ACTOR, PRESENTER, DOCTOR: THE

MANY HATS KIKI OMEILI WEARS.

In this interview with Ogochukwu Umeadi, Nollywood actor, Kiki discusses acting, producing and what’s
next for Nollywood.

Can we meet you?

My name is Kiki Omeili. I am from Anambra state in Nigeria, I'm a trained medical doctor and actor.

How was growing up like for you?

Growing up was a lot of fun for me. I grew up with an elder sister and two younger brothers. We
travelled a lot because my dad was a banker and loved to travel. I have a lot of fun, nostalgic memories
of my childhood.

When did the acting bug bit you?

It was sometime in secondary school. I was so interested in movies both local and foreign. I would spend
all my time watching movies and memorizing the names of actors and directors. I also did stage plays in
secondary school.

Did you study acting while in school?

No. I didn't study acting or Theatre arts. I studied medicine at the college of medicine, University of
Lagos and graduated with an MBBS degree in 2006.

How did you combine acting, which is the queen of the arts with being a science student?

I didn't act seriously until I had actually graduated. In school, I would emcee events and things like
symposiums but I didn't actually act until I had graduated and completed my internship and NYSC.

What are your parent’s views about that?

My parents have been very very supportive and I am grateful for that. It's difficult to pursue something
or go after what you really want if you are constantly opposed by your parents. So I am thankful for that.
I always say that parents just want to know that you will be okay in whatever field that you have chosen
to be in.

Most people know you as an actor but very few people know you're also a Presenter and a Medical
Doctor. Tell us about your presenting and medical practice?

Actually it's common knowledge that I am a doctor. A simple google search about me reveals all kinds of
newspaper and blog articles about the actor who is a medical doctor. I have been granting interviews
concerning this same subject since I did my first movie in 2012. Presenting is something that I like to do
because I like to stand in front of people and talk. I did some presenting on TV and on radio as well but I
don't do it as often as I would like anymore because acting takes up most of my time. I don't practice
clinical medicine at the moment but I renew my medical license every year, attend update courses when
I can and I am actively involved in health advocacy. I even manage to infuse a health lesson or two into
anything that I produce.

Do your parents approve of your acting career?

If there was any disapproval on their part, they didn't show it or try to stand in my way. They have been
very supportive and I love them for that.

2011 was your big break. You got to play Debbie in the TV series, "Behind The Smile." Tell us about it.

I had been attending auditions for some time and finally auditioned for that project and landed the lead
role. It was my first acting role and it was a TV series. I played opposite greats like Femi Brainard,
Rachael Oniga and the late Olumide Bakare. It was directed by Tunde Olaoye and it was a fan favourite
because my character was always up to no good. I did four seasons of the show before moving on to
other things.

In 2012, you followed it up with your role in "Married But Living Single." How did you do that?

"Married But Living Single" was my first Movie role. I auditioned for and got the part. It was also
directed by Tunde Olaoye and he was pretty confident in my acting abilities given that we had worked
together previously and he knew what I was capable of.

Your character Joke in "Couple of Days" got you rave reviews. How were you able to pull that off?

I always say that I love to play characters who are very far removed from who I really am. Kiki and Joke
are on opposite ends of the spectrum. We are as different as different can get and that's why playing
her was such a delight. I observe and study people very closely and I am able to bring aspects of certain
people's personalities into certain characters that I play. We all know a "Joke"; Someone who is very
loud and brash and makes her opinion known regardless of who she will offend in the process. I also
chose to infuse quite a bit of Yoruba into her dialogue to further highlight who she was and the audience
absolutely loved it.

Your short film "Unprotected," what was it about?

Unprotected is a short film that I made as part of a filmmaking challenge after attending a film
workshop. I chose to tell that story because it was based on an actual event that I had witnessed while in
medical school. It had stayed with me ever since and I always knew that I would tell that story if I ever
got a chance to. "Unprotected" tells the story of a Young Man whose actions or the lack thereof expose
his family to certain health challenges that could have been avoided. It's quite entertaining and
educative too.
Any plans of making it a Feature or a Series?

