I get insulted for looking like Mercy Johnson– Keira Hewatch

Background

I am an only child and I wanted to be a beautiful queen, like in fairytales. I grew up in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, and that is also where I hail from. I had a regular childhood like everybody else. I attended several schools because my mum was a police officer; she was often transferred to different cities.

Education

For my post-elementary education, I attended Police Secondary School, Minna, Niger State, and Sador Airport Authority Staff School, Calabar. Then, I studied Travel and Tourism Hospitality Management at the Graduate School of Management Studies, Ghana. I lived in Ghana for a while before returning to Nigeria but I plan to go back.

Acting

I have always wanted to act; I was very expressive and artistic as a kid. My mum also encouraged me to read by buying me a lot of books. The first movie I acted in was titled Crossroads. It was produced by Emeka Ossai and he starred in it as well. It was also on the set that I met Kate Henshaw for the first time. However, while in Ghana, I featured in some movies but they never saw the light of day.

Parents’ reaction

Initially, I didn’t enjoy the support of my parents because they are religious people and they believed that the industry was corrupt and immoral. They felt it was not a place for a Christian lady to be in. I understood their point of view but I had to do what I had always wanted to do. I respect and love my parents but I also have to take charge of my life. Eventually, they came to see that and they have been very supportive of my career.

Breakthrough

I became well-known after I featured in the movie, Two Brides and a Baby, but I have done a few films that have gone straight to online television. Other movies I have starred in include In the Name of Trust, Murder at Prime Suites, Dinner, Lekki Housewives and Fifty, among others.

Music

I am actually a musician but I don’t really do music mainstream. I have been trying in the last decade to make a name for myself as an actor but I have not gotten to where I want to be yet. Music is a whole career on its own which cannot be juggled (with another) if you have not mastered one completely. I will still do music but not just at the moment.

Scandals

I used to get insulted for looking like Mercy Johnson. The last time I got insulted was when I starred in the movie, Two Brides and a Baby. Since that time, I have not experienced such. Back then, it made me sad because I was being insulted based on something I did not understand. Mercy Johnson is a beautiful woman and for anyone to compare us is really something to be thankful for.

Roles

I believe that an actor can relate with every character that she plays. I can relate with all the characters I have played, unless I played a stone; then I will not be able to relate with it.

Challenges

It has been tasking. At a point, mixed information was put out about me but I resolved to grind it out.

Personality

I have a combination of different unique qualities. I go with the flow of life. I am all about whatever is beautiful and excites me; it does not matter what jungle of life it might be in. I like to read a lot because I am thirsty for knowledge. I do a lot of research. I also like to teach myself new things. I don’t like drama and I am a humanist. I just want to be happy; if I can get that, then I have achieved my major goal.

Role models

I do not have a role model; I am my own role model.

Current projects

I am currently on the set of a series created by Yemi Blaq.

Men

I like tall, light-skinned and handsome men.

Fashion

I dress however my mood dictates. Sometimes, I can be all squeaky girl with jeans and T-shirt. Sometimes, I can be all gypsy girl, with flowing flowery clothes and sometimes, I can be chic, upper class with nice shirt, skirt and pencil heels.

Relaxation

I like to watch movies and I like to read. I also like to play video games. I am a geek but I do good things. Once in a blue moon, if there is something happening outside, I might decide to go out and hang out with some people on the beach.

Copyright PUNCH.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: theeditor@punchng.com