INTERVIEW WITH THE SIX FINALISTS OF NEXT MOVIE STAR 2007

Amidst joy, shock, disbelief and celebration on Friday 5th, October, 2007, Alayande Stephen T. caught up with the finalists of the recently concluded Next Movie Star 2007, these are the excerpt, enjoy.

ENOCH HAMMOND- The NMS 2007 Winner

This is Enoch Hammond man from Ghana! I don't know how I'm feeling right now.

How do you feel being declared the NMS 2007 Winner?

I feel good, I feel very great. He bursts into laughter and start singing the popular tune “I feel good . . . “ I still don't know how I'm feeling right away, but I think I feel so good. Thank you Jesus, thank you Lord!

Several hours before you were declared the winner of the NMS 2007, would you have thought you could win?

Confirm NMS 2007 is not only going to Ghana but is won by Enoch Hammond (Eeh!) No! no! I didn't think of that because we were left with six intelligent people in the house. We all came to this show to learn, and we have improved so much. I didn't know who actually would go during evictions, same thing during the finals. I never knew it was coming to Enoch Hammond, by the grace of God, it came to Enoch Hammond and it came to Ghana men. (He shouted at the top of his voice)

Who do you consider your greatest opponent in the House?

I was very scared of Uti, not only for his talents but for his looks. He is a good looking young guy and I know people will be falling for him and invariably be voting for him. I was also very scared of Femi, he came to the competition as a learner but gradually he was improving and very committed to his course .So, day and day out, I keep thinking to myself that this guy can't overtake me. For the ladies in the house, I knew the girls were not up to our match. But for the guys, I was really scared.

As NMS 2007 Winner, what is your plan for the next one year?

To raise the flag of NMS and also to thank God for making me the eventual winner of the show. Without anybody's knowledge, I had three days fasting and prayer in the house, my housemates didn't know. I was not eating, but I know what I was doing. I made a covenant with God.

Three days fasting and prayer

Constantly reading the bible and praying in the house, because I know God has done it for me and I will fulfill my part of the covenant. That is to pay my tithes. I also want to flag the flag of NMS very high, I don't want to be dormant and also want to cause a revolution in the Ghanaian entertainment industry.

Managing stardom as NMS 2007 Winner

Actually, I understand that stardom is a topic on its own, but I hope DIM is going to help me in managing myself as a star. I know myself to be very discipline, and very focused in all I do and I know I am going to fly high. I am always looking forward to the Lord to help me.

For numerous fans/admirers out there

I say thank you very much, I thank you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I admire you so much and appreciate all you have done for me, your support and votes, because without you, I won't be here today not of being the eventual winner, you are all blessed in name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I wish I had all the numbers of these individual of those who supported me in this programme, but unfortunately I don't have, but I say thank you and God bless you in all diverse ways. I love you all.

The NMS 2007 Organisers and the level of the organization

Whao o! It is very high men, I thank the organizers, I give them high five men! I wouldn't know all of them, but I know Solar, I know Jamal, John, La face etc I thank you all, keep up your good work. In one of my statement in the house, I said that I hope that in six months, the NMS move to two other African countries, if not more West Africa countries, if not more African countries. In five years time, I am looking forward to see the NMS Africa, and I will be here to support the course.

For the Youths out there who want to be part of NMS

The reality show is very real men, we have discipline, we have focus and we have talents, please, don't take it as a joke, whatever the Lord has put together for you, try and achieve it. Youths, wake up to the cause and you will make it life.

Uti Nwachukwu – 1st Runner up
My name is Uti Nwachukwu from Abhor, in Ndokwa Local Government Area from Delta State in Nigeria.

How do you feel being the 1st runner up in NMS 2007?

I feel like a winner men! Because I am the first when it comes to Nigeria in the ratings. I feel very great; it still feels like a dream to me, but till I get out and meet people out there, I really don't know how big this is yet. I am just basking in the euphoria right know. I am having a blast basically.

Few hours before the declaration, would you have thought of becoming the 1st runner up, not the winner?

This might sound kind of conceited or like arrogant, I don't care. You can ask the housemates right from time, you can ask the other housemates. I predicted it. I have very good instinct, one day I was sitting down here and I looked at Enoch, I smiled and said, dude! Congratulations .The guy said Ha! Ha! Why? And I said just believe, and the guy said okay, I trust your predictions. And in the room later I told him that I just have this instinct in me that you are first, and I will come third or second, at least I will be in the top six, and the housemates were like very surprise. It's really good to come second.

What are your plans after NMS 2007?

