Uche Jumbo bares It All
March 17, 2008 Posted by 
WatchMan
How did you get into acting ?
It was actually by accident. I was in the right place at the right time. I stepped into Fidelis Duker’s office to drop a letter from the organisers of Reel Awards because I was part of the marketing committee.At that time Fidelis Duker was about to take off on a soap opera production titled Images, which he later turned into a home video. He was auditing that day I went to his office. As I just walked into his office, he pushed a script to me and asked me to read for him.
I said, ‘no, I’m here to give you a letter and he said “you can’t act” and I said no, I can act. He said ‘that’s what everybody says’ that I can’t act.Then I told him, I can act. He then asked me how I know I can act whether I had acted on a script before. I told him of how three years of my secondary school was paid for, by acting scholarship, then he got interested and asked further.I explained to him that in United Church of Christ where I belonged, we had this drama group called “Children of God” which is meant for children in their teenage troubling years.During my teenage years, I was a total tom boy, so to keep me off the streets, off climbing trees and playing football with the boys, my mother had to register me in that drama group.
So after school hours, instead of me going to play football, I go to church to act. In the drama group, the best student in drama is given a scholarship for one year making it something to look forward to. I grew up in Aba but I was born in Enugu.So, I won that in a row, 3 years. Fidelis was shocked and my career in the movies had started. That was my very first time acting on script, he later turned it into a movie called Visa to hell. Some how, Adure, another movie came out before it.
What are the challenges you faced?
The job comes with challenges but you will always tell yourself that you can make it. What you might see as challenge might not be that to me because I’m doing what I love to do. I’m being paid to do it, it stops being a job to me, it become a way of life. The challenges are the things that come with the kind of life style I live as an actress.
How did you overcome these?
By being me. Yes, I always believe that life is too short to attach too much importance to things of the world. When you let go easily on things that are worrisome, knowing that there’s always a supreme being over there who is there to make things better, your mind will be at rest. I try these days to focus more on positive things and free my mind off negative ones.
How true is this notion that actresses sleep their way to the top?
I hear that too but, trust me, if I was sleeping with the director, it will not take me a whole nine years to be where I am today.But the truth of the matter is, you can not as a person say may be, you heard, you cannot even confirm because the only person that you know is you, you can only trust yourself, because you don’t know what the other person has done.You don’t even know if the story you heard about her sleeping with the director or producer to get role is true. But God must be with you for things to be okay.My attitude to work six years ago is still my attitude to work today, but I’m a lot bigger today to what I was, six years ago. So, I guess it is just God’s time.
What is that driving force that keeps you going?
By believing in myself and telling myself that I could do it. When people talk to me and say they want to be an actor or actress, that they want to be just like me, I always tell them to start by believing in themselves. If I did not believe in myself , I would have long ago, left the industry to look for work, because I can’t imagine how many times they had family meetings on me just because I live by acting.It got to a time that I felt may be, this profession is not for me. But knowing well that this is what I’m supposed to do for life, I am strongly convinced and I stood by what I believe in. That is why I said you must start by first believing in yourself and everything will definitely fall in place.I’m not saying that there will not be doubts, there will definitely come a time when discouragements will set in. Sometimes you will lock up yourself and cry, you even ask yourself sometimes if you’re threading the wrong path, but having that confidence in yourself is what keeps you going at such trying times.
Having been through all of these, could you say it has been exciting?
I’ve worked hard for it so, I should enjoy the work and basically I’ve always enjoyed what I do. Even now, some ask me that, “Uche, you still have time to write knowing you’re always busy” I always tell them that the time just comes because I enjoy what I do. Sometimes, it’s not really like you’re working. It’s a way of life.
Flashing back to your childhood years, especially the time you were the drama queen, did it ever occur to you that you’ll end up being an actress?
Even when I was the drama queen of the house, I never thought that I’ll end up an actress. I used to think I’ll end up being a talk show host, have my TV show, interview people, especially celebrities.This was why I grabbed the opportunity of the MMS presentation job when it came. That was what I dreamt of growing up to do, not acting.
Who is that soul mate of yours and when will the bells ring?
