Stephanie Zazi Eguji: Naked Audition Earlier Turned me Away From Acting
Stephanie Zazi, a Psychologist turned actress, an indigene of Ebonyi State, stunningly one of her movies won the Most Entertaining Epic Movie of The Year 2022 in the recently concluded Creekvibes Stamp of Excellence Awards held in Festac Lagos, Nigeria. She was born and brought up in Onitsha.
She attended Changed Kids Primary School; in Anambra and proceeded to Queens of the Rosary College, Onitsha, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
The charismatic and innocent Anambra-born actress has acted in over 25 movies in her four years of existence in the movie industry, since she mounted the Tiger’s back with ‘Hopeless Privilege’, she had equally starred in ‘Death is a Woman’, ‘ZIMAANA’, ‘Bleeding Love’, ‘My Father’s Casket’ and a couple of other flicks.
The lead role actress in “Death is a Woman” got her hair shaved in “My Father’s Casket”, according to the thespian, “It was a challenging role when my hair was shaved and I was crying as somebody that lost her father for real, ‘laughter.’
“I felt it you know when you are doing something and you are feeling the vibes.”
Zazi, a pureblood Ebonyi lady from Ezza South Local Government in the South-Eastern part region of Nigeria, took some questions from Creekvibes OLUWADAMILARE DANIELS.
What prompt you into the movie industry despite being a Psychologist?
Well, I will say it is passion, while I was in Anambra before I got admission into the university, I had this burning desire to join the movie industry but I was scared because of my previous experience.
What was the experience?
My link person wanted me to do a naked audition, so I objected and that was the end.
So, you taught every other person will be just like him?
You know that was my first instance.
Who was that?
Then he was a production manager, I can’t recall him again because it’s been a long time, so I backed out and I promised myself that I am gonna make money and join the movie industry.
Some other innocent ladies might have caved in for his naked audition antics.
Probably some other desperate girls might have fallen for it, not that I wasn’t desperate but that is a ‘No!’ for me.
So, who brought you in finally?
I joined the Movie Industry in Rivers State, my girlfriend introduced me to Emeka Anyanwu, who was a movie director then.
Did your parents support your decision of becoming a movie star?
Oh my God!, they weren’t in support but what helped me was the fact that I wasn’t living with them, you know they are still in Anambra while I am in River State working.
So before you stepped into the big stage where have you worked?
I had worked with NIN over the year before I came to Rivers State. I have done some other menial jobs because I don’t like staying idle, any of my little time I utilize judiciously.
Alright, so while schooling, have you had any close-to-death experiences?
Close to death?
Maybe you escaped death by the whisker?
No! no!, the only time I had such an experience was in my first relationship, I nearly took my life.
That’s not good. What happened, did he go for someone else?
My Dad wasn’t in support of the relationship.
Is he not from your state?
He is from my state but then Dad thought he is a bad influence.
Doesn’t he have money?
He does but my father felt he was not good for me, I loved him though.
He was my first love, I felt like the whole world was really against me. But I thank God for where I am today.
So did he fight for your love?
He did but, he did not win.
So are you in a healthy relationship now?
I have a couple of friends whom I trusted but I have not given them the chance to come into my heart because I don’t want to be heartbroken again.
But you should still allow someone to get into your heart because you’ll get married soon and raise your kids with your husband around you.
Amen, I know that will happen someday.
Mummy should be telling you to bring your husband home by now?
Sure, but the truth is I will need to take my time because a lot of guys out there are not to be trusted. If there are 100% guys out there, 90 per cent are just not it.
We should work with our hearts and minds before making a decision but many times we go into a marriage thinking we will change the other person.
Well, it is not easy to change an adult that is why you hear of breakup and divorce cases here and there; these in tune scare us that are not in marriage yet. But then some people are still in their marriages and those are the people that still give us hope for a healthy marriage.
What kind of husband are you looking at?
Well, a cool person, should know fashion that is not a criterion, if he is not informed, I can help him out.
Although some men won’t allow such interference anyways, that will be left to me before making my choices, how he reciprocates my gestures will sharpen my decision toward him.
All-in-all, a cool guy that will love me and when there is a love he will respect me.
So do you support actors and actresses dating one another?
Why not? Sometimes is just that we are the one that makes it looks like it doesn’t work but it does. Imagine having someone in the same field; you guys are dating with the same mindsets and ambitions it will be easier to achieve your goals together rather than dating a person outside the box that does not understand the nitty-gritty of your job.
Do you also support actors getting involved in political rallies and campaigns?
Yes, I do because I think it is much easier to get people’s attention when a celebrity is running on the front burner during a political campaign.
Will you want to be a politician or hold a public office as Hilda Dokubo did?
Not too well, not 100 per cent, I don’t have a political ambition but you know to be a public figure, does open a lot of hidden things.
Do you also have an idea to run an NGO or do you have one?
I have one presently, I run it single-handedly because of the passion I have for helping the less privileged. I started it last year, and several times I have gone to the street to give alms. I have visited prisons to share food and drinks to inmates; I have also gone to motherless babies’ homes with clothes and food items.
So how many epic movies have you acted in?
I have done quite over 10, and I have just concluded one in Port Harcourt.
What is the unusual part of you that people don’t know?
People don’t know what I do in my free time, any little time I have I quickly do business, I can’t wait till a man gives me money. It’s a problem.
A lot of people don’t know that about me, except people that are very close to me.
If you were not an actress, what else would you have done better?
Business.
Which business do you like?
Well, I want to do the clothing business and some handwork like hand knitting instead of being bored.
So far so good are you very good in the kitchen?
Uhm Yes. I am!, my mum is a good cook and I have always been the one helping her in her restaurant.
She didn’t teach me but while with her I was understudying her.
While growing up what were the pranks you played as a girl?
Ok, I have played the pranks of sleeping while I was awake because sometimes when mum was about to call you and you form you are still sleeping whereas you are awake, she calls the next person.
Thanks and do have a great day.
