Watch Nollywood Star Genevieve Nnaji on CNN Connect the World – Video & Transcript
Posted on Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 at 1:53 AMBy BellaNaija.com
BellaNaija.com gave you the scoop on Genevieve Nnaji‘s interview on the CNN International show – Connect the World. The interview was filmed in October 2010 at the CNN International Studio in London, UK and aired on the 23rd of November 2010. Genevieve was the “Connector of the Day”, so in addition to the questions from CNN anchor, Max Foster. She answered questions from viewers all around the world.
She did well! Gene seemed relaxed and you can tell she enjoyed the interview.
Watch Genevieve “Connect the World” with Max Foster on CNN International
Transcript: CNN Connect the World – Genevieve Nnaji
(14:22:29) MF: tell us about ‘Bursting Out’ for people who don’t the movie and are thinking about going to see it – what is it about?
(14:22:34) GN: Bursting Out is a romantic comedy. It’s a story about a very upp-ity, uptight, elitist woman who falls in love with the wrong guy in the wrong class of life and then her discovery about – and then she falls in love hard so…it’s pretty funny. I found it funny.
(14:22:56) MF: Fun to film? Or was it hard work?
(14:23:00) GN: It was fun. It’s always fun. Cast were amazing and they were also funny and everyone had their own little contributions, which made it all was fun. I don’t feel like I work when I’m on set to be honest.
(14:23:12) MF: What was your favourite moment from the filming? There’s always a favourite moment.
(14:23:16) GN: Oooooo….I think the scenes with the other two girls, because I had two friends.
(14:23:25) MF: And you’re here in London because it’s being premiered in London. It’s already had a premiere in Lagos. Why London? Is there a big market here?
(14:23:33) GN: There is a big market here. Everyone is a descendent of Nigeria or Ghana or where ever and movies are really, really big here. Just walking down the streets, the amount of people who stop me on the road, and really appreciate what we’ve done. So…it’s amazing and you know they ask for it. They’ve been asking for it for a very long time. So, yeah. It’s not the first time I’ve been here to premiere.
(14:23:56) MF: It seems that Nigerian film is becoming more and more popular abroad, but who’s watching those films? Is it people of Nigerian descent or is it people who have nothing to do with Nigeria?
(14: 24:06) GN: All sorts of people. All sorts of people. Umm… I have been recognised by Indians, I think a Chinese woman once and that’s so funny. I think all sorts of people, but that’s because Africans are all over the country – all over the world – and you know, all it takes is you having a friend and telling a friend “you need to see this this”. It’s all by association, so it’s all really getting its awareness somehow.
(14:24:28) MF: It’s called ‘Nollywood’ which is a term I don’t think all actors like in Nigeria, but it’s sort of been coined. How would you say Nigerian cinema differs from Hollywood cinema?
(14:24:41) GN: Do we really have cinema? [laugh] Cinema is pretty new in Nigeria – I mean it used to be back in the day, but that sort of faded off. But it’s new, it’s coming back and hopefully it comes to stay. But for now all we do are home videos, movies for your tv. But there we’ve had success stories like EJ and a few other movies that have been shot on film and had to be premiered and shown in the cinemas and it’s amazing how people have received this so….
(14:25:13) MF: As you say, the growth is explosive. Why are people so fascinated by film now when film has been around for so long?
(14:25:21) GN: Umm… are you talking about Nollywood being interested or people being interested in films
(14: 25:24) MF: I guess it’s Nigerians watching films as much as Nigerian films doing well.
(14:25:30) GN: Movies have been there for not long, but say relatively, for about 20 years – pretty recent. But you see we started out making films for the people by the people. We are only allowed to tell our stories and it’s amazing how people can relate to these stories – you know what I mean? And obviously because of the awareness we create in terms of what happens in every individual’s life at some point – we all have story in common and I think that’s really why people have taken an interest in our films to be honest, because they can relate to our stories.
(14:26:10) MF: But they want the fun films don’t they? They want the romantic comedies. It’s not necessarily the really gritty, traumatic movies that sometimes come out of Hollywood.
