Tonto Dike – To Play or Not to Play Nu–?
May 3, 2008 Posted by 
WatchMan
An undergraduate in the Petro-chemical Engineering at the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, pretty 23 year-old Tonto Dike is determined to climb to the peak of her acting career. Her emergence into the movie industry in less than three years have won her credits, in over 30 movies.
She has featured in movies such as Missing Rib, Last Mission, Secret Mission, Rush Hour, Final Hour, Fatal Mistake, Family Disgrace, Plain Truth, Miss Maradonna, Divine Grace, Tea or Coffee, 7 Graves, Crisis In Paradise, Insecurity, Mortal Desire, among others.
She speaks on her acting career for which she has a great passion, saying she might act nude if there is the need to do so.
What informed your acting career?
I’ve always had the passion for acting and when the opportunity came I grabbed it.
You never thought of studying Theater Arts in school?
It may be embarrassing to say this, but I feel studying Theater Arts in school is like a waste of time. Some people can sing while some learn how to sing. I’m not the kind of person who will learn how to act, although I love to learn how to improve acting but it is just a talent in me.
How did you get into acting and which was your first movie?
I got into the industry after I left the reality TV show “The next movie star” 2005 where I was first runner up, to the winner Kingsley Ogboso. And from there, I started looking for contacts and fortunately for me, a lot of people saw my talent. During the AMAA 2005 awards, I got introduced to Amaco brothers and that was how I bagged my first movie role.
I can’t remember the title of my first movie right now but I know that I starred with Desmond Eliot, Uncle Pete Edochie, Nonso Diobi, Nkiru Sylvanus, and Uncle Larry Coldsweat and today within a period of three years I’m up there in the industry.
How many movies do you have to your credit?
I have a whole lot of them, released and yet to be released. I have lost count. Some of the movies include, Missing Rib, Last Mission, Secret Mission, Rush Hour, Final Hour, Fatal Mistake, Family Disgrace, Plain Truth, Miss Maradonna, Divine Grace, Tea or Coffee, 7 Graves, Crisis In Paradise, Insecurity, Mortal Desire, etc.
How do you coping with the industry?
It’s been wonderful. Acting to me is like a dream come true and I’m happy that I grabbed the opportunity when it came.
How do you combine the acting career with your studies?
I give God the glory. It has not been easy because I have to travel from Port Harcourt to Lagos and to wherever we are shooting. But I thank God that somehow, I have a lot of people that are backing me up and I have been coping.
The road is not usually smooth. There are bound to be challenges. Can you recall any of those challenges you have encountered?
Sincerely, I don’t think I’ve had to go through any challenge. This is because I don’t see them as challenges.
I’m a very prayerful person. I believe so much in God and it seems like everything just falls at my feet. Anything I want just falls at my feet. I can’t say I’ve had to go through challenges since I got into the industry.
How has stardom affected your day to day activities on campus?
It has not affected me, instead, it has added value to my bank account and given me fame.
So how much do you earn for a movie?
I can only tell you that I am comfortable.
Have you had any embarrassing moment for playing a particular role?
Yes I have had lots of it. There was this day I went to a grocerry store and someone walked up to me and said, ‘you know, you are actually very, very pretty but I think you should stop kissing men like that in movies and I just stood there stupefied.
What if you are paid to act nude, will you do it?
Well when I get to the bridge, I shall cross it. It’s my profession. What the hell am I supposed to do?
So you mean you are likely to do it?
I might, yes.
So who is that lucky guy in your life right now?
I have a very special man in my life and I’m sorry I can’t talk about it because I like my privacy.
How soon are you going to the altar?
I don’t know.
Who is your kind of man?
Everybody says I’m a very weird girl because I love short men. I love God- fearing men, men whoare ready to listen, men who are not authoritative, who can back you up in any situation and most especially, a man who understands the movie industry inside out. I need my man to be strong and supportive.
So you mean this special man in your life is qualified in all ramifications?
