"My selling points are my swag, my diction, and my eyes"- Elsie Eluwa

Having been discouraged by her friends that she would have to get roles with her body, beautiful Elsie Eluwa against their advice decided to try and today she is among the emerging actresses serenading television screens.

Armed with a degree in Accounting from the University of Wales and an authority in Beauty and Makeup from the London School of Beauty and Makeup, Eluwa has featured in a couple of movies such as “Finding Mercy”, “Misfit” and “Desperate Ambition.”
The 34-year-old Abia State-born role interpreter who is also a movie producer has starred alongside top stars like Mercy Johnson, Patience Ozokwo, Mike Ezeronye, among many others. Hear her story. Excerpts:

 

 

Tell us about your academic background?
I was born and raised in Ibadan. I attended Staff School Ibadan for my Primary Education, International School Ibadan (ISI) for my secondary Education, then went to University of Lagos where I did a diploma in Sociology. And after this, I left for England where I got my university degree in Accounting from the University of Wales. After I graduated, I immediately went to London School of Beauty and Makeup and started to fuel my love for Fashion.

Could you explain why you ended up as an actress despite your degree in Accounting?
My journey into acting began like that of a lot of folks in the entertainment industry. I started very young from church and took it into school. I became a very active member of the drama team, both in church and in school. I did one stage drama in the late 90’s “As the Sun Comes Down”. That got a lot of hype. But it was about that time that I went off to the university and then dabbled more into presenting and media.
I knew I had a creative streak for a long time, so after I left school I went in pursuit of creative fulfillment. I went into makeup and fashion, both of which I was successful at but I just didn’t get that satisfaction I desired, so when I returned to Nigeria I wanted to go straight into Nollywood but my friends would not hear of it as they gave me the impression that I was going to have to use my body to get in. But after a number of years I didn’t get the fulfillment from anything else, so I decided to try. And I honestly feel stupid for wasting the years that I did. Even though I believe in all things, God’s time is the best. For all the time I have been there, I have not once gotten any indecent proposal.

Now that you are fully into acting, are your friends right about using your body to get in?
It is an industry full of men and women. And where men and women are, they are bound to relate. Men would naturally approach you but it’s a woman’s prerogative to accept or decline. As for me I haven’t gotten one job based on sleeping with anyone. And I haven’t lost one based on not accepting to sleep with anyone.
But some people would say there is no smoke without fire. I can only speak for myself and my own personal encounter in the industry.

How did you get your first acting role in Nollywood?
I would forever be grateful to Desmond Elliot for granting me the opportunity even when he didn’t know me. I approached him and sent him my profile and all that was needed to prove I could do it. And one day, out of the blues, I got a call.

Which of the movies is most challenging?
I would say “Finding Mercy”If any at all.
I really don’t think I have gotten any role that has challenged me just yet.

Can you act nude in a movie?
My first instinct would be to say a big capital no. But I’ve learnt over the years never to say never. But before that can happen, there must be so many right reasons.

What is your selling point?
My selling points are first, my carriage (swag) second, my diction, third, my eyes. Although I dare say I can be called hot.

What are the things you think need to change in Nollywood?
Nollywood has evolved over the years. But of course, there are still so many aspects that need to be worked on even though we are gradually getting there. No matter how well you can act, we all need to upgrade every once in a while. Also when it comes to stunts, we have a long way to go. Our scripts are improving greatly as we used to be a bit predictable.

I also think, it’s about time the industry players such as distributors, directors, producers and all such, start to give opportunities to up and coming actors. There are people out there who are so talented and gifted but can’t get the roles that can throw them into limelight because the roles are already reserved for the known faces. Because the distributors say that it’s some particular faces that would sell the movies. While I’m sure there is some truth in that, I tell you there are some up and coming actors that have the ability to blow you away with the talent they carry.