"l started doing what my mates were not doing, I have a sweet and lovely shape"- Blessingn Patrick

Blessing Patrick is one of  the fast-rising actresses in Nollywood. She talks about her life as an actress, model and fashion designer.

My name is Blessingn Patrick. I’m an actress from Cross River State. I studied Sociology and Anthropology at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology. I joined Nollywood through a friend who was also passionate about acting.

I used to accompany her to locations as well as  movie auditions. Then people were trying to discourage me. Particularly, my parents were objecting to it, saying “You can’t  go into acting because you need to go to school”. But despite their objection, I was still going to locations with my friend. There and then, I made my contacts and later, returned to school. Professionally, I started acting in 2011.  

The first person that gave me my first role was Solomon Akpete, popularly known as Solo Amaco. And the movie was called “Daughters of Eve” featuring Mercy Johnson and Majid Michel. I have also done other movies including “Sexy Vampires”, “Masquerade Dancers”, “Midwifes”, “Tears of a Holy” “Heart, Kings’ Bed”, “My World”, “Enter the Place” and so on.

So far, it has been a worthwhile experience. It is said that nothing good comes easily.But I give God all the glory. Things have been working out according to God’s plan. There was this moment in my career when I did the movie titled,   ‘King’s Bed’. I had a lot of experiences on that set. I had to do what is not really me. Though I’m still looking forward to taking up a very challenging role in a movie. I’ve done a couple of movies, but I’m yet to do any movie that has really challenged me to the extreme. I don’t have any regrets doing what I’m  doing today.

In the course of pursuing my career in acting, I have won a couple of awards. Among them were the City People Best New Actress of the Year Award 2013( English), Best New Actress of the Year at the Nigeria Media Nite Out Award 2013 and Gbedu Recognition Award. I feel so blessed that God is really with me , watching over me and supporting my efforts. Winning these awards and getting all  these recognitions meant a lot of things to me.

My parents were initially not in support of my becoming an actress. But they don’t have a choice because this is what I love to do. I can’t do anything that  has nothing to do with  entertainment. They realised that I have also given them what they wanted. My movies are quite inspiring. When they watch them, they are happy for me. As an actress, I look up to God in the  first place.  I also look up to so many stars like Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Rita Dominic and Joke Silva. I want to act  alongside  Ramsey Noah, Rita Dominic and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde.

Besides acting, I also write. I’m the Editor of Infinity Fashion and Style Magazine as well as a model. I hope to go into movie production soon. If I wasn’t acting,I’d be a  fashion  designer. Combining acting, modelling and fashion designing  is not a problem for me. This is  because they are things I love doing, I just try to strike a balance. When I was a little girl, I used to watch movies a lot. I knew I was going to end up becoming an actress. I can fit into any role because that is what makes me  an actress, provided I will not be required to go nude.I am passionate about my job as an actress. Acting is my hobby.

My childhood was memorable because l started doing what my mates were not doing at the time. I was always with my mother who was a great fashion designer and I practically learnt all that l needed to know about  fashion designing from her. in fact, my mother made it compulsory for me to learn how to handle a sewing machine when l was growing up. Perhaps, she knew that she won’t be with me for too long. She left me with a legacy and today, I am who I am because of her.

When it comes to style, I dress the way I want to be addressed. My style is me. I have a sweet and lovely shape. At least, that is what people say. But I believe what sells me is the finger of God in my life. It is by God’s grace and hard work that I have been able to attain the height that I have reached today and I hope to be a shining example to the young ones.