwaturocha has transformed from just a lady with a passion for make believe to becoming one of the continents best and the toast of just about everyone. Hailed as Nigeria's answer to Hollywood's Julia Roberts and described by the soft sell medium as Nigeria's sexiest actress probably because of her glowing skin and the fact that she is always gorgeously dressed, the actress of Igbo stock who was born into royalty-to the family of Mazi Dominic, a sibling of Eze Nwaturocha, the famous King from Aborh Mbaise in Imo State is by far one of Nigeria's respected and compelling actresses; one of the few with no equal in their own kind of game and perhaps one of the few actors too who drops off acts with fiscal realism.

It is these qualities that have made producers both within and outside the country seek and engage her as long as she was free. A theatre arts graduate of the University of Port Harcourt who with her acting streaks sit pretty comfortable on the chart of Nollywood personalities whose creativity and competence is not in doubt, the delectable and down to earth Rita who enjoys a merited listing amongst the sectors recognizable, top rated and if you like highest paid actresses will be in Malawi for the better part of May 2009 as a guest of the pay Channel Providers Multi-choice.

A star actress who was guaranteed star status after her effort in Basorge Tariah Jnr's 'My Guy' - her debut movie appearance, it is probably because the personable Rita and star of Izu Ojukwu's 'White Water' and 'Distance Between' has become a subject of affection for millions and a screen idol to so many youths across the continent that she was picked for this tour which she admits means so much to her. The old girl and pupil of YWCA Nursery School Aba, Constitution Crescent primary school Aba in Abia state and Federal Government college Ikot Ekpenne.-where she actually got the opportunity to strut her acting stuff speaks on the tour and on her career and life

Rita Goes To Malawi
It's a great feeling. It's an opportunity to meet my fans in that part of Africa and honestly I am looking forward to it. So, it's amazing. It's a good feeling. It's not my first tour outside Nigeria but there is something about this particular tour that I can't just explain. I have been to several other African countries like Liberia and Ghana. It's usually a big event and like I said it affords one the opportunity to meet fans and exchange notes with them. I mean these are people who have been seeing your works on television and now they have an opportunity to see you one on one. I am going to Malawi to meet with my fans. I am going to be holding talks with different groups including those in government like the Cabinet Minister- Minister of Information. I am going to be doing some charity work. I am going to be visiting some orphanages and of course I am going to be promoting DSTV and African Magic especially. I am told that there will be so many autograph signing sessions, cocktails and meetings with different groups. I am seriously looking forward to the tour

Movie Run
I have been working. There has been no break for me at all. I have worked in Sierra Leone and I have worked in Ghana and in London. I have been very busy and I have not stopped working. We just released a movie I starred in called Distance Between into the market. It's directed by Izu Ojukwu. I think it's a very good film. I have some other movies, about six of them that have not been released and I am sure that by the time they are released you will understand what I mean when I say that I have been working.

Rita's Staying Power
I think it's God and also having the passion for the arts and thirdly being very selective with the kind of work you do. You know I have been very choosy with the kind of work I do in the last couple of years, particularly in the last two years. Having done so many commercial movies, one is now more interested in works that will stretch me more as an actor. Most of my movies that have not been released fall in that category. I think it's time to take up roles that will stretch one a bit and I am looking for such stories to feature in.

Rita and Fashion
It comes as a surprise to me when people describe me as a fashion icon and all that. I just feel I dress like any other person. I just pick something from my wardrobe and I wear it. I really don't pay much attention to what I want to wear or think over what I want to wear to the next function. I just pick what I am comfortable in and off I go. But what I know I love and I have a passion for is shoes. I love shoes even more than clothes really. But in terms of whether I am considering dropping a clothing line, well it may not be a clothing line but something else which I will let you know as soon as I am ready. There is a plan for a line and when the time comes, you will definitely know.

Nollywood
Well right now honestly there is a recession in Nollywood and what this means is that we are waiting for a better industry to emerge. We are having problems but I believe that once we get past these problems, we will enter a better future for Nollywood. I strongly hold that given the right environment and the same budget like our counterpart in other parts of the world, we would do far better than them. I mean we have the talents here. So funding has to improve for things to take shape.

Memorable Works
Distance Between and White Waters directed by Izu Ojukwu. I also like my effort in All My Life as directed by Tchidi Chikere. There is this one that I shot with Izu Ojukwu again that is not out. Felix Odion wrote the story. We shot it just this February. There are also four five movies that I shot this year that I hold very close to my heart. Of course not forgetting my earlier efforts like My Guy, Night of Riots, Throwing Stones, I believe in you starring Richard Mofe Damijo, Single and Married and All my life. I still remember Single and Married because I dealt decisively with my husband's first wife. But it was All my life by Tchidi Chikere that placed me on a certain pedestal back then. I wanted my fans to see me play something different. Something outside what they are used to seeing you play in movies.

Gains and Pains of The Profession
Well I am not begging for food on the street. I feed myself and pay my bills and so I think that is most important to me really. As for the pains, Well this is what is it..i live my life for the public. There are things you can't hide. That's the truth. Most times I try, the things I can keep to myself I keep to myself because my life is already out there in the public...I don't pay much attention to rumours or what they say or write about me. There was a time I read that Jim Iyke and I ran away to some Island and got married secretly. But I really don't pay attention to all that because there will definitely be stories about me because of the kind of job I do. They will always write things about me whether true and untrue. There is a recent one they wrote that I was dating someone in Chevron. I even went on my face book and told my friends that if you know you are that friend that works at chevron please stand up! So I really don't pay attention to all those stories. I just be myself and I Just keep doing my work. I am always ready to work and I am prepared to work anywhere, in any country as long as the story is good and as long as the role I am going to play will stretch me to my limits.