Zen Meets Award Winning Ghanaian Actress Ama K Abebrese
She is an award winning Ghanaian TV presenter, producer, and actress who has worked alongside the very best. Hollywood actors such as Jimmy Jean-Louis, Kimberly Elise, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Yemi Blaq are a few of the top actors Ama K Abebrese has worked with. As a seasoned TV presenter, she has interviewed international celebrities such as Harrison Ford, Neyo, Ziggy Marley, Akon, Rihanna, Idris Elba and George Lucas. Ama K is a Superstar actress and we caught up with her before her trip to America to talk about all things movie. We get to find out what has been her most favourite role so far as an actress and her plans for the future.
ZeN: What inspired you to get into acting?
Ama K: I remember watching movies as a child and being fascinated with how they were made, how real and believable they were. I then started to participate in school plays. I joined various drama groups, so I could explore the field. My passion for acting grew more and more, and I went on to study Drama at GCSE, A Level and Degree Level. I love the performing in general, to be able to create stories and showcase to an audience, I love that process.
ZeN: Has it always been a dream of yours to be an actor?
Ama K: Yes I think so! I was always drawn to performing. My mom told me I used to dance to my family when I was about 3 years old. I don't remember much, but I remember thinking wanting to be on the silver screen from early on. So I started with the stage, and I am so glad for that because of the discipline I got from from that experience. Acting is great, because as an actor, you get the chance to play so many characters and showcase them to an audience. Their responses to those characters, are often based on the actor's portrayal, and that in itself is a drive as an actor to do your best.
ZeN: What has been your favourite role so far?
Ama K: Playing the character of 'Pabi' in the award winning movie 'Sinking Sands'. My first lead role in a movie, and it also won me my first major award at the 2011 African Academy Movie Awards for 'Best Actress in a Leading Role'.
ZeN: Have you ever been injured on stage or on the set?
Ama K: Thank God nothing major, once on stage at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith, London; I hit my foot on something during a performance. I did not even notice until after the play when I realised my foot was a sore. The great thing about being on stage is the adrenaline. It makes you forget every other thing.
ZeN: What do you enjoy most about acting?
Ama K: The whole process, developing a history for the character you are playing, the walk, the talk, their strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes you have to cultivate a whole persona for the character. I like rehearsals, being on stage, being on set, the whole process can be beautiful and also I am so blessed because I get to work with some amazing people and create amazing art with these people.
ZeN: Let's talk fashion, who are your top African fashion brands?
Ama K: I love African fashion, and there is an amazing movement that is happening at the moment. I admire too many to name them all. A few notable ones I like, are Knafcouture, Virgos Lounge, Maki Oh, Anita Quansah and Sa4a.
ZeN: What do you like the most about African fashion?
Ama K: African fashion is so vast and unique in so many ways. The many continents of Africa provide us with so many classs that are ever evolving and it's hard to put into one box.
ZeN: What has been your worst fashion moment on the red carpet?
Ama K: Going to a launch event, straight from the office, looking like a school teacher, and upon seeing the carpet, realising I was not dressed the part. It was a daytime event, but still, people were dressed up, and I just looked like I made no effort, which in all fairness, I didn't.LOL
ZeN: What can we expect next from Ama K?
Ama K: More movies, TV shows and plays; I just pray for God's guidance through it all.
ZeN: What charities do you support presently?
Ama K: I am an Ambassador for 'Safechild Ghana', and one of my main responsibilities as an Ambassador is to educate the children on how to stay safe and to teach them that they each have a choice.