(14:26:17) GN: We have a healthy mix. We do. If you look hard, you would find it. I do quite a number of romantic comedies.
(14:26:24) MF: We’ve got lots viewer questions of course – from all over the world actually. Robin from Cameroon asks, “What’s your biggest challenge as an actress in Africa?”
(14:26:35) GN: Well, in the beginning it was pretty challenging because first of all you had to – it’s not a culture that Africans have, well back in the day, took to very readily so it was hard having to go through that and at the same time convince people that you know what you’re doing and they should give you a chance to prove yourself. And it’s possible, you know, to do something – to actually be in the public eye, and be an actor and still be normal. You know so it was challenging.
(14:27:03) MF: But you’re not normal. You can’t go down the streets of Lagos can you?
(14:27:06) GN: Chhee….eee….. no.
(14:27:10) MF: What’s it like living that life? It’s crazy, isn’t it? You know, you get mobbed?
(14:27:15) GN: I know – I don’t walk! I drive! So, I’m safe.
(14:27:18) MF: You’ve made your name obviously in Nigeria and but also abroad. I think it was Oprah who called you the ‘Julia Roberts of Africa’. What do you think about that label? I mean it’s great – this is from Oprah!
(14:27:30) GN: Yes, it is from Oprah. So it’s fine.
(14: 27:32) MF: Are you an actress in your right?
(14:27:34) GN: Yes, I am an actress in my own right. I don’t think I have anything in common with Julia Roberts to be honest. But it’s really complementary. It’s for me it’s a honour either way. It’s just recognition – that’s good.
(14: 27:45) MF: Nancy Samara from America says, “Who is the one actor from Hollywood that you would want to work with, and why?”
(14:27:51) GN: Angelina Jolie. I’m a hug fan. Love her, love her, love her. Um… Johnny Depp, amazing actor. I think he’s so intriguing. I think there is something so mysterious about him. These two people, I don’t know I think I would definitely get along with.
(14: 28:06) MF: And Stachelle from Trinidad says, “Are there any times that you regret being famous, especially in a country like Nigeria where everyone knows you, and they really do.
(14:28:16) GN: Um…nnoo
(14: 28:18) MF: Do you just want to break away from it sometimes and be yourself?
(14:28:21) GN: When I want to do that I basically just stay in. I just stay in and hang around with people who know me for me and appreciate me whether or not I’m an actor. You have to just get up and go and just you know grab that privacy that you want so much.
(14: 28:36) MF: When you can get it. Pat from our Facebook page asks, “How do you discover other talented Nigerian actors and what do you do to give back to your country?”
(14:28:47) GN: We have quite a number of young ones back home who are trying to be actors and actresses and they are really working hard. But all you have to do is audition and prove yourself and believe in yourself and hope [MF – UP SOT: hope you break through] you break through at some point and what do I do to give back? I basically look out for talents in the industry. I basically look out for talents and encourage a lot of producers to try out new people and for the society the little I can do to be honest.
(14: 29:17) MF: But you support orphanages, don’t you?
(14:29:20) GN: Yes, I do.
(14:29:22) MF: And that’s because – I presume – you feel for these young kids that don’t have families and you can give something that can help.
(14:29:28) GN: Definitely. I’m very passionate about you know, orphans because – for me – there are so many other diseases out there but you see a lot of people don’t even have the experience of what love is about and these kids don’t even have that. So for me, times like Christmas, you know you just want to do something and actually buy them presents and I just think they are too young and too innocent and we need to actually show them that people out there do love them. So I do my bit.
(14:29:55) MF: Assan Cyril wonders where you get your motivation when so much of the country is in poverty, which you’ve just referred to I guess – lots of orphanages aren’t there?
(14:30:04) GN: Yes. Well, country being in poverty. Well then our job is to put a smile on people’s faces. You know, we do the bits we can and we’re pretty generous when we come across people as well. And then we do a lot of talking to people that we feel can help. You know like,..
(14:30:23) MF: Lobbying governments to try to do things.
(14:30:28) GN: Yes, exactly. Encouraging them to do more.