Yes, he qualifies in every way.
Is he a movie person?
No he’s not. But he understands every bit of it.
How does he feel when he watches your movies?
He watches them but he always tells me that if you are going to do something that I’m not going to like, keep them away from me.
What was growing up like?
My growing up was fun. Although I lost my mom when I was three years old but growing up was the best for me because I had everybody at my back. I had attention. I had love and my father was always there for us because it was always like, ‘their mom is not around we have to be there.’ My aunties were there and so also were my friends.
Are you the first child?
I am the third and the second girl in a family of five.
How supportive was your father when you wanted to go into acting?
In my home where I grew up, we were all raised differently from Nigerian mentality. My dad is a free spirited person.
When he went into politics, I sat him down and I told him that I don’t like it. He said he likes it and I said well, if that is what you love to do go ahead and enjoy yourself. So the first time I got into acting, he called me and said ‘this is not what I love for you to do but if this is what you want, do it right and do it responsibly’ and that’s it and till today he has been there for me.
My father is my friend. I call him my boyfriend because we are that close.
Talking about your outlook, the tattoo, the hair colour and all, are these part of your signature?
The hairstyle is me. This is Tonto. I’m trying to bring back that hairstyle because I felt a part of me died at a point when I stopped wearing it. I was being choked because I was trying to please everybody, my fans, the directors but right now, I don’t care. I just want to be me.
And the tattoo?
Yes, this is me.
What do you think about having sex to get roles in Nollywood, is it real?
I’m not going to counter that totally, it happens.
Have you ever been sexually harassed?
I have not. There is something about the way you package yourself that attracts sexual harassment. And just because I’m new in the industry does not mean that every Tom Dick and Harry will have to sleep with me to give me a role.
I place myself on a particular level where I want to be, so even if I become a shining star tomorrow, nobody will say, she slept with me to get roles.
Being a young and pretty girl, you must have numerous advances from men. How do you handle them when they come?
If I don’t know you, I come on as an unfriendly person. I’m very uptight and I don’t bullshit people. I tell you straight off ‘this is how it is for me, this is what I can do and can’t do. But that may not be the real me because, I have a lot of friends right now.
You never can tell where help might come from tomorrow. Someone walks up to me one day in Shoprite just to talk with me and I never knew the guy from Adam but I was nice to him. Unknown to me, the guy works in the American Embassy and he helped me when I went to get my visa.
A lot of people will like you, a lot of people will want to sleep with you but the way you go about it is what matters.
What is the craziest thing a male fan ever said to you?
Kiss me in public.
So what was your reaction?
It’s show business. I just let him go.
Who is your role model?
Al Paccino and Julia Roberts.
What is your jewelery taste?
Port Harcourt people like more of the gold thing. We don’t do costume, it is mainly gold, so I prefer gold.
Are you a designer freak?
I shall not say I’m a freak. It’s something I was born into but I’m adapting. Sometimes what I wear is not labeled but has to look good on me. For instance, the jeans is labeled, the top is not but the shoes are.
What about perfumes?
I wear Curious, I Do, Gucci, and Versace.
What are your hobbies?
I love to travel a lot and I love staying at home and reading novels, thrillers and science fiction.
What is your best food?
My best food is Okro soup and Garri, I grew up on that.
Interview by: Funmi Johnson.
SOURCE: Vanguard
Mama G featuring Tonto Dike - This Kind Of Woman:
| 2.5 |
u are such a great atress.game fools play is a great movie.i will lik 2 here 4rom u .
such a great att u are.
\
will someone tell Miss Toto that the bra is called undergarment for a reason and it’s not supposed to be showing when u’re wearing halter tops. And please take some acting lessons.