Mr. right? Am I engaged? No, I am not, am I in a relationship? Yes I am. I do not want to talk about it?No, I don’t. SeriouslyIf you have an opportunity to change anything in the Nigerian entertainment industry, what will it be?That’s a tricky question because, I don’t know how to answer it. There are lots of things to address.Having the support of the government, for instance, may be I want to shoot in Aso Rock, and I get it without cracking my head to think of what Aso Rock looks like. Things like more corporate bodies coming into the business.Making this job corporate where you’ll shoot on high definition cameras on its regular grounds. Also make your money before the film gets to the market, so you’ll not just be relying on only the market.The thing I probably won’t change is the talent because I think Nigeria is blessed with lots of talents. But technically, distribution wise and what is accessible to us, those are the things I would want to change.
How do you unwind?
I watch films a lot. I go to Silverbird to watch films and I also enjoy football.What is your grooming taste like, are you a designer freak?Not really, I wear what suits me, if it happens to be labelled, so be it.Being a star, what are those things you used to do that you’re not able to do anymore?There are lots now. Part of the things you give up as a celebrity is that your life is no longer yours. Everything you do is under scrutiny, you have to defend everything you do.When you do something, which is not as if it’s totally bad, people will definitely talk as long as you’re a celebrity.
When do you consider the happiest moment of your life?
It was the first time my script was produced in year 2000. When I was able to balance acting and writing well and I sold a lot of scripts that I wrote. That was one of my happiest moments.
From the look of things you are obviously a Manchester United fan. Do you like football?
I like soccer a lot.
Despite your being a soccer fan and your working out regime, complete with a mini gym in your living room, you seem to have added weight.
You think so?
Yes.
Maybe it is because of what I’m wearing. I’ve not added weight.
You seem to be on every movie set. What has made you the toast of Nollywood?
It is God. I don’t really know what is happening, I don’t think it is anything I did. I just think that my time has come.
You must be making a lot of money then.
If you think so, who am I to argue that?
Looking back from your days in Adure some nine years ago, do you have any regrets?
It is easier for me to say there is none.
Would you have found fulfillment in any other career?
I don’t know but I think I would have also found fulfillment in being a talk show host. That has been my dream from childhood. Maybe I would have pursued that.
Why did you give your first degree and post graduate diploma up for acting?
I don’t think there has been any decision that I have made regarding my career that has not been fully calculated. There is nothing learnt in life that is a total waste. What I studied has been of help at certain times.
Where did you obtain your post graduate diploma?
At the Federal University of Technology, Minna in Niger State, while my first degree was at the University of Calabar.
Has acting been worth your while? Does it pay the bills?
Absolutely. It puts food on my table.
Why did you rest your TV programme?
I was getting too busy going to locations. It was a live programme and I wasn’t on locations mostly in Lagos so it was kind of difficult. It was difficult keeping a live show every Sunday.
Would it be right to say that acting has taking away your first love?
No, at least I am still in front of a camera.
How many movies have you done this year?
Six I think.
You mean you’ve been to six locations this year? You must have made a lot of money then.
I won’t tell you.
People are saying the reason you are not married is because you are friends with only single ladies.
That is not true. I have married friends as well. Monalisa Chinda is my friend and she is married. I don’t think being single has anything to do with my friends. Marriage is something that will happen when it will happen. And I don’t think it is anybody’s business that I am still single.
Is it true you’ve been complaining about producers giving you bitchy roles?
I would say I’ve been lucky with the roles I’ve been playing. I have been playing too many different roles. I don’t think you can say I play this particular kind of role. I have really been lucky.
What role did you play in the Abuja movie?
I played the role of a lawyer who is in love with the wrong person. You need to wait for the movie to be released so that you can get to know what happens.
Why do you end up doing love stories most of the time?
It is not always about love. The story I am telling you is about what goes on in a girl’s mind. I wrote the script so I should know better.
Ok. Let’s talk about you. What goes on in your mind?
Why would I tell you what goes on in my mind? I cannot tell you that.
Ok. Why are you always secretive about your age?
