Ageless beauty and Veteran actress, Clarion Chukwurah, opens up on her life
You have been around for a long time, what else are you
passionate about aside from acting?
I have been involved in several ventures in the last 16 years
under the auspices of Clarion Chukwurah Initiative
International. However my fans have yet to know about them
because I have kept them private.
Tell us about them?
I am extremely passionate about women and young people. I
began organising seminars with young people as far back as
1999 and I recorded Generation-X programmes, which had to
do with mentorship. We also shot short films on HIV/AIDS,
youth prostitution and documentaries on young people in
agriculture. We organised parenting seminars too but all these
projects were created for educational and advocacy purposes.
What inspired your interest in youth development?
I am passionate about talking to people, seeing equity in the
society and doing all I can to improve the quality of life of
people who live in the rural areas in East and West Africa.
Between 2008 and 2009, I thought of how to make a series
out of my passion, and in 2011, I began to work on Footsteps,
in Kenya. Since it was self-funded, I could not film at a
stretch. As a role model who has such a huge following
especially from young people, I decided to call it Footsteps
and it originated from the Swahili phrase, Kufuata Nyayo
Zangu , which means ‘Follow my footsteps.’
What did you set out to achieve with film advocacy?
Beyond portraying the role of a wicked woman in movies, I
wanted to bring people closer to me and make them see
another side of me. I wanted to make them know that there
was more to life than making money and driving flashy cars. I
wanted to teach them how to make an impact and be looked
upon with respect in the society.
You sound like a politician…
I am not a politician; I have been asked that question over
and over again. If I were a politician, I would have run for
office a long time. I could be one but I am not interested.
Why haven’t you considered going into politics?
Political activism is better for young people. For some people,
becoming a governor is a do-or-die affair but it need not be
so. Political office holders must always consider the impact of
their decisions on their followers.
There is a stereotype that single mothers do not raise good
children
This stereotype doesn’t apply to me at all. Single parents
must always reassure their wards about how much they are
loved and how far they are willing to sacrifice to give them a
better life. I taught my children to have the fear of God and
know that they are not different from any other person and it
worked for me. I also taught them humility, loyalty, the desire
to succeed and never to put me to shame.
How challenging were those times?
The stigmatisation and the fact that people just believed
nothing good could come out of you as a single parent and
the children was discouraging. But, I was disciplined and I
understood that all children are not the same. The most
important thing I did was to tell my children that if they fail,
people will laugh at them and when they succeed, it is for
their own good. My son, Clarence, would say that I always
employ the emotional blackmail tactics. Honestly, I did that to
make my children understand that they have several reasons
to succeed.
But you were always busy, how did you make out time for
your children?
When your children realise that you hold them in high esteem,
they will want to succeed because of you. You just have to be
dependent on God and ask him to be a part of the process. I
have a close-knit family and as much I have been busy all my
life, I always spend time with my children. The only time I am
not at home is when I am not working. My children saw that I
did not cut corners to be successful, even when I had the
opportunity to do so. I am a role model to them. They saw
that I struggled and never gave up on them or myself. That
alone was enough to make them succeed even if it was just to
make me proud.
Are you picky with the roles you are given?
For a couple of years now, I no longer take scripts as they
come. I have passed that stage. I also have role models in my
profession globally, not just in Nollywood. I admire people like
Angela Basset because we have a lot in common. I also like
Helen Mireen and Meryl Streep. Their careers are such that
they take roles on that align with their level of achievement.
You seem to have stopped acting in Yoruba movies
I stopped doing that in 2003. But if I have a fantastic script
from a top production company that can afford my fees, I will
do it. I am multi-lingual but I more concerned about the
storyline than the language.
What advice do you have for up-and-coming actors?
My advice has always been the same. They should be
focused. They can either choose to focus on the craft, fame or
money. If their focus is on the money or fame, they will not
last long in the industry. But if they focus on the craft, the
fame and money will eventually come.
Can you be described as one of the richest actresses in
Nollywood?
I do not know about being one of the richest, but I can say I
am one of the most successful and comfortable.
When do you plan to retire?
I will always be in the industry. I am just 51.
How do you stay fit?
I take care of myself and the grace of God has always worked
for me too. I discipline myself in the efforts I make to take
care of myself. I do not eat just anything and I like to be in a
comfortable environment. I exercise, eat a lot of vegetable and
salads.
What influences your style?
I determine what I wear as soon as I wake up in the morning.
I also dress to suit any occasion or event I have to attend. I
have to be comfortable in anything I decide to wear.
Do you plan to get married again?
I will let you know if I am getting married.