Encomium
Light skinned Halimat Aitsegame is basking in the euphoria of winning the Next Movie Star 2012. After beating 16 contestants, she is ready to take the industry to another level.
She paid a courtesy visit to ENCOMIUM Weekly, she granted an interview where she told us how she won what next and sundry issues.
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Halimat Aitsegame. I am the current winner of Next Movie Star 2012. I am from Edo State. I studied Theatre Arts at University of Ibadan. After my NYSC I came to Lagos because I served in Taraba State. I have been going for one audition to another and I got tired. When you go for audition the director will tell you, you are a good actor, yet you won’t be called for the job. So, I got tired and tried another thing. I went to Federal Radio Coperation of Nigeria. I trained as a broadcaster. During that period, a friend called and asked if I have heard about Next Movie Star. She asked me to give it a try. But my thinking was that in most reality shows they know who the winner is. So, I told myself I won’t stress myself. My friend kept telling me to give it a try.
He bought the form for me. I went for the audition and saw the crowd. I was discouraged, but the girl beside me asked me, do you love to act, I said yes. Then she said you are in the right place. We did audition and I scaled through and we were short-listed to final 20.
We went into the house for training and grooming. Facilitators and celebrities came, we talked about the business side of acting. Four housemates were evicted and I was among the lucky ones.
The competition was so tough, many challenges. I thank God my friends and Nigerians saved me many times.
How will you describe the experience in the house?
It was beautiful. The things I learnt, I can’t buy them. The things we learnt were awesome and I was highly blessed.
Did you envisage you would win?
To be sincere, no. I just went to the house to have fun. I went to the house with no strategy. I did my thing.
How does it feel, now that you have won?
It feels great. I am happy and honoured.
What do you think gave you an edge in the house?
One of the good things that worked for me was my relationship with other housemates. I had a good relationship with them, I was always ready to work, ready to learn and I would say I have a good team spirit. My confidence stood me out.
Can you shed light on your experience in the house?
Many things happened, a lot of challenges. Waking early in the morning. One of the things I learnt in the house was punctuality. Around 12am, the voice of the house would wake you and you have to be ready.
I also learnt to accommodate people. You have to be able to accommodate people because you will meet many people with different characters that you just have to be calm and tolerate them.
How do you intend to make your brand known to movie lovers in Nigeria?
As an actor, I am Halimat Aitsegame, and my style of acting is different from Genevieve Nnaji. My style will speak for me.
The standard the Next Movie Star has set for you, how do you intend to manage it?
So far, I have been managing stardom well. I am myself, and nothing will change me. I have not allowed anything get into my head. A mentor of mine told me, success is not a destination, it is a journey.
To me success is very easy but to maintain it is very hard. When I got home after the competition, my dad told me I shouldn’t allow it get into my head. Right now, what you pray for is fortune that will go with your fame. When you get there, the other things you should ask God for is wisdom and ability to manage fortune and still remain humble.
I think it has been working for me. Nothing has changed about me.
Where do you see your career in five years?
Five years, I should be a household name. I should be one of the big names in Nollywood. I should be a mother.
Are you in a relationship?
I want to make that private. I want to make my private life private.
Is Halimat a fashion person?
I like to look good. Looking good is a good business. if you want a billion dollars you have to look like a billion dollar.
What is the prize attached to your title, and has it been redeemed?
It’s an SUV and a cash prize.
Who do you have in mind to work with?
For director, I look forward to working with Tunde Kelani, Kunle Afolayan, Emem Isong and Desmond Elliot. TK is a veteran in the industry. He does not do movies like that, but when he drops, it’s always a bomb. He is a fantastic cinematographer and everyone knows that.
I look forward to working with so many veterans, those who have made statement in the industry. The likes of Aunty Joke Silva, Olu Jacobs, Pete Edochie. And also others like Rita Dominic, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Nse Etim Ikpe.
What do you think the future holds for you?
The sky is just the beginning for me. I look forward in exploring so many areas in Nollywood and also looking into producing very soon.
– AJOKE ONITOLO
