Disqualified housemate from the BBNaija lockdown edition, Erica Nlewedim, says she didn’t dwell on her status as an established actress because she had yet to be at par with her mentors.
In a chat with CEO and publisher of Ovation magazine, Dele Momodu, a celebrity journalist, Erica detailed her life before BBNaija; her upbringing as an only child; and how her quest to break into the movie scene saw her study in the UK.
“People know me from BBNaija but I’m an actress. I’ve done movies. I’m a very ambitious person. I didn’t feel like I was a star because what I consider a star was like at the top level,” she said.
“Most of those I consider stars, I didn’t feel like I was up to their level. I didn’t feel the need to brag about anything because, if I’m bragging, what should those I look up to do?
“Of course I spoke about what I do and the fact that I’d done a number of movies. I spoke of my experience but I just didn’t make too much noise about it because I’m naturally humble.
“…I’m an only child and everyone already knows that. I was born in Lagos but stayed in Warri, Delta state, till I was four. I attended about four primary schools because we just kept moving.
“Then I attended command secondary school and VGS secondary school. And then I went to Covenant University, studied Business Administration, and graduated at 19.”
Back in the ‘Lockdown’ house, Erica had first broken the rules on whispering and misuse of the head of house (HoH) lounge.
She, thereafter, earned her third and disqualifying strike on three count charges of goading, threatening a housemate, and interfering with the production process after her verbal exchange with Laycon.
“During NYSC, I decided to follow my dreams. I always wanted to work in entertainment. While in university, I used to go for modeling, TV commercials,” Erica continued.
“My first commercial was in 2018 but my major job happened at around 2013/14. I started acting in 2015 and it was so difficult because there was the feeling that beauty pageant girls can’t act.
“My first movie role was ‘Secret and Scandals’. I did a few series and movies. 2016 was a dry spell. I did the only movie. That’s why I had to go back looking for an office job.
“In 2017, I started going for movie premieres, talking to directors. I would make monologues of myself and send them to them. Then I started getting little roles here and there.
“2018 was good. I shot a lot of movies and series. In 2019, I decided I wanted to go to film school. So I went to the Met Film School in London. And they said I was the best actress in my class.
“I came back towards the end of the year and started networking again. I got another movie role. Things were looking good and then I saw the Big Brother audition. And I decided to give it a try.”
