Lanre Nzeribe is just a friend –Monalisa Chinda

Background

My name is Monalisa Chinda. I am the firstborn in a family of two sons and four daughters. I was brought up in a very lovely family. My late father was a great man and my mother is a very prayerful woman. She instilled sound values in us. I’m also blessed with siblings who are doing great in their respective fields, but none of them is into acting.

Acting

Naturally, I’m a very creative person and acting is simply one of the ways through which I express my creativity. I really can’t say anything prompted it. I simply followed my heart and was awed at my delivery, the rest is history. I studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt but I have been acting prior to that. My first major movie was ‘Pregnant Virgin’, which I did in 1996. I have since starred in many other movies after that. The proficiency I display on set is largely due to my God-given talents.

Publishing

Aside being an actress, I also do a lot of writing  in my spare time. I used to be a newspaper columnist and I also wrote for selected publications until I was no longer had the time. I’m very thankful for how far God has brought me in my chosen field. Last year; I was inspired to take a giant leap into publishing. It’s been an incredible journey so far.  Monalisa magazine is a bi-monthly luxury magazine for Africans. We have just started, there’s so much more to come.

My 2014 plans

There is so much more to Monalisa than meets the eye. There is actually more to everyone than anyone could ever know because we all have what it takes to exceed our wildest dreams. We only limit ourselves in our minds. In reality, there is absolutely no limit to what we can do or achieve as human beings. I have much up my sleeves this year, most of which I can’t reveal now but you will see them as they unfold.

Bad press

There is no career without its flaws and there is no claiming a prize without paying a price. I have had my share of bad press and I’m prepared for what lies ahead on my journey to destiny. Thankfully, I don’t dwell much on regressive thoughts, so there is no need talking about that. If evil is spoken of you and it is true, you can correct yourself. If it is a lie, just laugh at it. People will always talk no matter what you do. While I believe the internet revolution is a great platform for advancement, I think we need to be more professional and accountable when it comes to news reporting.

Relationship

That is a personal decision.  Some things are private— they are not meant to be discussed on the pages of newspapers. Lanre Nzeribe is only a friend and I won’t say more than that.

Leisure

I love to spend quality time with my daughter because there’s never a dull moment with her. She is the greatest gift God has blessed me with and I’m always dazed at her rapid growth and sheer brilliance. I also love writing and listening to good music.

Style

Style is an elegant, fashionable, or luxurious mode of living. It’s also about being innovative, being original and being you. Most times, two things inform what I wear and how I dress—the way I feel and the theme of the event.

Beauty

I like to take a lot of fruits. I wear my normal make-up when need be.

Advice to younger acts

My advice to young people is to take their future in their hands and stop looking for shortcuts to success. I have realised that the world turns aside to let any man, who knows where he is going, to pass. The foundation of wealth and success is solving problems; and the best way to attract wealth is by solving problems for people.