Fast rising British-based-Gambian actress, Marie Kumba, has a relative followership in the UK where she relocated to as a toddler with her family. Now 20, Marie has acted in several movies and is currently in the country with a mission to break into Nollywood. The student of Tourism Management from the Anglia Ruskin University, UK, in this chat with TONY OGAGA ERHARIEFE, opens up on her plans and dreams, confessing a crush on Nollywood hunk, Richard Mofe-Damijo.
How did you come into acting?
I’ve always been a drama queen. At a very young age I became part of a charity organization run by my cousin in the UK. We would organize and perform drama shows and people would pay to watch; it was a drive designed to raise money for my country, The Gambia.
Where were you born and what was growing up like?
I was born in The Gambia in 1994. I come from an average family; hard working dad and mum. My mother went to the UK when I was a little girl. My siblings and I were raised by my dad’s sister. We grew up around lots of children because my cousins lived with us in our family house so growing up was beautiful and exciting.
At what stage did it dawn on you that you were cut out for the screen?
I was nine years-old. That was when I joined my cousin’s charity organization. Even at that tender ager I was so confident and already admonishing my fellow actors and actresses when I felt they were not getting it right. I’d say ‘hey, you’re not acting right. Do it well, let me feel your emotions’ (laughter). It was very funny because at the time, I was the youngest but I knew what I wanted scenes to look like. The members were so impressed they voted me Youth Leader and that meant more responsibility and commitment to my dreams.
Tell us about your first time on a serious set?My first time on a serious set was for my first film, The Past Came Calling, which was directed by Ruke Amata of The Amata Family here in Nigeria. I was scared because we had the likes of John Dumleo from Ghana, and Chioma from Nigeria. They were such amazing talents. I had to give my very best to keep up with them and playing the lead role didn’t help because it meant double the hard work for me. But I loved every bit of it because I knew this was what I wanted to do and I knew ab-initio it wouldn’t be easy. I got a lot of support from Ruke Amata; he’s still in the picture helping me.
We understand you are relatively successful in the UK as an actress. How did you break into the UK film circuit?
I was in a competition, Class Act UK, which I eventually won. It was organized by Ruke Amata. Thousands of people auditioned as the train went around the UK. Winning the competition gave me that stepping stone to move forward and before I knew it, I stopped auditioning for roles and scripts started rolling in. Interviews followed and then came a deluge of fan mail.
Who are your role models?
My role model is my mother. I know how hard she has worked and is still working to get me to where I am and where I want to get to in the future. She is one of the reasons I’m working twice as hard so she’ll not have to work when she grows old.
How do you interpret your scripts?
Interpreting a script sometimes could be so easy because all I do is just be the character. When I get a script I do my research on the character and story and know exactly what I need to make that character come alive. However, sometime it could be challenging trying to put yourself in the character’s shoes.
What has been your most challenging role to date?
My most challenging role to date was the movie, Shameful Deceit. I played the character of a little girl called Vivian, a 15 year-old who was raped by her father. The movie showed that some men would go to any length to sleep with anyone even if it’s their own blood; it shocks me that things like that still happen.
What part of your anatomy do you consider most attractive?
My eyes, what were you expecting to hear (laughter).
What’s the craziest thing a male fan has ever done to you?
(Laughter) The craziest things a male fan has ever done to me was asking me to marry him.
We understand you have your eyes on Nollywood. What does Nollywood mean to you?
Nollywood was my stepping stone and the man that helped me grow as an actress is from Nigeria. I want to share my talent with the amazing talents in the industry. I want to bring Gambian flavor and blend it with Nollywood and hopefully, learn enough to take back to my country, The Gambia, where there are so many talents waiting eagerly to be discovered. Which stars are you looking up to in Nollywood?
I don’t think I have any set of role models but if I had to pick it would be RMD and Mama G. RMD is one actor that I find very interesting. I think he is versatile and very creative. The truth is that I have a crush on him (laughter). Any way, he is a married man but I admire him a great deal; he’s every woman’s dream.
We have a lot of talented actresses in Nollywood. What makes you feel you’ve got what it takes to survive?
Most of the known faces are getting older and doing other things like starting a family among others. New faces like mine need to come to the lime light. With the experience I have and things I already know, I think I have what it takes to make it. By his grace it shall be well.
Could you act a nude role?
It’s funny because people always ask me this questions (Laughter). When it comes to acting nude, I might act nude but maybe, not fully nude. This is the question I’ve always asked myself, ‘would I feel comfortable watching this scene or film with my parents if I was fully nude?’ If the answer is no then I will not do it. But I have done a film whereby I had to take off my clothes or worn very revealing cloths. At the end of the day, your work should not define you as a person.
Have you ever experienced sexual harassment as an actress?
No!
Talking Nollywood, are you working on any script now?
Before coming to Nigeria I finished a film called Jacuzzi, a Rita Nzelu film. When I get back to the UK I am starting a drama series called Here & Now, by Ruke Amata.
How far do you see yourself going in Nollywood?
I see myself getting to the finish line with Nollywood. And when I get to that age where I need to stop acting I want to make sure that my name lives on for generations.
What’s your take on Nigerian men?
I see Nigerian men like every other men in this world. The only difference is the country and culture. In every country, you have nice as well as nasty guys so I don’t judge anyone. But some are very unique and I salute them.
Tell us about your love life, who is the guy in your life right now?
No comments; that’s personal stuff.
Could you marry a Nigerian?
If the man I fall in love with is Nigerian then, yes, I will marry a Nigerian; I like Nigerian men.
Tell us about your ideal man?
I’m not going to answer that question because I prefer men to be themselves. If I state what I am looking for, the guys might try to mould themselves in to what I am looking for and (laugher).
Where will we see Marie Kumba in a couple of years?
In Hollywood, on the red carpet
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