(14:30:27) MF: Ok, and Catyatoo asks what advice would you give to young Nigerian girls that may want to follow in your footsteps?
(14:30:35) GN: I would tell them to definitely be sure, first of all [MF UP SOT: Would you advise them to go into the industry?]. Yes, of course, it’s a wonderful place to be, especially if you love, what you, if you’re sure you can do it. It’s a wonderful place to be. I would definitely advise them to believe in themselves, be true to themselves and be sure that it’s something they are willing to do and they’re ready for the consequences because every good thing comes with consequences.
(14:31:00) MF: What are they? Lack of privacy
(14:31:00) GN: Ohh… you lose your privacy for starters.
(14:31:05) MF: Philip Peter from Lagos asks, “What has been your biggest regret in Nigerian film?”
(14:31:13) GN: Umm…. Biggest regrets? Oh boy, regrets – I don’t know – I hardly regret anything. I just learn from mistakes. I don’t regret anything. It’s too hard. I mean you do the best you can at that point in time and you know everything is about growth and progress and I’ve gotten older so obviously you learn more. You learn on the job. I love my job – don’t worry about anything at all.
(14:31:36) MF: And finally Joped from our Facebook page asks, “When do you think that African movies will be able to compete with big budget Hollywood films?” Or do think they already are?
(14:31:46) GN: I think a few people have given them a run for their money [laugh]. We have to claim that, but we are getting there. Maybe not the Nollywood you know, but definitely we have a few people out there – a few Nigerian students who have schooled abroad and have gone to film school and are coming back home now to put to practice what they’ve learnt. So we do have a few people who are coming into the country right now and doing big things.
(14:32:11) MF: And the reality is it’s a very expensive business, so you need the finance as well. Is that coming more and more to Lagos now, do you think? You’re getting the funding that you want on your movies?
(14:32:20) GN: We have gotten support every – we do get support every now and then. But not as much as we would love to – not as much as we should. Because the movie industry is like the biggest export right now in Nigeria and we have in some way re-invented the country, you know. And we would appreciate some more encouragement from the banking sector.
(14:32:42) MF: Because people would be surprised by how much a Nollywood film actually costs. How much is it in dollars?
(14:32:46) GN: [laugh] My god! [MF UP SOT: Roughly] Roughly? Let’s see…
(14:32:49) MF: A Hollywood movie would be a 100 million dollars, say. And a particularly big one.
(14:32:53) GN: Oh well, I have no idea. I think it depends. But the truth is – the unique about Nollywood is we make the best use out of the little resources we have. You know, some how we get by. I don’t know. Sorry. [laugh]
Transcript Credit: CNN International
Tags: cnn, genevieve nnaji, tv
Genny baby! she did well…im proud x
That was a great interview, Genevieve is just Awesome.
Straight to the point gal I love ur confidence
proudly Nigerian.
2nd!!!!
So proud of her and she’s looking good! Hope she does get to work with Johnny Depp
http://www.heartnollywood.blogspot.com
As far as i’m concerned, Genevieve Nnaji is Nigeria’s 21st Century National Treasure, her accomplishments will never be forgotten in our history, she is a gem! Keep your head high Genny, you have worked for it, and you deserve it.
Really love you genny, but girl you need to give back as in to a CHARITY……….yeah right you look out for new actress really….hmmm find that hard to believe
look at Oprah, she is always looking for a chance to give back, Even Omotola has a charity. Please don’t be just a pretty face ok
if you knew anything about genevieve, you’d know that part of what she makes from st genevieve goes(or will go) to charity.
she hasn’t totally unveiled her clothing line yet, but when she does, thats what she plans to do.
so carry go, abeg.
and how much does she make from St Genevieve pls, cos iv never seen a St. Gen stuff anywhere after her launch, so mannnnnnnnn i sure pity wotever charity she donates to…. no doubt she’s gifted and i respect and admire her for that but i think she’s abit too stuck up and needs to relax a lil.
And you are who? if I may ask her Marketing analyst
i just love love love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! your comment babe!
