Desmond Elliot
Desmond Elliot is easily one of the
fastest rising stars in the Nigerian home
video sector. He shot into limelight through
television soap operas and was soon to
become a regular face in Nollywood movies
such that tracking him down for an interview
became almost impossible.
Elliot has also been to many parts of the
globe, as his acting skills have made him a
well sought after artiste. Besides, he has
become a role model in Nollywood such that
he often becomes first choice for every
producer in search of artistes for romantic
roles.
In a recent chat with Daily Sun, Elliot
recalled how a friend lured him into acting.
He also spoke about his ambition to become
the executive governor of Lagos State in the
nearest future and why he married an Akwa–Ibom
woman:
Background
I was born to a Yoruba father and an Ibo
mother. I grew up in the Northern part of
the country and I am married to an Akwa-Ibom
woman. I had my primary education at Air
Force Primary school in Jos from where I
went to St John’s College also in Jos. I
studied Economics at the Lagos State
University, Ojo, Lagos and graduated in
2003.
It was a friend who influenced me to become
an actor. My friend wasn’t an actor but he
always felt that I was cut out for the
entertainment industry. As a Christian, I
felt that the best thing for me to do was to
pray about it. I prayed and asked God to
help me make a choice. It wasn’t easy but I
thank God that He intervened and revealed to
me that I should join the industry. I first
started with soap operas such as Everyday
People, One Too Much, Wale Adenuga’s Super
Stories and Saints and Sinners. I still
feature in Everday People but I moved into
the movie industry gradually and today the
rest is history.
Between Soaps and Video
Anywhere in the world, film and video have
always been quite challenging and rewarding
to practitioners. Even in more developed
countries most great movie stars move from
television to movies. For example, Bruce
Willies moved from Moonlighting to movies
and Will Smith went from Fresh Prince Of
Barley to Men in Black. For me, movies are
more demanding and rewarding than soap
operas.
Becoming governor of Lagos
I am looking forward to becoming the elected
governor of Lagos State in not too distant
future, but definitely not in 2007. I want
to serve the people of Lagos and I know I
can do it. People say that politics is a
dirty game, I don’t know exactly how dirty
it can get but my intention basically is to
serve humanity.
Why I run from women
Women chase me because I am an actor and if
they don’t do that it simply means that I am
not yet an actor. In fact, being chased is
not the issue, what matters is that whenever
I perceive that I am about to be chased, I
run. I run because I have an ambition, which
I don’t want women to ruin for me. I run
from them if they want to go beyond the
level of being my fans to another level.
Realising a character
When I receive a new script, I usually take
my time to study it. Thereafter, I hold a
discussion with the director on what is
expected of me in the movie. Then I move on
to develop a suitable character that will go
well with what the entire production is all
about.
Turn off
I don’t like people flashing me. I mean if
you want to give a call, go ahead and do so,
it is of no use flashing me.
I also feel bad when the up-coming artistes
are not given the necessary opportunity to
come into the industry and fully realise
their potentials. Another thing that really
puts me off is when some directors want to
turn actors to zombies by casting them
stereotypically into such roles as lover
boy, gentleman, tough guy and all that.
Personally, I like to see an actor take up
different roles and interpreting them well.
Nollywood
The fact that the Nigerian movie industry is
growing is what particularly turns me on,
thanks to all those that are making it
happen such as the marketers, directors,
producers and others
Nollywood contributes to the nation’s
economy because quite a number of people are
involved and are earning their livelihood
from it. The only problem is that our
government is yet to fully realise the great
economic advantage that lies in tapping into
the industry. America and India have tapped
into Hollywood and Bollywood respectively
and the result is quite rewarding.
Government should come and invest in the
industry, the marketers have done great jobs
by investing their money to prove that the
sector is lucrative.
Popularity
First, I did not pay for this talent, it is
a gift from God and whatever comes from God
is mine. At the same time, God gave it to me
and reserves the right to take it back if
you fail to use the gift to make people
happy and contribute to the good of
humanity. So, there is nothing star in my
dictionary. I don’t see myself as a star,
rather I see myself as someone who wants to
manifest God’s gift to bless people, to
bless myself and everything around me. I
want people to be happy around me, not just
to call me a star.
Relaxation
I basically relax with my wife whenever the
opportunity comes, especially if I am in
town and not involved in a tedious job. I
have a special form of relaxation, I just
choose a suitable time and free myself from
every form of stress.
On AIDS
My advice is that people should abstain from
sex or be faithful to their partners. There
is no alternative to it This may be
difficult but it is the only way a young
person can save his or her life in this era
of HIV. The rule is not merely playing the
so-called safe but to abstain.
Piracy
Piracy is a crime that government and the
people have to fight. It is unfortunate that
the pirates make all the money from products
they had no input in manufacturing. I also
feel very bad when I hear or see a movie
that I feature in being pirated.
Foundation for the less privileged
This is one of my strategies as a
politician. I don’t want to be accused of
corruption. I am looking at the vision of a
Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwaznneger who
both saw the need to put something back to
society by leaving their glamour
world for elective offices to serve the
people.
Marriage
Although people say I got married late but
the truth is that I dated my wife for about
eight years before we finally got married.
My kind of job may have exposed me to the
opposite sex but the truth is that my wife
means the whole world to me. I appreciate my
wife and I married her basically for love
and nothing else. She is so understanding
and caring. These are the two vital
attributes I find lacking in most women of
today.
Upcoming actors
The Bible teaches that anything that happens
to a man comes by time and chance. So, I
urge the younger artistes to aspire to be
great. They shouldn’t lose hope or get
frustrated. They should face their career no
matter the obstacle they may encounter and
keep working hard.
For example, many people frustrated me
before I could get to the level that I am
now. But any serious young artiste can also
overcome the odds. Above all, what every
youth should do is to keep a low head and
when the opportunity to shoot into limelight
comes, grab it.
A true Nigerian
I understand the three major Nigerian
languages but I speak more of Hausa because
that is the language I grew up with.
Movies
They include:Magic Moment by Infinity Films
Production; Last Oath: An Okoro Ugwu film,
which equally starred Stella Damascus
Aboderin and Ngozi Ezeonu. Others include:
True Romance 1 and 2, directed by Chico
Ejiro but produced by Arinze Ephrian; With
Love, a movie directed by Osita Okoli but
produced by Vitus Nnebue. The movie featured
other artistes like Rita Dominic, Hanks
Anuku, Ashley Nwosu, Abubakar Yakubu and
Mike Nliams. Another movie I featured in is
Wild Rose, which equally featured Omotola
Jolade, Shan George and Fred Amata.
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