It is so because it is nobody’s business. Just as it is nobody’s business that I am not married, my age is nobody’s business. The person I’m dating is also nobody’s business.
Don’t your parent pressure you to bring home the person you are going to get married to?
No.
Why?
My perception about marriage is also my mothers’. She believes it will happen when it will happen.
What kind of man are you looking for?
I want an intelligent man who can stand on his own.
‘Who can stand on his own’ means someone who has money, I guess.
Yes, of course. Do you want me to marry a jobless man?
It is amazing that people no longer refer to you as a club girl.
That was an impression that was created by you journalists. I’ll take that as a compliment.
Are you saying you are not a club person?
Yes. I just love dancing and I can dance anywhere. People just assume that since I love dancing I should love clubbing. People’s perception about me does not bother me? I cannot please everybody and I know that I cannot avoid living in a world where people hate me.
I heard you told somebody now that you pay tithe. Is that true?
Why won’t I pay tithe?
Do you still remember the first time you had a kiss?
Yes.
How old were you then?
I can’t tell you that.
Why?
I can’t even remember how old I was but I remember the kiss.
Were you a graduate then?
No way. How could my first kiss have been when I graduated from university? The reason I remember my first kiss is because I did not know what to do. I felt so disgusted because I was like what is the guy’s saliva doing in my mouth? It was more of shock. It was then that I started listening to other girls talk about kissing.
Was that when you learnt you ought to kiss back?
Yes, but at first I did not.
Can we say the guy is lucky?
Will he even remember?
Can you remember the first time you had sex?
I remember but I am not going to tell you.
Why can’t you tell me, is it because it was disgusting as your first kiss?
If I tell you that, then I’ve told you everything.
What will it take for a guy to capture your heart?
A lot, if I say it that would be telling. I don’t want to give some guys the clue.
Are you romantic?
Yes.
What makes you think so?
I am still teaching my boyfriend how to be romantic.
So your boyfriend is not romantic.
Yes, he is learning.
What if a more romantic guy comes along?
Maybe my boyfriend will be in trouble.
You told me about a boyfriend of yours two years ago. Are you still together?Yes.Why don’t you guys just get married?
Marriage is not as simple as that.
What is so complicated about it?
So, you don’t know that marriage is complicated. Marriage is something you have to tell yourself you are ready for.
Via: Nollywood Photoblog
Uche Jumbo Photo Slides:
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well i just want to say something touche and i hope she would be mad at me.if the sky is down i will write your perttyangel name on it and show it to the world and say this is the most perttyangel i have every see in my lief.and i want to ask you a question how old are you angel.
ve neva read a more agressive n unprofessional interview in ma life.
derz nothin fashionable about dis actress pls.
how can u name ha a fashion icon wen d likes of Genevieve r still around.
na wu dash monkey banana.
ve nothin against uche but she needs 2 learn sum manners. too razz 4 my likin. if ure gonna refer 2 urself as a “celebrity” pls act lik one. btw dat word s too comonised these days.
n note to d editor its highly unproffessional 2 tell sum1 straight out dat dey r getting fat!!!
n uche wantin 2 shoot high def n in aso rock…LMAO!!!
i culd go on about how unproffesssional n tardy dis interview s…but ill save ma breathe…
for now…
i like this lady sooooooooooooo much i want to be your friend, am a ghanaian and in ghana please can u send me your e-mail address so i send you some mails, please be my friend.
I LOVE U VERY VERY MUCH THAT NO ONE CAN EVER IMAGINE.U’RE MY RISING SUN AND MORNING STAR.U’RE MY QUEEN.PLS BE MY ADOPTED MUM.E-MAIL ME IF U’LL LIKE ME 2 B UR ADOPTED DAUGHTER.LUV YA.
hi Uche
you are one of my favorite actresses,i love every picture you have played in, once i see your name i know it will be intresting,i love african movies and will continue to support them,i find them to be better than american ones because they teach you about life, keep the good work up
from BARBADOS
oh ma dosh uche i luv u so much.plz sent me ur email add.
i like uche,the way she talks, act, dress.Her dressing is unique and not common.
wow,u are one of my favourite actress too,keep it up.