I believe she has charity; sometimes last year I remember she did something charity wise, though not sure wassup. But she is not just a pretty girl. And like you said everybody pretty much does charity only she doesnt publicise her work. When she said “the little I can do to be honest” she was nt saying she doesnt do anything, all she is saying is that she does her own part which is minute because others in the world have to do their’s too and she like what 0ne in a ………………..people..SO darling no judging pls
..and what have YOU given back pray tell ?
Don’t hate me (the player), hate the game…… I am entitled to my own opinion. Not sure if you read can read body language, her body language gave her away……. Giving back to the community is a big deal in North America, Nigerians only copy what they want to copy and leave what might empty their pockets
i TOTALLY AGREE with you!
And she claims she loves Angelina Jolie????? What aspect of Angelina as a giver does Genevieve NOT see? haba!
She better start doing some charity!
And I don’t believe she looks for any new actress! Like who? let anyone that she helped be discovered raise their hand!! Errrm….NONE?
Its a plus she went on CNN, but the content of the interview just showed another part of her that is not very good!
WOW. Impressive. Smart, precise, spunky answers. Truly impressed.
I’m a fan, I really am but I think she could have done better, sounded a little more knowledgeable and taken her time to provide well thought out answers. Seems like she was rushing to answer questions…I loved her poise though, and I definitely look forward to seeing her in more great movies.
I thought the same thing as well. She is a superb actress, and her confidence is contagious but i think her answers should have been much more in-depth and enlightening.
Totally agree with you guys. I really like her but she wasn’t ‘fantastic’ in the interview but then again perhaps some of the people commenting were comparing her to other Nigerian celebrities…
I agree as well, but this is her first time doing a big interview such as this, and I can only imagine how nervous she might have been. I think she did quite well and composed herself approprately and do expect her to improve as time goes on with more exposure. Considering that a lot a A list actors really don’t do well with interviews, with some avoiding it totaly, I think she did a good job.
Love this babe. She is truly a star!
if i say i do not love Genevieve i have Lied!! This babe has Swagger and i loved the interview and the way she conducted her answers.. men Miss Nnnaji makes me wanna go into actin as well.. ..at least we still have someone givin naija a good name..
she got confidence, she is well educated, her diction is on point and she is just the Boss!!
why cant Tonto dike and the other slimy useless nollywood – learn to conduct themselves like Genevieve!!! and as for Muna Obiekwe , i use to respect that – and now he is busy wearing Thongs in movie.. shameless son of a gun!.. sorry for goin off topic.. now back to Genevieve… thank you Miss Nnaji for stayin true to urself and i know ur dreams for actin with angelina and johnny will come true if u work with the right people .. Thank God u have deleted Dbanj from ur click..lol
thanks Bella for postin this
hahahaha @ your little rant about Muna Obieke…so true.
shame on that dude, so useless.
She did not Dbanj or, they deleted each other. Good interview though but actors and actresses in nollywood can bear witness that she has never helped anyone into Nollywood not even her talented sister and brothers
The key word is hard work.Anything is possible.Good job Genny!
Gene Gene u go gurrrrrrrrrl!
Lovely interview, she’s really a great woman and actress.
Sharp girl… she knows one day angie or Johnny will see this , and a chance may arise…anyway, i wish her well and all the best…
one of the good few making Nigeria proud, and still showing to the world that we are not all faux
my babe is always representing…..am super proud of you………go gal!!!
i am proud of you
3rd
am actually beginning to love her..lol..
nice one Genny!!
okay i have always loved genny but i really wasnt convinced about the charity thing. I am not saying she has to do something with a big name so we can all clap for her but then, we expect her to give back somehow. E.G AY and the open mic show, just something.
That said i am proud of you girl, you seem to really like johnny deep, you keep saying that. May God take GENEVIEVE NNAJI to greater heights. Amen.
good one…you go girl.
i luv u genny, any day, any time. You are the best
keep it uppppppppppppppp
lovely interview Genevive! Proudly Nigerian. keep up the great work sis
You are great Genny, good work pls keep it up
wow, incredible, great, good job Genny we are proud of you…..
