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With a name as long as that of the typical Spaniard, Lotachukwu Amelia Obianuju Jacinta Ugwu a.k.a Lota Chukwu is already a familiar face to the thousands of Nigerians who tune in to the comedy TV series, Jenifa’s Diary.
Actress, Model, Yoga buff, and self-described mother of four (relax, she’s talking about her four dogs), she epitomizes the promise and audaciousness of young Nollywood. She made her formal debut as the lead character in the movie Fine Girls, released in April and made by acclaimed producer Uduak Isong. Her other movie credits include Iyore, The Perfect Plan and The Wind Chasers.Image may be NSFW.
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In an exclusive interview with Ms. Chukwu via social media and phone calls. To staff writer Ijeoma Ossi, her voice was the first surprise; clear, friendly and bubblier than sparkling wine. Over the course of a few hours we talked about Lota Chukwu’s multi-faceted life, and she does not disappoint. Indeed she comes across as smart, unusually perceptive and unafraid of experimentation; her ventures into blogging, cooking and yoga are proof of these traits. A native of Nsukka L.G.A, Enugu State, her early years were spent in Benin. She equally studied Agricultural Economics and Extension at the University of Benin, but obviously her destiny was to be in another field.
When did you decide that Agric. wasn’t going to be your career?
I always knew. But I grew up in a conventional home where you are expected to go to school, study something ‘sensible’ and graduate, marry, have kids and continue the cycle. So acting for me was a wish. When I was in SS3, we were shooting our final school album and the photographer brought up the idea of modeling, so I started from there. I did it for a couple of years but stopped when I got into the university. In my third year, I decided to go for the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2011, and that changed everything for me. I haven’t looked back since.
You mentioned a conventional home. How many are you in your family? Are they supportive of your acting and modeling?
I am the last child, with three older siblings. See? Very conventional.
They are now. In the beginning they were very skeptical because I am everyone’s baby, but they’ve seen that I can take care of myself. Plus it’s what makes me truly happy so they are very supportive now.
So when was your first big break? How did it feel?
That was in December 2014, when I got the role for Jenifa’s Diary. It felt surreal. Still does.
What did you think of Funke Akindele when you met her?
I have been a fan since her I Need To Know days, and the first day I saw her was during the audition for Jenifa’s Diary. I was so nervous because I was being auditioned by her, but I knew I had to impress so I did that.
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