If I Were To Quit Acting, I Would Become A Fashion Designer—Matilda Lambert, Veteran Nollywood Thespian And Producer

 

 

 

Excerpts:

We have the one and
only Matilda Lambert here with us on our Personality Special Edition, Welcome
Matilda.

 (Smiles) Thank you
Topflyers Magazine.

 Tell us about yourself?

 My
name is Matilda Lambert, a Nollywood actress, filmmaker, entrepreneur and
humanitarian. I am the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TILDA GOES GREEN
Foundation (TGG), an NGO that focuses on tackling the environmental degradation
and offering of scholarships to the less privileged kids in the Niger Delta
area of Nigeria. I am from Ngo-town in Andoni Local Government Area of River
State, Nigeria. I attended Police Children School and later, Federal Government
Girls’ School in Abuloma, all in Rivers State before proceeding to the
University of Abuja where I bagged my first degree in Philosophy and then a
Master’s Degree in Social Political Philosophy.

As
an actress, I have been featured in several movies including Blood and Conscience, Prophecy, De Bishop,
The Engagement, Career Woman, Hit and Run Lover and many more. I have also
produced wave making movies such as Deepest
Cut and Instaguru which have been
receiving special recognition locally and internationally including a befitting
memento at the last Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards—HAPAwards held
in the United States of America where I won “Best Independent Film Actress in
2018”.

Other
prestigious recognitions I have bagged are: Niger Delta Youth Peace Awards,
2018; Ambassador Nollywood New Yam Festival, 2018; Lady of The Moment Divas
Queen Award, 2018; The Nigerian Goodwill Ambassador’s award as Nollywood Next
Rated Actress 2016; Divas Award Calabar; Award of Excellence, 2016; Face of
Candy City Award as The Most Beautiful Actress of The Year 2017; Monnel
Modelling Award as The Most Influential Actress of The Year 2017; Miss Patriot
Nigeria 2018 as The Patriot South South Movie Icon of the Year 2018; African
Leading Women Award, 2019 just to mention but a few.

As
part of my literary prowess and corporate social responsibility, I have hosted
several top shows such as the Seyi Law
Fast and Funny red-carpet show in 2016, The
Face of Candy City 2017, The Most
Beautiful Girl in Abuja Pageant 2016, The
Lagos Fashion Awards 2016 and many others.

In
2019, I produced 3 movies: Kendra, Star Girl and my latest effort, an
interestingly scintillating flick full of didactic lessons “UNROYAL”
which was premiered in Port-Harcourt on the 15th of March and released in
cinemas on the 23rd of March, 2020 just before the COVID-19 lockdown. The movie
features some of Africa’s best actors, the Legendary Pete Edochie, Shaffy
Bello, myself, Matilda Lambert, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Okon Lagos, Ik Ogbonna,
Linda Osifo and other amazing actors.

Interviewer adds in:
Wow! That is alot. I am sure the readers will say so too.

Did you as a child ever
dream of becoming an actress?

No!
Surprisingly (laughs) I had no idea of seeing myself as or becoming an actress.

You studied Philosophy
in your first degree at the University of Abuja. Has your knowledge of
philosophy assisted in shaping your movie career in anyway?

Philosophy
is the study of wisdom and the mother of sciences, and as such it cuts across
all spheres of life. There’s a field within Philosophy called “Hedonism” which
focuses on the pursuit of pleasure and self-indulgence. A person chooses his or
her actions on the basis of how much pleasure or pain the actions could cause.
So I will say the knowledge of philosophy also helped to shape my career as it
is applied in almost everything I do.

It
has helped me in seeing things differently from a lay man’s point of view and
that has enabled my thoughts towards the right direction and how I interact
with people. As an actor and producer, the branch of Philosophy called
“aesthetics” which is the science of beauty has shaped my productions
especially in areas of props and set designs, locations, cast and overall
presentation even in acting. So it is a big “yes” that philosophy has indeed
contributed to my career and life.

Interviewer cuts in:
That’s amazing to know.

You have a Non-Governmental
Organization, “Tilda Goes Green”. Tell us about it?