I can't answer that because that will be giving away my status right now, I am so sorry, just wait and you guys will be thrilled and be proud of me.

Managing your stardom

I am going to manage stardom with the way I was thought here. Luckily for us we were groomed on our attitude and how to respond to all type of situations and issues as it comes to us. Thank God for that, so, I will manage stardom with all that I have learnt during the training and grooming sessions we had in Ghana before the reality show started. It has always been my dream to veer into the entertainment industry. So I am entering the industry with open arms. I am a daring person, I am open to so many ideas and I'm ready to take Nigeria and the rest of Africa by storm.

Words for your fans/admirers

People, my people! I am from Delta. So my people from Edo/Delta, from the South/South Nigeria and Ghana, 'I dey feel una, I know say if no be una, I no for fit get here. Thank you all, God bless you, God bless me'. I promised I will make you proud, just watch out for Uti, you will be proud you make the winner from Nigeria.

About NMS Organisers

Thank you for putting me through psychology, physical and emotional examination but then thank you for DIM has made me a better person. I am so grateful for this experience. And by the grace of God, you guys will expand to the rest of Africa in the next few years. God bless you and keep you guys for the rest of your days. I love you all.

For youths out there that wants to be the part of NMS

I would say be your self. If you are not like the rest of the world, or the average person out there, then my advice is that you should be unique and special If anybody chooses A, choose B as long as B is not wrong, stand out in the crowd, make your view, make your own decision and don't let anybody bring you down. Thanks.

Martha Ankomah (2nd Runner up)
How do you feel being declared the third for this year's NMS?

Oh my God! Im so happy, I don't even know the words to describe it you know, I feel so great, I feel like a star right now, I thank God for the opportunity given to me, so grateful to God Almighty.

Some few hours ago, did you ever think you could come out third eventually?

Actually, to the best of my knowledge, I am the winner already; I am not seeing myself as a loser at all. I was just telling God I am so grateful for bringing me this far in the competition.

What is your next plan after the NMS 2007?

Oh my next plan! By God's grace, I have a contract with Lancelot Imasuen, one of the best Directors in Nigeria. I hope to shoot that movie with him and I pray to God that movie directors will come looking for me. I'm also very hopeful for the future with this platform given to me.

Managing your new found status.

You know something in life, being a star is something like you said, managing your stardom is another thing altogether. Getting to the top is different from staying at the top, being at the top forever and getting established is through God. I believe in God, I am a very good Christian and I'm still going to look up to Him, because it is God that has brought me this far. I pray not to be distracted in life for I will continue to serve God and I know I will get to the top.

A word for your numerous fans/admirers

I just want to tell them that I love them so much and I'm very grateful for their votes, what they've been saying about me on the internet, TV and newspapers everywhere in Nigeria. I pray God bless you really good for me. Thank you very much.

For the Organizers of NMS 2007

Oh my God! I say God bless them, it is not easy for you to be talent and someone just pick you up and give you the platform to launch yourself in the movie industry. I am so grateful, may the lord Almighty bless them, and favour them in all their ways in Jesus name (Amen).

Advice for the youths out there who wants to be the Next Movie Star

I will tell them that if you know you have the talent in acting, don't let anybody tell you forget about it; don't stop pursuing your dreams for every great thing in Life comes with its price. Nothing comes easy in this world, with that at the back of your mind, you can achieve greatness in life.

AMEH LUCY FRANSCESCA
My name is Ameh Lucy Francesca, I am from Benue state, Idoma by tribe, Edumago precisely, I am student of University of Jos, I finished my Diploma in Law, and I am hoping to get admission there too. I am twenty years old, and I am a very nice person, I'm also a Nigerian.

How do you feel being part of the last six finalists of the NMS 2007?

I feel really great, I feel like a star because I am already one, Ha! Ha! Because we were sixteen that entered the house, we had four stages of evictions and I scaled through all of them.

How did you feel when your name was not among the first three

Oh! The whole task was so tough at that time, and we all had it at the back of our minds that only one winner will emerge. I really didn't feel bad because I still stayed in the house till the finals and I know I am still better than those that left the house earlier. I will say I got the exposure I needed from the programme. Right now, I know I am a star, I feel proud of my housemates, and the winner.

Briefly, tell us why you didn't win

I don't have any idea why I didn't win; I was told that I was amongst those that have the highest votes. I didn't know what happened, but I will just say it is God, you know. Maybe it wasn't my time to win, but I know I am a star already.

In an interview you granted before the finals, you considered Uti as a potential winner with a better chance than you. Why?

