I’m not wicked but very soft-hearted and I cry easily – Actress Patience Ozokwor opens up

There is no doubt that veteran Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwor, is one of the most talented acts to ever grace our screens. However, her creativity when it comes to interpreting certain roles, may have rubbed off wrong on some people.

Popularly known as Mama G, actress Patience Ozokwor has risen to become one of the most talked about household names in the Nigerian movie industry. However, while she is popular for her talent as an actor, she is also known for playing maleficent roles.

In a recent interview, the veteran screen goddess talks about her marriage, career and how playing certain roles may have affected her life and people’s perception of her. In the interview with Punch, Ozokwor revealed that contrary to popular opinion, she is quite a simple person.

When asked if she feels stereotyped, she had this to say: “If you study my career, you will realize that I have played a lot of roles over the years. However, the ones where I act as a strict or vocal person are the ones that have been more popular. I guess that’s what people like. However, I always strive to strike a balance and I don’t act just one type of role.”

Despite the negative perception people have about her due to the type of movie roles she takes, Mama G revealed that she has no regrets taking up such roles. She said:

“Any actor worth his salt should be able to deliver on whatever role he or she is given to play. For people to be so affected by the roles I have played means that I did a good job in interpreting the characters I was given. However, I wouldn’t like to pass wrong messages to anyone through my movies.”

Popularly known for taking on wicked mother-in-laws roles, she insists she is nothing like that in real life.

“Nothing can be farther from the truth. I am a simple person who doesn’t like to interfere in other people’s lives. Sometimes, I cry when I watch some of the movies I acted in. I am nothing like that and you can never see me where wicked acts are being perpetuated. If anybody close to me does something wrong, I will not shield the person. Like I have said several times, I am an actress and every character I have ever played ended on the set.”

Speaking on married life as a young person, she revealed the decision to marry was influenced by her parents.

“I believe firmly that everything that happens to a person is ordained by God. You may not understand why you’re going through certain situations but as you grow older, you will recognise the hand of God in your life.

Truly, I got married at a young age due to the bidding of my parents. At that age, marriage wasn’t what was on my mind but I had to go into it to make my parents happy. It was a combination of good and bad times but I thank God because that experience really built me as a person and taught me a lot. It made me more mature. As a young girl going into marriage, I didn’t have it rosy at that point because I didn’t understand many things. At the time I got married to my husband, I had a lot of suitors vying for my hands in marriage but I had to go with my parents’ choice. However, my late husband was a good man and he took care of his family.”

Ozokwor went on to reveal some surprising facts about herself that most Nigerians don’t know.

“I am very soft-hearted and I cry easily. However, I believe in facing whatever is at hand squarely and doing a good job. Even if I will cry later, I could do that in my closet.”