Tilda
Goes Green (TGG) is a sustainable development goal program to “green” the
Creeks of the Niger Delta by using one Eco-Citizen at a time. TGG is a social
capital development initiative for green Economy in Africa. Today, with global
annual temperatures approaching 2-degree Celsius and carbon emissions at
300parts per-million (PPM), the eco-systems have been compromised. As a result,
nature is constantly losing her abilities to regenerate at the rate of human
activities, leaving millions of people to face natural disasters, health
epidemics and fast-growing humanitarian crises across vulnerable communities in
Africa.

In
the light of the growing challenges of the climate change in the Niger-Delta
region, TILDA GOES GREEN FOUNDATION is driven and committed to creating a Green
Economy for the next generation of the Niger Delta by securing a future founded
on its progressive 12 Goal agenda which include; Eco-Education, Eco-Innovation,
Eco-Culture, Eco-Villages, Eco-lifestyles, Eco-Science, Eco-Reel, Eco-Fashion,
Eco- Tourism, Eco-Business etc. Hence, to take responsibility of the future,
TGG has resolved to create Green Communities, launching Eco-Advocacy campaigns,
promoting Eco-Heritage and capacity building of the next generations of
GREEN-Guardians of the environment as to accelerate the sustainable development
of the Niger Delta Area in particular and the entire world at large.

How lucrative is the
movie industry?

The
Nigerian movie industry is undoubtedly helping create jobs in a country with an
economy that relies mainly on oil and agriculture. Over a million people are
currently employed in the industry, making it the country’s largest employer
after agriculture. Nollywood produces about 50 movies per week, second only to
India’s Bollywood, more than Hollywood. Although its revenues are not on same
level with Bollywood and Hollywood, Nollywood still generates an impressive
$590 million annually. Believing that if the industry is properly managed, a
million more jobs could be created in the sector, the world-bank is currently
assisting the Nigerian government to create a growth and employment in states project
to support the entertainment industry, along with other industries. Film
industry analysts believe that the Nigerian Cinema is the most popular in the
continent. Nollywood films have a large following in Africa and among Africans
around the world. The Africa film industry is not only an entertainment
industry; it is also a MONEY MAKER.

Considering your fame
in Nollywood and the income therein, can you call yourself a billionaire?

(Laughs)
I am not a billionaire yet but soon I will be by God’s special Grace.

Interviewer adds in:
Definitely Matilda. You are doing pretty amazing from what you have opened up
about yourself so far and we believe you are here for the TOP in your career.
On a lighter note, It is safe to call on Teni entertainer for her to sing the
Song “Billionaire” at this point (laughs)

Many actors and
actresses like you always want to go beyond being at the stage of acting to
being producers. What are the advantages of being a producer over being a mere
actor?

There
are many advantages of being not just an actor but also a producer. For
instance, as a producer, you have the power to choose the character you want in
a movie but a mere actor cannot because he or she does not have such liberty.
Also, a producer calls the shot as to when, how and where he or she wants a
movie to be done at their convenience before communicating it to the crew
members and casts, but an actor works according to the set time or plan of the
producer.

You hardly talk about
your relationship. What could be the reason?

I
don’t talk about my relationship because it is my private life. Everything
should not be displayed in the media.

Do you think some guys
are intimidated to ask you out because of your fame and wealth?

A
real man should be bold enough to walk up to and approach any lady he likes.
This is because looks are deceptive and you may not know who truly needs a
companion by outward appearance. So I do not think any man who deserves me will
be intimidated by anything.

What do you think about
a woman asking a man out?

(Laughs)  It is not our way of life in Africa but times
have changed and people go after what they want. But for me, I do not see it as
a proper thing because one of the reasons of being a woman is to be wooed. You
know, that’s the spice (smiles)

Any plans of you
getting married soon?

Oh
no (Laughs), I didn’t see that coming. Anyway, it is my private life and I want
it to remain private, for now atleast.

Some people are of the
opinion that most Nollywood actresses do not make good wives because they often
choose their career over their marriages. What do you have to say about that?