I like uche but she’s not as classy as Ini Edo.
I love uche so much…..I enjoy watching her movies and I think she is my favourite. I just wish I can have her as my wife….I just cherish her so much
flow gal luv yo style 2english
Hi,
i really love your acting uche.u’re funny,classic and pretty.i enjoy watching ur movies blcos it makes me happy.pls send me your email adress.
Hello, this is Val. i’m so much inlove with Uche. The way she act and her style of costum is highly infatuating. Uche pls I need your personal email address, cos you are my role model. Here’s my phone number…07031321985
my name is tomah i like you to send me your e-mail that i cant send you my adress to you i like your moves you looking good in your moves
Uche, you look so smart and for your attitde dont change. Definately God will grant your heart desires. keep on serving him without proudness. i like you!!!!!!!!!
Hey Uche
I love you ecause you are extra ordinary. I will join you in prayer that you find your heart desire, the right person at the right time. God bliess you.
hey uche i so much love the way u act am so proud of u pls keep it up .ur are dfferent God pls u and other u steps .sorry to say am ur no one fan .always be a goog girl okay.cheers
Well baby you are the bomb,do you know i am one of you craziest fans and i want my shape to be like yours also you look beautiful just like me …………………………………………..
Uche no long story am the God sent 2 u i love u and i want 2 ask u 2 marry me.
Hi Uche love, i love the way u talk and act. I pray that God will grant u all ur heart desire. Keep it up. I love you……………………….
Hi Uche,
Girl, u have been missing in the Tv screen now for quite a long , what is going ? I miss ur smile alot.
Hi uche,i love ur films because your just who you are,i mean u don’t ape.Miss u
Actually stumble on dis while searching 4 u. I like u cos u’r so natural no pretence. Kip up d good work n hey don’t stop smilin, makes me c myself in u.
i luv uche jumbo she is reai i am dieing to meet
uche if only i can get your number to call and hear voice God knows i ll be the most happiest person on earth. because i like everything about you and what people say about. that you are great. remain bless.
Babe u ar da bomb.luv u n wnt 2b a frnd .ma num 08064793697
Uche,
Let talk, I’m waiting for your e-mail, please.
NNE TELL THEM NDI ALA WHAT CONCERN THEM WITH UR AGE AND LIFE REALLY EBIM NA CHINA BUT I CAME BACK EVERY TWO MONTHS AND I LL LIKE TO SEE YOU I HAVE ASK FOR UR NUMBER FROM MANY ATRESS THEY ALWAYS TALK THE SAME TRASH NDI ANYAOKU LEAVE THEM THEY NO GO DIE BETTER THIS ONE LL SAY WHY DO U LIKE THAT GIRL GO TO SILVER BIRD WEEKEND U LL SEE HER PLEASE I WANT TO DRINK MORE CHAMPAGN UCHE JUMBO IS SHE BETTER THAN ME THEM I LL SAY YES SHE IS BETTER THAN U ATLEAST I LIKE HER AND U KNOW HER AND SHE DON T EVEN KNOW U OK HAHAHAHAH THE GIRL LL STAND UP BIKO I HATE INSULT IF U DON T WANT ME TELL ME IN TIME NIGER GIRLS TRUST THEM NNE M AKOCHASI BU AFA AZU BUT I LL STILL TELL U ONE STORY ABOUT GREEDY MAN AND ENVIOUS MAN,A GREEDY MAN ANDAN ENVIOUS MAN MET A KING,THE KING SAID TO THEM’ONE OF U MAY ASK SOMETHING OF ME AND I LL GIVE IT TO HIM,PROVIDED I GIVE TWICE AS MUCH TO THE OTHER”THE ENVIOUS PERSON DID NOT WANT TO ASK FIRST FOR HE WAS ENVIOUS OF HIS COMPANION WHO LL RECIEVE TWICE AS MUCH,AND THE GREEDY MAN DID NOT WANT TO ASK FIRST SINCE HE WANTED EVERYTHING THAT WAS TO BE HAD. FINALLY THE GREEDY ONE PRESSED THE ENVIOUS ONE TO BE THE FIRST TO MAKE THE REQUEST.SO THE ENVIOUS PERSON ASKED THE KING TO PLUCK OUT ONE OF HIS EYES UCHEE BEWARE OF ENVY IDIOTS U KNOW APPEARING BETTER THAN OTHERS IS ALWAYS DANGEROUS ,BUT MOST DANGEROUS OF ALL IS TO APPEAR TO HAVE NO FAULTS OR WEAKNESSES,ENVY CREATS SILENT ENEMIES.IT IS SMART TO OCCASIONALLY DISPLAY DEFECT,AND ADMIT TO HARMLESS VICES, IN ORDER TO DEFLECT ENVY AND APPEAR MORE HUMAN AND APPROACHABLE.ONLY gods AND DEAD CAN SEEN PERFECT WITH IMPUNITY SO UCHEE KA ODI OGE OZO
Can we be friends please. will also like to hear from u please.my no 0247200097.will be expecting a message from you.i always feel happy when i see you acting and will want to be just like you.please do well to let me hear from you please.