I feel I should just mention someone else, and not myself, I was just being modest, I had to mention Uti, he has a very good look, this star outlook and he also a very good actor and he is my friend and he really gets on my nerves. I was very confident in myself, but I will just say its God.

With the platform giving by NMS 2007, what is next?

Though, I am a star, but to most producers and directors, they don't know me but my dream is to convince them and get movie roles. You know we have three movie contracts with DIM already.

How do you intend managing your stardom

Yeah! Your fans make you, you really have to be nice to you fans, not to snub them, hug them if need be, sign autographs, smile back at them if they smile at you, and put my trust in God to help me.

To the organizers of NMS 2007

For me, I am so grateful, very grateful to them discovering the talents in me and giving me the opportunity to be among the top sixteen. At first we were like twenty four before they picked the final sixteen. I will say I am so grateful to Sola Fajobi, you saw that in me and you gave me the opportunity, thank you very much, may God continue to bless your work and continue to provide for you in Jesus name (Amen).

To your fans/admirers out there

Hey! To my fans out there, men if not for you guys men! I won't be amongst the top six, I would have been evicted a long time ago, and for my admirers, keep admiring (she laughs) I love you guys.

To youths out there that wants to be NMS stars too

Yeah! I would say follow your dreams, with determination and hard work, you will achieve your dream, don't worry, buy NMS form, come for audition and you might be lucky this time around.

OSHINUGA OLUFEMI
I am Osinuga Olufemi a.k.a. Big Hosh, one of the finalists of the NMS 2007, I am neither the winner, nor the 2nd and 3rd, but a proud finalists. I am from Ogun State and hail from Sagamu.

How do you feel being part of the last six, and eventually not declare the winner?

I feel great for being part of the final six, but not being called the winner, its all the same you know, yeah, a winner must emerge and for everybody cannot win, I feel great though I didn't win the competition, I am happy for my brother from another country, Enoch and my main men, Uti and Martha, they have done well.

Why were you not chosen as the winner of the NMS 2007?

I can't really say why, but I see is that I have always being saying this that everybody left in the last final are very good and talented because I see them during the competition and assignment, I would say God just put me through, we are all good actors and actresses.

Your plans after the NMS 2007

To go back to school, to go and study directing in PETFI and for edition of movies and get movie roles, Radio presentation, TV presentation, broadcasting etc things will come, In sha Allah.

Your Voice

I am planning to polish my voice, because I don't know how to use it very well, I will still go for more training ( Like Salagashi-laugh) I want to host reality shows and many more, like West Africa Idols.

For the organizers of the NMS 2007

Men! I just want to say big thank you to them for giving the opportunities to show case my talents to the whole world, DIM thank you very much. I love you guys.

For your fans/ admirers out there

Thank you so much, for you guys kept me in the house till the last finals, if not for you, I wouldn't come this far. A million kisses for all of you.

LYDIA FORSON
My name is Lydia Forson from Ghana; I have got my flex (laughter!). I am a final year student from University of Ghana majoring in English Language and Information studies. I from a family of five, my father is a Pastor and my mother helps him in his missionary work, it is a family ministry.

How do you feel not being eventually chosen as the NMS 2007 Winner?

Funny enough, I don't really feel bad because of the hype I have seen on pages of Newspaper in Nigeria and Ghana, even on the website, I asked God for a platform and HE just gave me one. Even if I don't win, I was not a push over, I didn't loose because I wasn't good enough but because we were all very good and somebody jus has to win. It feels good to know that it was a Ghanaian that eventually won.

Your plans after NMS 2007

I have learnt a lot from the house, for me the learning process continues, and I can't say precisely what contract or project I'm going to get or that awaits me, but I can say authoritatively that the energy and the effort I put in the project will make the difference.

I hope to save enough money because I'm dreaming to go to New-York Film Academy to learn more about the film industry.

To the Organisers of NMS 2007
IF I could afford it, I poised to take them all to where a trip to the Bahamas (laughter!) but for now I just want to say a big thank you. I can't say that I am going to big this, I can only show them, because talk is cheap. God help me, lets just wait and see.

Your fans/admirers
I just want to thank everybody for believing in me, even when I didn't believe in myself

Where there time you didn't believe in yourself?

Yes! They are times in the house that assignment and I looked around, and everybody find it easy except for me, but for every stage we move to, I was reminded that there were people out there who believed in me, hence, I have to believe in myself.

For Youths who wants to become the Next Movie Star

Don't let others opinion of you becomes the opinion of yourself, just believe in yourself and be willing to take a risk to achieve your dream, because life is a risk.