She is just brilliant. Check out how she answered the last question about the cost of a Nollywood movie. I dont know if it is just me who sensed a hint of sacarsim in his tone or a hint of your-movies-are-really-just-below-Hollywood-standard by mentioning how much a Hollywood movie- which would be considered fairly big- cost and wanting to compare it to the cost of our movies. I know that the cost of our movies does not come close to Hollywood’s cost, about $50 000 or a big one would be $100 000. She just dodged it nicely and added a laugh to the answer.
She reminds me that hard work and persistence always pays.
keep it up beautiful genny.
Do you know that a womans boy is Gods master piece?
http://lifethroughomaseyes.blogspot.com
The movie industry in Nigeria has come a long way since the days of soap operas and considering the fact that each second a new star is born…and breakthrough stories like Genevieve’s, keep emerging…trust me, the “sky is no longer the limit”…[I see heaven eye-to-eye]
Unquestionably, I foresee enormous evolution amongst our generation (enterprising people)…We are definitely born to SHAKE THE WORLD (Trust Naijaz to pull that stunt, how dem go sabi say we don land…trust us to go all out like our weddings)
As for Genevieve, one day na one day, you’ll be offered a major role in a Hollywood featured movie, get nominated for an Oscar (big dream but good one)…but abeg no forget us for Lasgidi o (especially after the by fire by fire prayer to Baba God)
GBOGBO BIZZ GEHHH
‘I DONT WALK I DRIVVEE’
CARRY GO JAREEE
shoes are killer as usual…nice…
AND I LOOOOOVE THAT SHE WASNT MAKING UP ON ACCENT OH MY LORD I ADOREE THAT!!! FANTASTIC!!
i loooooooooove Genevieve, shez a true star
And this is whom naijarules.com members Angela81 and Obariba hate – Its amazing and shocking to know anyone will hate Genevieve. Clearly they are insecure and hate themselves and hating on genevieve is a scream for attention.
Good job gen, wish u all the best
Is the st.Genevieve charity show she does annually for orphanages and stuff not charity work??? I don’t get people sha??? All the free modeling and interviews and shows she does for free all in the name of charity nko?? Must she register an NGO like others that use it to extort money from unsuspecting individuals??? Her face is her moneymaker and she has allowed it to be used for that purpose for charity. What more do u want from this girl really?
Gene abeg carry go jor!! Better not to be articulate and yet show intelligence than speak all the grammar with not an ounce of brightness. Those like u say who know the real u and follow ur every move r right behind u.
Very well done Gen. Always glad to see a Nigerian in a positive light globally. However, it would have been nice to give more robust responses and actually use the opportunity to educate the world about your industry and its potential. Best of luck.
genevieve is a talented actress but people she is not an intelligent person,her answers are lame,i m not hating ,i love her but she needs to go to toast masters to gt a cheap course on answering to interviews,moreover shes neva done charity,neva even helped her friends,she even finds it difficult to pay wen she buys things from her friends.
You love who? How much does she owe you again? Friends like you are the ones she doesn’t need in her life. With her unintelligence she’s the one sitting up there and you trading. Kmt!! Pls get a life you hear???
hater.com
haters: having anger towards everyone reaching success
I do think you are giving your opinion and I really don’t think you are a “hater”. Now here is the problem , you can’t spell, you don’t know how to use capital/small letters and you can’t puntuate. Yet you are quick to point out her not being an intelligent person.
Nice interview.. She did us well jare.. Carry go..U just proved to us that been a star in Naija is pretty convenient compared to the huge crowds that follow the stars abroad..Damn!! they r just too much and some r even obsessed which makes it evn worse..U find it hard to walk on the streets alone with out a sudden out burst from one of ur fans.. Nnaji u r going places..Oops i mean u have gotten to places..I love the way u were cool and communicative while shooting the interview nothing like jitters…. You got it girl… U made us or should i say me proud..for the haters who r gonna object..
Proud of you Genny you did it very well, keep on doing wwhat you are doing!!!!
Were will she even find the time to do charity work? The babe has been the hottest and busiest thing in Nigeria this year. If only Glo knew.
