At the recently concluded month long Carnival held in Calabar the Cross River State capital, Nollywood hunk, Kalu Ikeagwu shown like a million stars as he dazzled all in his Obong (paramount ruler) of Calabar attire.
The handsome dude from Abia State who remains one of Nollywood’s most eligible bachelors shares his pains and desires to find the companion who will grow old with him and more. Enjoy it:
Can you recall your experience at the last Calabar festival?
Yes, my experience was quite good and that was my first time in Calabar. It was a very interesting and vibrant festival. I also experienced the hospitality of the people. Though I had to put in a lot of hard work, it was amazing and I really enjoyed myself.
I also had the experience of the runway (modeling) with other celebrities, like Dbanj, Ikechukwu, Uti of Big Brother Africa, Gbenro Ajibade, Rita Dominic, Lilian Bach and others.
We all had great fun. The runway was actually meant for Destiny’s Child (Charity). The children also had the opportunity of doing their own modeling and we were able to raise fund for them.
We had fun but with plenty of hard work. I’ll say I slept only for about 15 hours in a total of six days.
15 hours in 6 days?
Well, that’s my profession for you. I’m used to such sacrifices and I also think I’m a strong man.
What role did you play in all those days?
My role was that of a King in my band and Lilian Bach was the Queen. It was a great competition and our band won. The good thing was that our band carried the day. We won the best senior King, Senior Queen, Junior King and Queen.
So how did this Igbo man feel wearing an Obong attire?
The Calabar people are the ones that recognise the value of tourism and culture. I didn’t feel any different. I couldn’t have lost my own culture because I wore an Obong attire for a while. I felt great like the real Obong on it. Senator Ita Giwa was my band leader but once I’m dressed in that Obong attire, I’ll ask her to respect me as the Obong (laughing).
And I got a lot of accolades. Even the Obong himself liked the way I was able to fit into his shoes for the while (Still laughing).
Beards have been part of you. Why did you shave them?
I prefer the clean shaven look. However, my profession is such that could force you to have different looks. You have to remember this Igbo proverb (Ada akwu ofu ebe ekili mmanwu) you have to move around to see a masquerade because it is ever moving.
As an actor, you have to interpret roles and bring out the best. So, you need as much help as you can get, especially facially.
I’m one of those people that could still look good no matter how I change my facial look.
I usually grow beard about three times in a year. Right now, I’m beginning to grow another one, though I don’t know what to do with it yet. But I’ll look at the projects coming up and movie roles coming up too.
In your opinion, why, do people talk about celebrities?
I think it’s because everyone needs a hero, someone they can look up to, a mentor, so to say. And it starts from the home. In my house, I and my brothers were always struggling to be like our dad. And then, when we grew up, it started changing gradually. I didn’t want to be as short as my dad, for example.
So people want to mirror their lifestyles to celebrities they admire and they want to see whether he/she is living up to expectation.
But that has helped some of us because if I know that a child is looking up to me for example, it means there are certain things I should not be caught doing.
So, have there been scandalous write ups about you that make you regret being a celebrity?
Not really. I’ve been lucky so far, although I know I’m not a saint. Yes, there has been some part of my privacy that has come out but I still thank God so far. Sometime ago, some ladies almost knocked me down just trying to rain abuses at me.
Nollywood blogs according to
Bridget AMARAEGBU