jes wanna let u knw dat u r gggggggggggggggggggggggggoooooooooooooooooooood.keep t up
Hi!i use 2 like genevieve, but God later sent another star.weneva am back from london,i can neva miss watching your dance steps(dangerous act &boys cot).
But,genevieve is still my girl,but she is not social.but are you social?prove it now by sending me your real email address,i know u would neva send your phone number.mine is 08066668055.
uch baby, ride on, keep up the good work. I enjoy ur acting so well. May God grant ur heart desires concerning ur dream guy(amen)
uche, i admire the way u act,and u are funny 2 i love it.
hi uche i like you very much,the way you act,ur crazy roles i love them all,well i read in a magzine dat ur birthdate is 28 dec,i’m not sure but if i’ts true u re my birthdaymate.keep on ur good looks but baby don’t grow fat o.k,i like you and i will keep sayin it.
A beg,rumor dey kari say na uche jumbo don die.abeg i wana knw d truth b4 dey ttk mouth burial motth
Uche u’re a pretty n wonderful person but its that u’re getting too fat. Take good care of urself dearie.
i love watch your movie cause you look just like my cousin something you make think of my cousin i will always watch your movies you are interist woman and romantic,love, care for people that right i kind like about people i will always love uche lombo.i dont live in africa but i live in new-york. i from haiti but i speak french you could text me any times want to in keychard0908 on aim or aol.com
I admire this lady so much. Am a Ghanaian and live in Ghana.
U are really unique especially when you act the “rough” part in every production. Please be steadfast, focus and God will take you there….. Please a have a production deal for you and if you don’t mind, kindly send me a mail.
Thank you and hope you will revert ASAP.
Tekson.
Uche, i realy like p’ple who believe in themselve. It as always b ma desire to act ,pls help me. am a Ghanaian and dis s ma no. 0233243027071. Pls cal me and i wil make u proud.mark it. God bless u.Amen.
hi uche… how are doing; it has been a longtime
i realy do miss u so much.
pls my dear am sorry have not been calling u………….
I love ur last stastement if ure nt ready u will blame urself cos marriage is nt something u can rush in & if u do u rush out
ilove u Uche Jombo pls help me to entr the film industry and be a star like you and pls sent me your picture in my box
hello beauty,i really admire ur acting skills,and do watch every movie i find u inside.keep it up for the skie is ur limit.
Uche u r d best,bear in mind dat people wil always talk d negatives,but ur ability 2 move on makes u d star dat u relly are.luv ur ways.
girl u too much,u are just what i want
God will keep u for us.u are a give to our generation
i love ur personality
Uche,kip doing well what u knw u love doing cos life is an individual business.
Gal u r 1daful,i love u lyf style,i wil always b ur fan,pls cal or txt 2 dis number 07036978334 cos i want 2 no u more nd i want u 2 advise on sum problems which b discuss wen u cal or txt
I luv ya. U so pretty, pretty is an understatement bt i lack words 2 dscribe u. Ur crazy part r best. Mo greeze 2 ur elbow my role model.