Som of yu should stop hating and get a life…her answers werent lame…she anwsered correctly..and those of yu talking abt her not doing charity work…ow many ppl have yu helped before????*smfh*
if she publishes her charity its a problem, shes doing her underground thing its a problem…u guys can jump in the river
proud of you..keep setting the pace jooor
haters: having anger towards everyone reaching success
Not Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp or many other Hollywood actors could have given a better interview. She is an actress not a marketer or producer so people please, she has spoken on what she does and her experience intelligently. One of the reasons Nigeria is in such a pitiable state is because we just find it hard to laud our own. Well done Miss thang. How many people helped you on you way up? Anyone who wants to get to where she is should work hard like she did. This chick used to do “night bus” for waka pass role….gosh people!!!!
Hey, it’s typical of nigerians to hate, however it will be nice to celebrate Gene baby as she is a good role model for young nigerian girls…So pls do me a favour & get a life, learn to love one another, it about time all ya hatersssss!!
ok. moving on…
BN is there all there is – am assuming there is a second clip, abi?
@fifi
thats what she said in an interview about a year and a half ago. incase you didnt read my comment correctly i said she hasnt totally UNVIELDED her clothing line yet. meaning she hasn’t totally launched it.
you dey craze? BUT when she does, those are the plans she has made for herself and her clothing line.
so please carry go, seriously.
and not everyone tells the 100% truth about EVERYTHING in EVERY interview. get off genny’s case!
secondly all this blah blah blah about charity. how many of you are doing or have done charity? ehh?
if you were in her shoes, how many of you would go out of your way just to do charity (inviting the press etc…) and to make face?
sharap dia! you people are all full of it.
charity blah blah
just looking for something to say to genevieve. as if you know her personally…smh.
Genny is my girl any given day but she could have exuded more confidence in this interview…i could tell you exactly where in the interview she started getting nervous…but i guess with the developing international recognition, they will start to coach a litttle more on how to seamlessly sit through these interviews….she did great nonetheless consideirng she is attaining heights that Nollywood pioneers never attained but paved the road for through hard work and never giving up. This should serve as an inspiration to others…Tonto Dike, Ini Edo etc…there are more roles to play in a movie than aristo babes. Just show your verastile side and all the opportunities will come knock on your door.
she appeared very nervous and she had no answer as to what she has done or is doing to give bk 2 d community!
Come on Genevieve don’t tell me u are not associated with any NGO! Are u kidding?
No fall my hand o abeg!
Overall I give d interview a 5 out of 10.
It can be indeed be nerve wrecking stepping on d international scene.
P.s-What was that abt her not being able to walk around in Lagos or was I hearing things? O_o
Is it really that serious now??
all of y’all saying that she is “unintelligible’, and sounded lame and didn’t supply indepth and intelligent answers…i believe you are missing the point here that this is Genevieve not Hilary Clinton! what was she supposed to say more than this?! she’s an actress for pete’s sakes! aint sure Angelina jolie herself or all the other hollywood starlets would have provided more ‘intelligible’ answers! make una no vex, Gene will cram the textbook of macroeconomics, “how to speak in public’, a thesaurus, even a dictionary to her next CNN connect, you hear?
That said, Gene abeg carry go! u rock !
The word ”CONSEQUENCES”….. Shldnt have been used cause its not consequences its only DISADVANTAGES OF D JOB
Anyways i get it nervousness its part of it. all in all girl u were great.
Gennie, That was fantastic. We are proud of you.
She is pretty no doubt, But not sure of the interview, her answers were all over the place and lacked depth…maybe the nerves got in the way , None the less I commend her CNN is not a small something….
@London Lin, you stole my comments! Really the interview was ok, not fantastic. Still she’s done good for herself.
And quite honestly that is.. or should be the whole focus of this thread here on Bella. Y’all need to stop derailing. The highlight has always been about “her being on CNN”… not the Q & A. She will sound more intelligent in the next coming city people magazine don’t worry. Allow us savor this moment with her please. Go GeeGeeeeee!!!!!
