You see,I'm not a big fan of nigerian home videos.Most times,i watch them simply to criticise & laugh at the dodgy acting.I must confess that i also enjoy watching those 2 popular,little actors who can almost literally crack your ribs with their consistently hilarious roles.However,whenever my channel flipping on DSTV took me to Africa Magic(the abode of nollywood movies),one thing was certain to make me stay to view for a while.Actually,one person.Genevieve Nnaji,one of nollywood's most popular & beautiful actresses.If Miss Nnaji was starring in the movie been screened at the time,i was sure to watch it for at least 10 mins.I guess,from this,it's obvious that i like her.Yes,i admit.I always have.From the first couple of movies i saw her in,i became drawn.Why?Well,she's cute,determined,hard-working,doing great as a single mum & so on.I even bought her disastrous debut CD,in which she comically tried her hands at singing.Now,it'll be of no surprise to you that i would have seized any opportunity to meet her.I had seen her from a distance at a fashion show my company sponsored 3 yrs ago,but that was the closest i got.So,about a month ago,i was in VI on my way to join some friends for drinks when i decided to quickly stop at a well-known supermarket near the Mega Plaza mall,for some urgently needed toiletries.
I was scanning through the shelves when i turned round to see the one & only 'Queen of Nollywood' right behind me.Genevieve,in the flesh-up close and personal.Just 2 feet away,looking at some facial products.I froze.Miss Nnaji was right in front of me,but i did nothing.She even stole a glance as she moved over to my shelf in continuation of her shopping activity.As a typical naija citizen,i inexplicably acted as if i didnt know her.Like she was just any 'ok-looking' female in brown shorts & a yellow tank top.I stole glances intermittently,but that's where my bravery stopped.After she picked up what she wanted,my eyes escorted her to the till like Secret Service men on President Bush.I then noticed that the female cashier was star-struck.She kept smiling sheepishly at the petite home video star.By now,so too were half the people in the store who had clearly recognised her.Shoppers & workers alike.She smiled back at the visually excited cashier,paid for her stuff & left.
Can you imagine?Genevieve was 20 inches in front of me & i didn't say a single word(or even an alphabet for that matter).Nothing.Why didn't i at least say hello?Or just say 'Hi,I'm a big fan of your work'?Or ask how her daughter was doing?
I guess it's true what they say.There are more questions than answers.
10 comments:
methinks you were starstruck!
I think it's more of a Nigerian Mentality. We dont say hello to supposed celebrities cos we believe we are on the same level, if not better than them! I believe it's only in Nigeria, where if Britney went shopping, we'd just glance at her and continue with what we were doing. I dont think you were start struck, just more afraid that if you said hello, she might react in an unfriendly way and as nigerians, we are very proud and guarded in our public behavior/display!
I've met her on several occassions and i can assure you, i behaved as though i have never watched tv in my life and even if i did, she was nothing to me than the next human being(Which in actual fact is the truth)
Charlie...this one is funny.I can totally relate.Well she's a fine broad and she acts her roles well.Obviously you can't comprehend not saying even an alphabet.You were just caught off guard(I'm not going to say star-struck).But the flipside though is its good you didn't say hi.I'm sure she's used to attention and might find usual comments boring.Besides it would look like you don't jisoro.Why didn't she say hi?Anyway,I didn't know she was petite.Or maybe next to her you are a giant(laughs).
That was hilarious! Trust me Charlie, you are not alone...most Nigerians never acknowledge 'stars'for fear of being 'chinned'
well, i think i agree with free spirit in naija.i have a friend who is "vaguely" popular and she never ceases to amaze me.One day, someone got stuck in a pothole in Lekki, she got out of her car and wore her wellies to go push the car out of the water...she is just a friendly sort.I like the way your blog is going...
Chakams! U fall ya hand! Well, totally understandable and I hear she does have that effect on people, I have witnessed it first hand. What I can say is that she is a sweet lady and would have said Hi right back!
Na d thing wey you no want tell me abi?
M!
Chakamsssss!!!! Na wao! so liver fail you. Na one of those things. Me i dey see am for abuja and i no dey greet am. No be becos liver fail me, na simply becos i no want. Chikena!
Absolutely star struck mate..lol..
But thats odd for tho Charlie, I'd never taken you for someone who could get celebrity shy..lol..
But I know e-x-a-c-t-l-y what you mean about making like nothing big's happening when you see a local celebrity..I was on my way to Port Harcourt a few yrs back, just after the 1st BBA, when I turned round after buying my ticket and who was right there? Bayo from BBA1!!
And all I could do was smile goofily & say to him "hello!! how are you????" and guy looks at me like o-k? and says he's fine and I turned right around and headed for departure to board my flight leaving him surprised thinking I had more to say..lol..
So the moral of the story is: I feel you..lol..
PS Is she as pretty in real life?
I would have done the same though I think she is good at what she does !
I met Omotola @ the airport sometime ago and I just breezed passed her!( she is not on my Favourite list ) But if I see Abike Dabiri or Fummi Iyanda , I would definitely say hello …..
Yes they are on my favourite list.
I must say she's a very down-to-earth & friendly person. Met her b4 two yrs ago at one of her recent film's premiere and took a pic with her.
Post a Comment