TONTO,U ARE JUST THE BEST.I CANT SAY MORE THAN THIS COS I LACK WORDS ON HOW I FEEL ABOUT EVERYTHING AROUND U.JUST BELIVE ME,I AM UR GREATEST FAN ALL OVER THE WORLD.BUT BEFORE U ACT ANYTHING RELATED TO BEING NUDE,JUST BE CAREFUL COS I WILL NOT LIKE ANYTHING TO HUNT U LATER OR REGRETS AT LAST.
I WILL LIKE TO CHAT WITH U BY EMAIL,THATS MY ID (mkeecee@yahoo.com)PLS DONT TURN MY OFFER DOWN.ADD ME IN UR CHAT AND SEND ME AN OFFLINE MESSAGE THEN WE WILL FIX THE TIME. OK!!!!!
(TCCIC)
TAKE CARE COS I CARE.
THIS IS KEACY WRITTING FROM BENIN REBUPLIC (COTONOU).
i wish to know if TOto Dike is the daughter of Mama G?i do love her acting very much.may GOD bless her for me.
I am afraid Tonto Dike and Mama G ( Patience Ozokwor) are not related.
well i would like to say kudos, to tonto. i wish her the best in life. i must confess, i like her movies and the above answers she gave at the interview. and i pray that every thing you said should remain like that. tonto, i would like to say ;JUST BE YOUR SELF AND YOU WOULD NOT REGRET ANYTHING!! just like Chioma Akpota
i love u.u are ok can we be fr
nollywood has come to stay.just as hollywood n bollywood.we still need some sanity in the system to propel it foward.
Diko,playing nude in movies is not a novelty, rather the african culture abhores such practice.Diko remember you are a woman and you need a man to settle down with maybe during or after your career.so dear give the society what it deserve.more ideas to your brain.bye
I am superman ,i speaq in frensh ,je cherche une actrisse pour la prendre en mariage
very attractive
HEY TONTO ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT I LOVE U FROM MY HEART AND U ARE VERY PRETTY YOUNG GIRL COMING UP IN LIFE. BE VERY CAREFUL HOW U GO ABOUT IN NIGERIA , BECAUSE I HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT NIGERIA FROM PEOPLE. SO BE YOURSELF AND NOBODY ELSE BECAUSE U ARE PRETTY. ALSO MY BEST AFRICAN FOOD IS OKRO SOUP AND FUFU.
tonto dike u are d bomb thumbs up 4u
U are my best actress and i like d way u interprete ur roles in ur movies u are just natural i like everytin about u
keep up d good work d sky is a stepin stone 4u
Tonto don’t ever think of acting nude, remember u are a woman, women shouldn’t expose themselves & again don’t let money get into ur head. And lastlx, what is the meaning of Tonto? I luv u.
tonto,you are a wonderful girl.pls keep it up.iam nigeriai bassd in holland and will be coming to nigeria soon,could u pls have a dinar with me in abuja,pls dont say no.just want us to be friend,if is fine by you,.pls send me e-mail and i will send my number across to you.
Darling Tonto,ur are one in a million and i love all ur movies.U ARE THE BEST and stay cool.I will be coming to Nigeria shortly and i will like to meet u atleast for a dinner.Pls don’t say NO cuz u are the reason why am coming to Nigeria and can u pls e.mail me ur phone number?Just want to be a friend and guess what!!! people always say if i was the lady that MAMA G featured in her musics because we look alike.
tonto keep it up indeed. tonto is a home breaker, may she not find her way to your homes. a word of advice to toto, what goes around, comes around. good luck to you.
hi tonto diko,i’m mairline like at the bigining; i’m your real fan you know, i leave at drc so i’m congolese all time i follow your movies with ini edo, chioma, ramsens, daesmond i know many famous in nigeria i’m really happy also interested about you styles i love, anothet e_mail:mairline2004@yahoo.fr; you consut at http://www.yahoo.fr i kiss you so much i’m a young girl i’ve juste 18 years old
You are wonderful in MAMA G
Tonto you are really Charming !