No. That story has been told and I have moved on to other things. There are many stories to tell and
many lessons to teach. It’s best not to over flog it.

What's the progress report on your Feature-length Production debut, "Run"?

I am currently in discussions with my distributor about a possible release date in 2019. It is a project that
I am very proud of and excited about because I wrote it as well and like I said, I tried to infuse a lesson or
two. There is a lot of medical knowledge to share.

Do you have intentions of producing a high-energy medical television series like Grey's Anatomy or
any medical-themed film coming from a medical background?

To be perfectly honest, producing in Nigeria is very challenging and such a series will be very capital
intensive. It would be more likely to happen if it was sponsored by a health organization in which case I
would be more than happy to. I always say that film is a wonderful platform for educating as well as
entertaining people. I like to walk away from a film/episode of a TV show having learnt something and
that's what a series like that would do.

Have you had any instance where you corrected your director when shooting a medical/hospital
scene?

It happens all the time. Not just a director. Sometimes a set designer or a costume designer. Sometimes
they are willing to listen and appreciate the corrections and make the necessary changes. Other times
they are adamant and want to do things the way they think it should be done. Nevertheless, I do my
part.

Do you have plans of directing in future?

All options are open. Who knows? We may be seeing "A Kiki Omeili film" sometime in the future.

What inspires you to take on a project?

I like projects that tell a good story, teach a thing or two, have high production values, a good cast and
crew

and can stand the test of time. Posterity is always a good reason to do a project.

Do you reject scripts?

Yes, for several reasons. Sometimes a script may be badly written, sometimes the story may have many
plot holes, and sometimes it may clash with another project that I have previously committed to.

Which one role did you reject and never looked back?

There are several. When I turn down a project, I just move on.
How many films have you acted in so far?

So far I have done something in the neighborhood of 40 movies.

Tell us about your most challenging role?

It would probably have to be playing a brash, tough-talking gangster in Walter Banger's "Gbomo Gbomo
Express". The challenge with every role is to be believable and it wasn't easy to pull of being uncouth
and rough around the edges believably.

What challenges did you face while shooting “Run”?

Several. First obviously was funding, and choosing the right cast and crew for the project. Secondly, 98%
of the movie was shot at night and they were exterior scenes. Filming in Lagos in an environment that is
not controlled was not easy. We had to have police security for the entire period. It wasn't easy but we
pulled it off.

Are you a social activist actor?

Definitely. Film is a very important tool for social change and the actor is the vehicle through which
messages are passed.

What social activism project are you engaged in now?

My feature film "Run" which I wrote and produced, is in many ways a social activism project and you will
understand why I said that when you get to see it. It does pass across a message or two.

Do you have any regrets?

None whatsoever.

What advice will you give to medical students who wants to toe the path you have?

I'd say be 100% sure that it's what you want for yourself. I believe that medicine is a calling and the
people who should practice it are those who genuinely love it because it's not easy and only the genuine
love for it and passion will make you excel at it. Likewise only passion can make you excel at acting and
keep at it because it is not easy. It requires a lot of time and dedication, persistence, crazy hours on set
and the remuneration isn't always worth the effort. So,it needs to be something that you are TOTALLY
sure that you want to do.

Is there any man in your life now?

You will be the first to know as soon as I know.

What does Kiki Omeili like in her man?

I like a man who is intellectually sound, sensible, presentable, well-spoken, independent, confident and
God-fearing.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Making and doing internationally recognized/critically acclaimed film projects.

When you're not on set or in the studio presenting, how do you relax?

I go to the movies and hang out with friends and family.

Where do you see Nollywood in the next ten years?

Nollywood has already garnered a lot of international attention. It has grown in leaps and bounds and is
still growing and can only get better. I see projects coming out of Nollywood that can compete globally
on any scale.