The reason Nigeria does not have any natural disasters is because we are disastrous all by ourselves. This site is amongst the 1st to popup when u google Nigeria and lo and behold the 1st thing a foreigner will see is us lambasting the one person thatentertainment to take entertainment the farthest. This is not how the Hollywood stars managed to get us all to idolize them oh! Their “FLAWS ” were well edited and hidden by the press and they focused on their talent and if they had no talent simply “hyped” what they could. The entertainment industry…particulaly the movie industry was America’s biggest re invention tool. Why is our case so different??
Why do we celebrate the wrong people? Hollywood stars who just happen to be Nigerians and have said in one way or another do not care for the country? Or even Silver spoon kids, foreign bred kids, diaspora retunees, kids whose parents have embezzled money from banks or through politics?? OUR MONEY??!!! I have come to realize that it’s not the rich that wants the poor to stay poor; it’s the poor that wants the poor to stay poor in this country. Why??!!
The most celebrated stars in America are those that have risen from grass to grace..that’s why every one of them go on oprah to tell a sad story of molestation and what not!
Nigerians change is in the mirror. Unity is key. Do not let your jealousy control you. You have to control it for you have nothing to loose but so much to gain if Gene or any of these other stars rise beyond your expectations. If you have any bright ideas as to how they can all improve for the better? Contact bella directly. Let’s try and keep our criticism hate free.
And the most celebrated stars in the US also gets slammed and criticized everyday…what’s your point again sweety?
Yea but only when they start to misbehave and take the piss and not before. Point!
Forget the transcript abegii!!! What was shown to the world on TV was great and that’s what matters. Who even gave u people transcript? #bemused
London Lin: are you hating? too bad. Genny, you are awesome. keep flying the flag. Good, Great, Well Done Job….
i think that as a celebrity she is doing great not like tonto dike where peolple worry about your african authentity and there isnt much bad press about her she is one of does celebrities you no wont do drugs and all that though i must say she lacks a wowing presence
Am sorry, I like Gennie but truth be told, that wasnt exactly the best interview!What are you doing to give back to the community?I scout for talents (all well and ggood)!It was as if the first question caught her offguard, I got confused midway! please can Nigerians recognise that a lil criticism wont hurt!It only makes you reflect and do better next time. Why is it that once someone says something, it appears to us as if they are hating!smh…Anyways well done Gennie welldone.
Genny!!!!!!! Yes honey yes. That’s what I’m talking about. As for that man interviewing her, he’s such a bore! Damn no smile, no fun…….. they should’ve asked someone who is into entertainment to interview her, you know someone fun. This one dey like a judge or lawyer.
Gene am so proud of you! you were superb in that interview.
That was great Genevive, you are the best.
sorry….not intelligent at all …I know an actress who would have done us even more proud… oh well …overated.
But this is not about the country or someone sent out to represent her. This is about Genevieve and her handwork paying off. Let’s not make this too personal please. Why would you want to steal her shine and give to someone else? Perhaps that so called intelligent actress of yours should work half as hard as Gene and get her own accolade.
It’s you against the real world Roza. Oh well…delusion.
she did wel most esp d “oprah tingy”,, i love her lik crazy bt dint dig her response to da questions,, i wud say nervousness took precedence bt she made sure her words wont be used against her somday,, quite brilliant tho
ders dis ting bout her dat makes ar soo distinct, more to do wit attitude.
neva av i watched a movie wer she is “FIGHTIN OVER A MAN , unlike omotola n dat Ghanaian chick, ,, dis gal jus plays it safe n i sooo love dat!!! her character fascinates me!! te amo chama!!
Undoubtedly, she is the most visible Nigerian actress to ever work in the Nigerian industry, and so it would be a no-brainer for CNN to interview her (though i have to say Connect the World isn’t exactly an interview; it’s more of an FAQ session with someone who represents a certain group, so it’s hard to determine how interested the international press really is in her). That being said, I do think that she carried herself well in the interview, and it’s only natural that she’d have the sort of wide-eyed demeanor that she did, because, let’s face it, she isn’t used to this sort of environment. But she did do one thing absolutely right, mentioning and complimenting mainstream talent in the way up and coming Hollywood talent does to get the right attention and to get ahead; she is clearly looking for a way into Hollywood without saying so in a manner that makes her look like a wannabe. I am in no shape or form a fan of hers; I think I have mentioned on this forum that she is a terrible actress in my opinion, but truth is truth, and this was a decent performance. Perhaps a career in PR might be better suited to her.