Well,
I have never been married and when I eventually do, my marriage will last and
be a marriage goal for others to emulate. Talking about actresses choosing
their careers over their marriages is what I do not believe. There is no lady
who is happy in her marriage, that would want to choose her career over
marriage. We all know family comes first, but that does not mean a lady will
remain in a toxic marriage all because she is a public figure. There are
actresses who are successfully married and are still doing well in their
careers. The thing is, it takes two people to make a marriage or any
relationship work. There is no manual to how a marriage should be, but putting
God first, understanding, communication, love etc are the bedrock to a good
marriage. Actresses are human beings too and as such deserve love. I always
advice my male cousins anytime I am around them that they should not marry any
lady just because she is beautiful, successful or attractive; it is wise to
know the kind of job she does and see if you can cope with it. 

I feel alot of
men marry for the wrong reasons and start lamenting later. If you want to marry
a banker, actress, air hostess etc, marry them and be ready to cope with their
kind of job. Some men are of the opinion that they love you, support you maybe
at the initial stage and hope to ask you to quit your job when you are finally
married to them. This I think is the beginning of their problem. It is better
to marry a house wife if you cannot cope with a career lady and not stress the
hell out of anyone just because the man is insecure and can’t keep your home.
It is best to know what you want in a woman; don’t marry an actress who has
tried to build her brand and life and after marriage, you want her to quit
acting for you. She needs your support mentally and emotionally because acting
is mentally and time draining. No one is perfect and as such, it is good to
seek the face of God before you venture into marriage because it is not a
child’s play.

What would you say
makes a good actress?

A
good actor should have the confidence to portray their role convincingly and
connect with their audience. They need physicality to convey the emotions,
motivations and intentions of a character through physical movements as well as
excellent communication skills, flexibility, technical competency, work ethic,
originality, stage/screen presence, determination and persistence. A good actor
should also be eager and willing to add to their knowledge base and skills. A
passion for performing good acting and entertainment is a key quality.

What is your favourite
colour and meal?

My
favorite colour is white while my favorite meal is fisherman soup or Seafood
Okro with soft semovita (smiles)

What is your
relationship with God?

I
have a very cordial relationship with my creator. I cannot do anything without
Him and I put him first in anything I do. God is ultimate and He is my
everything.

Can you marry a Pastor
or Imam?

Definitely,
I am a Christian so it is only proper that I marry a man with same faith. So
yes, I can marry a pastor.

If you were to quit
acting, what other career would you venture into?

Interesting
question. The answer to this is, Fashion Designing.

What is your message to
your fans?

To
my fans, I want to use this opportunity to say “thank you” to each and everyone
of you for your love and unwavering support. I promise to keep making you proud
and keep being myself. In choosing your line of career or profession, always
put God first, be focused and consistent with a reachable goal. Even when you
fail, pick up yourself and keep going, it may not pay off now but you will
certainly be proud later in life. God bless you all and I love you
immeasurably.

Where do you hope to be
in the next five years?

In
five years, I would love my brand to be a house-hold name known for impactful
and life touching works, and a personality that everyone with vision will want
to associate with. Also, I would like my brand to go across the shores of
Africa to the global world; embark on more collaborations with international
organizations and be known for its authenticity and competence.

Can
you tell the world and your “fans-to-be” your social media handles so
they can get in contact with you?

Thanks
for asking! Yes, please make sure to keep up with my updates on social media.
My Instagram handle is @matildalambert1 I have got a couple of entertaining
updates and information you would love to know about sooner or later.

How do you feel being
the Personality Special Edition of Topflyers Magazine International for the
month of August, 2020?

I
feel honoured and very special because I am sure there are a thousand and one
actresses out there but you all chose me. I am honoured and I really appreciate
the kind gesture this unique magazine – TOPFLYERS gave me. It feels refreshing
getting to share my personality and works with the world as well as air my
opinions regarding issues. I really appreciate this exclusive personality
feature.

More
wins to you all in the Topflyers Magazine Team. #YouAreDoingWell and  ‘Fantabulous’ (smiles)