Hi! Uche u’re my star i dnt think des any other fun who luvs u lyk i do i’m dyn 2 meet wit u bt i know 1 day God wil mke it possible n’ wil even get 2 act in da same movies plz wait 4 me coz am almost there we even hve da same characters n’ luk alike only dat am a bit funnier(l.o.l) mob lve frm u’re siz who luvs u best go on siz plz act a movie wit ma name always remember sky iz da limit (just imagine am writin 2 u ol da way frm . Nairobi – kenya) plz write somethin on ma e-mail big siz(plz dnt ignore me!)
hello uche, am not sure you’l get to read this, but if you ever do, want you to know that someone really appreciates you. Am so proud of you, not because you are a good actor, but because you are from the axis i come from in Abia state, where it is some what on heard of for a lady to go into acting, but you have blazed the trail for others to follow, i will really love to meet with you if you dont mind. Take care and hope to hear from you someday, my email is chuksnaya2000@yahoo.com.
Bye for now.
Kritz
I luv u v much and i’m dying 2 be ur pet daughter.I don’t have e-mail address,dis is my no.07065017201.Send me ur no.Stay bless and pls reply me.
I luv u v much and i’m dying 2 have ur no.I don’t have e-mail address,dis is my no.07065017201.Send me ur no.Stay bless and pls reply me.
I luv u v much and i’m dying 2 know u. Dis is my no.07065017201.Send me ur no.Stay bless and pls reply me.
I REALY LOVE YOU UCHE
please my dream is to meet uche please for contact i am really obsessed.i am in cameroon
black is beauty just keep and maintain ur colour and girl u r so good but can i be ur friend?im a cameroonian based in the STATES.
hi Uche,
i love the way you act and i have decided to make u my role model. wish andhope to know you better.
please still nice and beautiful cos only few stay like that.
Hi ucee,lik evry1 hs said ur beautiful,sociable n fun 2wit. Eventhough we’v nt met one on one i stil c dez qultz in u. I luv ur movies so much,i’v bcum so used 2ur movies dt pple ard say i behave jt lk u. And d fun tin dia is dt evry1 tels me dt i luk so much lk u. Plz i nid ur email addy so i cn scan my piks n snd it u so u cn confirm. My hapiest wud b sit n talk wt u 1 on 1. I dey trip 4u die. I’l b in lag by nxt wkend hw cn i c u? U cn reach me on 07035424681 or cuulaijay@yahoo.com. 10x. Bt plz dnt turn dwn my offer of frndshp.
hi,l want to ur friend
Babe i love every thing about you
I just wish i can know you better like taking to you on phone
can you send ur phone number or e-mail for me my number is 08091473152
Just know that some body is always praying for u and would like yo be ur firend
and would like to be like u cause i fancey everything about u
my God always stirgthen u
expecting the number or e-mail
I admire your way of acting and hoping to know you better
I admire your way of acting and hoping to know you better. Please maintain your black beauty and stay bless.
Am based in Dublin and enjoy watching uche’s,for relaxation on weekends.
she is very high on the ball,
please uche i am one of ur fans,and i admire you so much because of the way u deliver ur lines u are one in a million.
Uche, I am so happy for you and good to know that you are doing well . I watched one of your movies on my way from nija aboard virgin airlines tittled the Hearts. Keep it on as the sky is not only your limit.
U ar 1daful. Carry go we fans dey ur bck. Dis mine 08067254549. My entire family luv’s u.
Uche i love everything about u kip it up
uche i think am in love and ready to you evry thing that will make you happy. My name is HON. O-A OSI JOSIAHHON
Nne, i na ekom. i can’t stop watching you act. U ‘re so pretty, sociable, entertainer and as wel as a role model. I really appreciate u. Keep it up
Nne dont mind ndi bad belle biko.u luk more pretty when cryn on set.
i must say i like your way of acting keep it up you are a daring with love
My gal u ar too much, i wonder what ur boyfriend is waiting or does he wnt my brother to come and snatch u away 4rm him.
Keep up the gud work Girl.
i would really like it to meet her