As sweet and as neutral as you tried to sound babe your sarcasm kinda gave you away as a hater…not to mention that you think she is a terrible actress??!! Really?? Lolololololo!!!! That blasphemy alone makes this my response to you a waste of my precious time. Like….WOW!!
@ iprefernetball: “She is undoubtedly the most visible Nigerian actress to EVER work in the Nigerian industry…….she is a terrible actresss blah blah blah….” aaaaall in one breath! Makes sense boo..makes sense.
Not hating but the aspect of not walking in Lagos and getting mobbed does not potray Lagos well. Lagos is safe and u can hardly hear stars being attacked or mobbed.
I personally thought MF helped her with most of the answers. I understand being interviewed on CNN is quite daunting and she must have nervous, but the more reason why she should have prepared better.
Is it an exam? Prepare what? Then she prepares and comes out sounding like a robot then what? People here will be the first to call her fake and plastic. Humans definitely cannot be satisfied. Gene I beg u, carry go!!! Dbanj and all!!! Na u get ur life.
to me, she’s simply cool, calm and collected! i believe she has no limit, not even the sky….
I really think y’all need to look up to ur next president for rebranding and a better portrayal of Lagos, Nigeria and Africa and Leave this poor young girl to enjoy her hardwork and fame. Someone else take up the job of saving souls while she does what she knows how to do best, entertain us thru her movies.
do genevieve pay people to interview her. she need to rest and give chance for new people into nollywood. i know she will thinks that nollywood wouldn’t make it without her. i don’t why 9ja if see white the will bring their self down. she brought herself down when the white dude ask her which white person she want to act with and she was like “angielian jolie, am her biggest fan”.
genevieve will think that she is the queen of nollywood but she need to create a chance for other people that have talent like her. that is why nollywood don’t grow becos the keep using same people in all their movie.
aha! that snappy attitude we knw her wit if not for the smile i cld swear she was rude to d guy, she cudda relax take in a deep breath n talk its a gud thing u r pretty and am sure its dat witty attitude got u where u r
i just don’t like genevieve nnaji but she has an amazing talent but not the best actress in nollywood
Ur cup of tea.
Beautiful Lady! I think am from Nigeria. This website has opened me up to Africa.
that was good geeny
oh my God! this gurl(Genny) is giving Nija(sry to Dora Nigeria) pple hope of accomplishing what they set to do in life…..frm nowhere dis waka pass has achieved what most pple dreamed of…….i remove my wrapper for u gurl.She answered d last question wella….imagine d guy asking her how much we use in producing a movie…..she did not want to lie nd at d same time she did not want to fall Nija hands by telling d man d exact amount, she just swim pass by saying that we do with d little we have….Genny 4 sure!!!!!!!!!
That comment about not walking was lame. Not everywhere in lagos is unsafe. She should have stressed that for that white dude & everyone else to hear. “eko oni baje o!”? But like someone rightly said, she definitely isn’t a ‘Hillary Clinton’. The girl tried. More power!
You are always the first and the rest follows.Thanks for making me proud.
i think gene you are perfect the way you answer the questions your were ask you speak your english so fluently
i have find reasons for me to be watching nollywood movies
just because of geneveive
I have always known Genny to be wonderful. I really enjoyed the interview. I love her outfit and her coordination. She performed excellently and will always remain my favourite!
I think she was too excited, but omg its her first interview with CNN, give her a break! Her answers were good, not Barack Obama answers though, hehe! I love you and ur confidence Gene, keep it up.. God bless you!
Personally, i don’t think it’s a great interview. The interviewer was even filling in blank spaces for her and in some cases, doing the answering for her. She nailed barely three solid questions. Her nervousness got the better of her. She might be the screen goddess, definitely not a great orator.