Hi There,
Regarding Tonto Dike playing nude scenes, this is all I can tell her:
” Stunningly beautiful Ngozi Ezeonu did not need to show a skin before climbing to the top. What about Patience Ozokwor and Stella Damasus? You certainly dont need to either; you dont need to join the rest of them. Remember, the true value of a woman lies in her moral base. Expose yourself and you would have debased/devalued your womanhood to the lowest level-a whore. The choice is yours.”
Hearty regards,
Thunderfooot
Well i dont relly have much 2 say 4 now……..but if u can plz reach me on dis e-mail ID
I got alot 2 discourse with u….HOPE 2 HERE FRM U SOONEST
I ABSOLUTELY HAVE NOTHING TO SAY,BUT I HAVE A LITTLE.ANGEL OF BEAUTY I ADMIRE YOUR LIPS.PLS REPLY
you are very controversial reading thru your interview.you dont look so Godly as u claimed. learn to avoid presenting urself as so Godly. besides u show off too much for my liking; talking about spa treatments and the likes, learn from star actress rita dominic who has a body to die for but never shows off abt it.
it is left for us to see and judge. i do like you but take these advises seriously so that u can be a better star.screen what you say in public.
First of all why are some people on this site calling her TOTO? where i come from Liberia, toto means Penis and her name is not Penis Dike it’s Tonto Dike. Anyways Tonto i really like your acting.Do your thing and do it good. Don’t pay attention to the haters their job is to hate no matter what a person does. The sky is your limit. Stay bless.
SOME OF THESE INTERVIEWERS NEED TO SLOW DOWN WITH THESE SEXUALLY QUESTIONS. IT SEEMS SOME ARE SEXIST. THEY DON”T ASK THE MALE CELEBRATIES THESE TYPE OF QUESTIONS. But i still love my African kings ad queens.
hi baby girl,
can u call me 4 just a min and i will call u back ok?cos i have something inportante tell u
0034697675592
take care of urself
I want to make freind with tonto dike
I like what u do, keep ur head up
This is my # 416 356 4308
Pls can u sent me urs? Send e-mail direct
Waiting 4 ur reply
Tks
Austin
I want to make friend with Tonto and also know more about here
TONTO HOW GET CONTACT WITH YOU
T.T JUST DO UR THING AM WITH YOU BUT NO NUDE NO NUDITY PLEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ OR I KILL YOU
Girl playing a nude role won’t be the best for a pretty girl like u. Just be urself and always respect ur body. Remember ur body is the temple of the Lord.
Tonto, I have never liked you,because ur acting is too fake….. you are rather too aggresive. Right now, after reading this interview of urs, I can NEVER like u….. You are really proud….. There are many of us who have lived in affluence all our lives and do not brag about it. Needless to say, there are many actors/actresses just like u or rather better than u who grew up in very comfortable homes and do have to say it for pple to know it (eg. Rita Dominic, Monalisa Chinda, Oge Okoye, etc.). Hmmm…. I am so sorry for u….. go and act NUDE since ur family does not have “Nigerian mentality” as u said…. Hmmm…. that ur so called ‘mirage’ boyfriend will soon finally disappear and then we will see u in Church kabashing(praying) for husband. Even in the western world, nudity is considered insanity……. U had better know what u’re doing….. u seem to have a bit of inferiority complex….. mtchuuuuu (hisssss)
Just do yr thing my dear. I like and respect yr personality.
Tonto,
I am very much proud of you. Please keep up the good job. I watched your movies every day and from what I have notice in your acting is that you always put yourself in the acting mood.
I pray that one day you would like to pay a visit to Liberia and that I will also see you in person.
Please keep-up with the good work that you have started.
