Some may know her as Genevieve Nnaji while fans and close friends know her as Genny but before the Mbaise born actress hit the limelight there were a few hurdles in her way.
An Article published by The News sheds light on her rise to fame and how she became Genevieve Nnaji the Nigerian Movie Star…
God?s time, they say, is the best. Today Nollywood actress Genevieve Nnaji has made a name and carved a niche for herself in the movie industry but very few people, especially those who see her as a role model, know about the hurdles she scaled before becoming a star.
Apart from the embarrassments and disappointments she encountered at auditions, there was also a day Genevieve wept bitterly after being told she can no longer travel to Benin to shoot a movie. The part would have earned her just N1,500.
She was said to have begged Elvis Obaseki, who was the producer, to forget about paying her for the role, that all she wanted was to take part in the production.
Disclosing this to Nollywood Reel, Elvis said ?do you know that in this industry, some nine years ago, I priced Genevieve Nnaji for N1,500? She was even begging that it is not the money, she just wanted to be part of the job. But then, I had to drop her when she already had her travel bag with her due to economic reasons.
?The simple question I asked myself then was this: ?Why should I take this extra girl to Benin when I can get some girls just like her over there? And she actually wept over this.
?But in July 2004, Genevieve returned $6,700 that she could not work. See the irony? That is a girl without even a degree. So in Nollywood, it is not all about ability, but getting the opportunity to express yourself,? Elvis stated.
Emphasising the fact that opportunity is the hallmark of success, Elvis, who has been in Nollywood for the past 11 years, said: ?Pretty Woman is Julia Roberts? first job and since then, she has become a force to reckon with. One man appeared in Pretty Woman, he made just one statement. ?This is CNN? and whenever that is aired on the station, he makes $200.
?In the film world, it is about opportunity not ability. Just allow the person express herself. Leonardo De Capri who acted in in Titanic is another example. He did just one movie and crossed from a Grade C actor to Grade A. That is opportunity,? he stated.
Obaseki, who holds a degree in Engineering, and has been involved in events packaging for years told NollywoodReel that he will soon hit Nollywood with a bang.
?Nollywood is still my constituency. There is something I want to hit and as I do that, I will go back and produce a movie that people can sit down to watch without listening to any bad grammar or obscenity; a Nollywood story that is not an Enugu or Lagos script; Nollywood story that you will see continuity going right from the beginning to the end,? Elvis added. Source: The News
Many Fans of Genevieve Nnaji are upset at the libel they perceive from the article but I think this has done more good than harm to her career. Every fan wants to feel like their Idol is human and this article makes Genevieve Nnaji appear Human. Her struggles are like the rest of us as we struggle everyday at work, at school to get to where we want to be!
She has done her part and carved a niche for herself and her struggle has become a shadow now that she has achieved World recognition but fans of the 28 year old refuse to let the positiveness in the article prevail calling the person it is about “Egotistical”…
Won’t we all love to fast forward the journey through life………
February 10th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
she is a best actress so far,nollyhood can present,she is so natural, and we love her style of acting,infact she is qualified to enter hollhood,she is pretty beautiful and a splendid gem.in life people tends to hate you when they see that you have what it takes to make it in life, among all the nollyhood actresses we ghanaians have seen so far is gennevieve nnaji,she is so eloquent and understandable.God will continue to bless her in all her life endavour,why is it that we human beings are sometimes so jealous of ones achievement,NOLLYHOOD QUEEN,GENEVIEVE NNAJI don’t mind them,have fan we know you are the movie queen. when it comes to music youn are the expect.infact you are megally made by GOD. you are sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssooooooooooooooooooooooooooo special. but i think obaseki or whatever is name is, he is a foolishman to have come on air and say all this rubbish about you,why didn’t he say it all this years. obaseki is a fucking guy.what a stupid, name which is not melodised.MAMA GENNY don’t mind them, they are useless.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
obaseki is a foolishman, i want to see his face so i can slap in in the face,what a useless been.GENNY you will go to hollyhood and prove to them that you have what it takes, by opportunity.obaseki is a useless man all together,in nollyhood, if gennevieve nnaji as wept in other for you to take her to benin to act in a movie, and you don’t take her to benin is about four to five years ago,so why come to air and say all this rubbish obaseki is a jealous person,GENNY don’t mind them, in life if someone sees you are going forward,achieving a lot in life they some times try to bring you down by many rumours some of which are true and some which are false,or tries to tanish your image.but remember GENNY no weapon fashion against you shall prosper.your enemies will see you and fall and tremble,thousand will fall at your left side and ten thousand at your right side.GGENNY STAY BLESS, from FANS IN GHANA,we love you MISS GENNEVIEVE NNAJI our movie idol.
