Mercy Aigbe Sheds More Light On The Gap Between Yoruba & English Speaking Actors, Says We Need More Recognition

Actress Mercy Aigbe in an interview with Punch has shed more
light on the big gap between the English and Yoruba speaking actors asking that
the two bodies are one and demanded they get the same respect like their English
counterparts. She also spoke about planning to feature in a Hausa movie and
spoke about marrying her best friend. Enjoy!

What projects are you currently working on?

I have a yet-to-be released movie titled Victims for
the first time. I am also producing an English-speaking movie. I will feature
in the film even though I am famous for my roles in the Yoruba movie genre.

Why did you decide to embark on the aforementioned
project at this point in your career?

I am a professional actress and I can choose to produce a
French movie if all that is required of me is to learn how to speak the
language. I am not one to jump at any project especially when I am not too sure
about the intricacies. It took me four years to begin producing Yoruba movies
because I wanted to be grounded in the industry. As a producer, I am also an
investor and I would want to recoup my investment as well as make profit. I
will feature a number of Yoruba actors and Nollywood stars in the film, which
will be released later in the year.

Why did you kick off your career in the Yoruba movie
sector?

I didn’t choose to be in the Yoruba movie sector. I started
out in Nollywood and I featured in several soap operas and movies. My career
took a different direction when a Yoruba film producer cast me in his movie
titled Ara. The movie became a hit and I soon began getting scripts
from other Yoruba filmmakers and I couldn’t turn them down because I had just
launched my career. In no time, I became a household name in the Yoruba film
genre.

In between this time, I worked with Lancelot Oduwa-Imasuen
in his movie titled The Other Side of the Coin.

You recently spoke about Yoruba movie practitioners
being discriminated against. Why do you 

think this is so?

I really don’t know why and it has been on for a very long
time. However, we have started to get better recognition unlike what obtained
in the industry four years ago. The gap is already being bridged and I think it
is only a matter of time. I think we Yoruba actors also need to let people know
that we are also a part of Nollywood and demand to be respected like our
English counterparts. Our works will speak for us at the end of the day. I
think it is about time we are respected, so the gap that currently exists can
be closed.

Do you think the Yoruba movie genre has better actors?

Our counterparts in the English genre have always had
fantastic stories and actors. I think Nollywood should be one and devoid of any
form of disparity or segregation. The term Nollywood in my opinion means movies
made in Nigeria irrespective of the medium. I am also featuring in a Hausa
movie which will be released soon.

Why are actors in the Yoruba sector tagged
illiterates?

This is one area where I have a problem with people’s
perception of Yoruba actors. Many people think we are uneducated and can’t speak
good English. I think people are not informed, so whenever someone tells me
they are not aware I speak proper English, I simply laugh it off.

In the last few years, you have attained new heights
in your career. Some of your fans are of the opinion that you no longer fit
into the Yoruba genre.

Some people write to me and   request that I
should feature in more English movies because they believe that only then will
I gain more acceptance and recognition. My fans believe I’m not being
appreciated in my sector.

Will you eventually stop acting Yoruba movies?

I can never stop acting Yoruba movies because that industry
made me who I am today. As a matter of fact, a lot of people don’t know I am
from Edo State. When I began featuring in Yoruba films, I wasn’t speaking the
language flawlessly, so I had to learn on the job. My industry is very
accommodating and that is why I would always be grateful to them for accepting
me and giving me a platform to excel. I also produced a movie titled Osas in
order to connect with my  Benin roots.

What roles can’t you take up even if the price is
right?

I can never act nude because it is against our culture and
my beliefs.

How supportive is your husband of your career?

Whenever I am overwhelmed with my business, career and family,
he is always there to encourage me. He always recommends that I keep pushing.

Is he comfortable with the romantic scenes you take
part in?

Yes, he is and I actually kiss in my movies. I was already
an actress before I met my husband and he goes through my scripts. Sometimes,
he chastises for not kissing well in a movie. I could be on set for a week or
more and he does not make an issue out of it. I know I married my friend and he
is very understanding.

How have you being able to keep your home?

It hasn’t been easy and this is actually my second marriage.
Before I got married to my present husband, I asked God to make this my second
and last marriage because I want to stay married. Our marriage is under
scrutiny all the time and a lot of people just want to find faults even when
there are no faults. My previous marriage taught me to be more patient,
tolerant and prayerful.

What is the highpoint of your career?

That would be winning the African Magic Viewers Choice Award
for Best Indigenous Movie. The filmKomfo, won me the award in 2014.

You dressed like a winner at the last AMVCA. Were you
disappointed that you didn’t get an award?

No, I wasn’t disappointed. I already felt like a winner
because my movie, Victims, got a nomination and that is why I was dressed in a
glamorous wear. The icing on the cake was the fact that one of my mentees was
the overall winner in that particular category. I have always dreamt of a day
when someone would clinch an award and mention my name as his or her mentor.I
have always dreamt of impacting someone in the industry. When you get to a
certain stage in your career, it takes the special grace of God to mentor a
junior colleague. I feel that singular action is what makes you an icon.

Tell us more about your AMVCA outfit that sent social
media into frenzy?

People haven’t stopped talking about my dress. So many
people aren’t even aware that a young, creative Nigerian fashion designer made
the outfit. We shopped for the fabric together, agreed on the style and God
made it a hit. I arrived at the award venue with a team and a back-up dress
even though we had settled on a dress. The outfit earned me more followers and
some people have even requested that my designer make the exact dress for them
as their second wedding outfit.