Please reply me if you have the time
I LOVE,IT’S JESTINA T. KANNAH FROM LIBERIA
uhm to be honest tonto is nice i like her, she one of d guls i like in the movie industry of nigeria. i wonder y people expose their hatred so much like dat 2wards her, she is not an angel. angels are in heaven ha not hear on earth, if an angel is to appear on earth then not yet born. so good people learn to appreciate the little others do for us. tonto ure wonderful but pliz i beg u not to play nude parts, since u claim to be a christian, am a christian too i luv talented people n alwaz appreceiate them but GOD first, dont just say u have no choice if given a nude part, ha my dear u can reject it , a chirstian alwaz has a choice, according to our christain norms n traditions. otherwiz keep it up, we the few shall support u.
dont lose hope upon those funny comments they make on u. go ahead. cheers from Allen mukisa (Kampala-uganda)
ha ha ugandans luv nigerian movies, we call them oga…., u amuse us with doz words of urs, such as oga…, okada, chineke, etc, ure our best entertainment in movie, i luv most of the top artists or actors and actresses in nigeria, steph okereke, ramsey jr, RMD, OGE. O, KANAYO, mama G, syvanus n, ini edo, rita d, monalissa c, desmond e, emeka i, jim i, bob-man, mike ezub, genevivi, uche jumbo, nonso d, tony umez, stella d, zack o, pat a, ken o, liz b, st obi, oh am tired to list coz d list is endless, all actors n actresses are good, i luv them all. recenyl ramsey visited us here, oh we loved him, aki na paw paw also came, jack orji also acted in one our movies ROSES IN THE RAIN, we also need others to come.
thanks alot for ur entertainment.
allen-kampala-uganda.
Baby l love ur style,what bafull mi most is ur lip,
l will like to known more about u.
just keep it up and God bless u girl
madrid,base spain.
Thanks Allen, keep supporting Nollywood.
We will try our best to bring you the best always.
i really like u especially the way u carry yourself in acting,keep it up. Tonto, i was longing for your acceptance of my request at Hi5.com but to no avail, pls i really like you and want us to be freinds,u know what, u are really my role moidel.
Cutie.i really luv ur acting,i alwax watch ur movies 4rm time to time.
U r pretty,sexy, down to earth..
I wil love 2 hear 4rom u.hook me up wit 08064202850.BYE
Girl, u r great i like everything about. keep it up and stay blessed.
please this is my id ashnet1@yaoo.com. i will like to hear from u. bye
Tonto when i started watching your movie i taught mama G is your mother,so sorry for you to have lost your mother at the tender age.i love your actings,but you shauts a lots,you can equally minimize it,shaa its still good for those who don’t hear very well.Tonto pls i love acting but the opportunity is not there for me i will like you to link me up into nollwood just as you where linked up into nollywood.pls this is a favour you have to do to me to enable me achieve my dreams.pls try to read this mail, i know that mail are much for you to read make sure you scrow down to reach my own.iam an undergraguate of computer science Abia state polytechnic of nigeria.
iam miss odinaka.send me an email odilove4christ@yahoo.com.still wiating to read from u.thanks.
tonto ur one of my biggest fan i love ur movies. but about the nude part plz becafull it not a gud think to do, nd i liked the movie you made with van viker ‘’sense of touch” was a bom and i love you sooooooo much nd do not listen to the hater they all jealouse ur preety girl thts why just leep it up.my email is awaf@ymail.com plz reply bak.tx
U r beautiful but i think u r having a little problem with inferiority complex.u don’t need 2 be before u get 2 d top.i wish u all d best.
U r beautiful but u don’t need 2 be nude before getting 2 d top.takia
nudity is not stardom!that is not an option for a christian(as u claim).
tonto i am from cameroon and i am a good fan of nigerian actors
and for me you have not captured my interest you are so artificial for some body to feel you are a christian beauty is in the heart not in painted lips your body is the temple of the holy spirit you dont have to accept the fact that you want to appear naked in films to make your way to the top it is not the best it does not proof the godliness you claim to have my dear i want to advise you dont be move by money have a little bit of the fear of the lord in you in all you do copy from great actresses like stella damasus,chiooma chukwuka, uche jumbo etc they were not naked to make it to the top so please learn acting skills you are doing more of drama you said you dont want to go for acting classes you feel that those going there dont have in born talents every actor has you have to build up your potientials wash other acts fully for me you still have a lot of work to do so please build up your acting skills you have not yet arrived
Tonto u’re d bst actress i’ve been watching u,am a great fan of yours,every part u play makes me happy,wel my advise 2 u is2 kep on workings hard.
u know wat, am in love wit dis sexy gurl.any time i watch her movie i feel it.