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I really want to give a passmark for all u have been doing in the movie industry i want to say keep it up.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I wish I could slap his dirty old face Obaseki or what ever his name is…. He is only jealous, I wish I was in Nigeria, luckily em in Texas. Genny, move on cuz whom God has blessed no man can change it… Listen, I strongly believe that Genny Blessings and uplift still got loads…
I hate Nigerian(men)mentality… its SUCKS…
I remain ur FAN as long as u still shine for Terry Williams O
March 12th, 2008 at 11:05 am
That’s the spirit girl, though you sometime begged for a role that would have earn you just 1500 naira, with your zeal and determination you are worth more than that now.
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:29 pm
you are such a wonderful actress keep it up. miss genny
May 4th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
she is still the best in the industry. Here in london, we love her movies. Gene pls keep it up.
May 4th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
she is the best
May 4th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
GENEVIEVE I LOVE YOU, YOU ARE THE BEST EVER.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
just to say i dey feel u carry go jo
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:20 pm
IT DOOES NOT MATTER IF U WEPT FOR 1500 NAIRA ROLE MY SWEET GENNY. THANK GOD U HAVE A PEDIGREE WHICH UPCOMING ACTRESS CAN LEARN FROM UR. DILIGENCE AND HARDWORK. THAT IS WHY I,M SO PROUD AND CONFIDENCE ABOUT YOU THAT YOU ARE AN ACHIEVER. REMAIN BLESSED AND REMAIN FOCUS BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT STILL THERE YET. LOT IS STILL EXPECT FROM YOU. LOVE U.
August 15th, 2008 at 9:36 am
all the best girl you. i really love your work.
August 15th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
i dont know how i splend that . she are a very very smart and great .
i m always happy for her film . every film naaji that i see is get best more and more .
i m sory my anglish is to very good i m from mali but genevieve that god keep you for long long time .
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Geny, u r the best so far.his comments r bled from sheer envy. let say he was your boss how come u surpassed him career wise?Here in uganda we love u so much and u have our support.making such comments is the sole wy he can make himself known.keep up the spirit gal.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
genny u are d best,keep focused and d sky will remain ur starting point.we love u so much.
August 31st, 2008 at 4:27 pm
u r d best thing that has happened to nollywood.l respect u l give u 100%.u 2 tight.l have read so much about u.u r my role model.l wish could c u.l am young girl who has been thru alot in life.but wen l think about u,l c hope.l wish one day l will act with you.eseosa(07031542700)
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:18 am
You are special in ur chosen career.
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:25 pm
you are a real geam,i salute ur strenght&courage please keep it up and dont be discourage cos sucess is a decision made in the mind accepted in d brain which drives u.decide to suceed and u will make it to d top”d sky is ur limit
September 11th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
nnaji, u are the best. words can,t bring u down. about ur not having a degree, girl go get one just to keep the paper, because u already have even more than what it takes to be a graduate.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:09 am
for obaseki is worthless fool what he thinks he is tha is his problem even now he can not get u with two million naira i hope u wont do any movie for him my queen if he wants to insult any body let him insult his wife if he has any people can be jealous of someones achievements but dont let them to tarnish your image everbody in owerri likes you people from oforola loves and my family ohakwes family cherish you the most stay cool girl my dream is to see u do amovies with halle berry and samuel l jackson amd denzel wahington if possible brad pitt and jolie byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
September 28th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Having degree or not is not the matter. What matters is things that you can offer. Come to think of it, I’ve being hearing genny since when i was young. But i hearing the so called obaseki for the first time. Genny is now an icon. Obaseki nobody. For genny,keep it up and take charge. While obaseki should face the hurdles in His film production so as to achieve His aim.( If any ).
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:34 pm
i just luv u girl.but i look forward to seeing ur work soonest
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:42 pm
i just luv u girl u are soo natural.but i look forward to seeing ur work soonest
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Genny ur da bomb.i luv u nd wish 2 see u soon.i luv acting pls link mi 07038049310.kandi.
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Genny ur d best,d sexiest nd my role model.i really luv acting nd would bi glad 2 hv u link mi up in d bizness.i’m a young gurl 07038049310.candy
November 4th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Hi “Sharon baby” as we call you here in Cameroon from the movie you played SHARON STONE.This movie exposed the wonderful talents you have. i love you baby keep up the good work.