Tonto,You are the best.
tonto you are dem good .keep it up because you indeed have the acting skills. as you said acting is a talent if you have it, you can do it and do it better not neccesary you go to the acting school. am good in acting too is my talent and when i see people with dat talent i see them. i believe in 3 nollywood stars thy are mercy johnson, uche jumbo and u tonto. i really like u girls soo much.keep it up cos no matter what i will always be there for you. all the best and may God bless you all.
U’re indeed pretty, sure u act well, but u have alot of work to do in order to build up originality in ur acting career, i’m a fan of urs and quite beautiful too. Braggin about ur beauty will only make it fade. Humility n hardwork will take u to the top. Cheers.
Tonto dike
I am a strong fan of your’s. You are doing us great, keep it up.
I will like u to connect me to nollywood pls. I am sure i will be great.
Pls don’t act nude again people are commenting strongly on it.
Pls reach me through my e-mail address cherishsilver@yahoo.com
I love u because u are real. More grease to your elbow
I lack words,am Paschal jp 4rom unimaid, i wuld have luved 2 b her charting mate too.just like her i wuld have luved her 2 be my frnd tankz & god bless.
My dear Tonto,please don’t mind them haters.I believe in freedom of xpression,if acting nude will make you happy,do your thing,I am solidly behind you.there are two groups of people in this world:the lovers and the haters.you sure know where I stand. I LUV U
you are hot
I REALLY LOVE UR WAY OF ACTING AND UR FORM PLS I AM DYING TO HEAR FROM U
hello my baby i love u ok
Hi baby! i’d like to have ur number. My +2347031946610 i love it when you call
i really love 2 c u around cus u pretty , hope 2 get in contact with u
sweetheart,u re so pretty and i admire u alot..pls can we be good friends,pls its a request..pls do e-mail me..LOTS OF LOVE
babez, am someone that would like to meet you in future because of the way i love you.
best wishes, i’ll keep in touch
xxxxxx
my names is Mike.Iam american but my mom is african. I watched one of this girl movie n i really would like to get to know her.I will to whoever can provide with Tonton dike real phone number 10000 dollats cash. I want to. Make sure that this is the right number though.thanks
please u can’t put your self down just because of money…why be carefull u know what your no must b no and your yes must be yes
hey babe Dike i really appreciate all your movies but please mentain the African setting and never think of acting nude films no matter the amount offered remember ur fathers repitition and the family name please. love u
Tonto Dike I like the way you act and you are my role modle.Keep it up.
Hi, i am from Cameroon. I have watch most of your movies and i really enjoy them.To be honest you are very pretty, i will love to be your friend.If it’s ok by you, write back through this email.
Hi,
YONTO DIKE, MY NAME IS OSMAN AWUDU I.AM A GHANINA , AND MOST IN PORTA TING IS THAT I WETRE YOU TO BE MY MON IN GHANA SO PERLIS I WONT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND YOUR TELPON NURBAR SO THAT I KANCONTAR YOU I LAKE TO END
i like ur acting styles tonto,i like ur dressing,ur philosophies.and wat hav u.but pertaining d issue of nudity,remember ur womanhood is ur pride&like u said u are Godfearing.so don’t do dat.take care
i like you pls can yo vall me so we get to know each other +2340865705026
Beloved,truely i admire u.ur outfit,ur composure,ur beauty,ur speech bt i dnt like d way u go nude,i luv u as my bst actress so i look up 2 u.pls in ur nxt movie i’m looking up 2 u 4 a change.I luv u dear.