The Uti Nwachukwu Interview: ‘God used Big Brother Africa to change my life’

Since being on the reality TV show, Big Brother Africa, Uti Nwachukwu has joined the ranks of top celebrities in Nigeria. The actor, model and musician has had his own fair share of controversy during his time in the spotlight. Recently, he sat down to have a chat with NET, and he had a lot to say.

How does it feel to be Uti, especially now, when it seems like a lot of great stuff is happening for you?

I’m short of words, I’m actually in awe of my own self. It feels like I’m living a life that’s written in a book or some TV series. If you watch the series called ‘Entourage’, I feel like I’m an actor in that series right now, but it’s so surreal for me and I thank God everyday for my blessings because I didn’t do anything to deserve any of these things I have gotten. It’s just the favour of God. Many are called but few are chosen. I don’t know why God has chosen me, which is why I always say, God should always use me to touch the lives of people so that I don’t waste this opportunity he has given me or these blessings. He has done it for me and he’s been awesome, he’s been great, he’s been kind. I’m just extremely thankful and grateful to the higher power that has made me who I am today which is the God of Israel.

While growing up, did you know you were going to be in the entertainment industry?

Oh, yes of course. I went to school because of my parents. Left to me, I would have gone to the school of Performing Arts but I’m happy because naturally, I have the talent, so it was good to get educated with something else which is of course Computer Science and Education. I was one of the smart kids in school. I wasn’t like the straight A student, I had like the A, B and one or two C’s here and there. In fact, I actually graduated from Benson Idahosa University with a 3.9GPA; 2-1. I’m happy that I’m educated in the Sciences, and the Arts is naturally me. I have always wanted to be an entertainer,

So, how was growing up for you?

It was awesome. It was great. I had one of those magical childhoods. In fact, I wish I could time-travel back to my youth. I had a wonderful childhood. I’m the last in a family of six, four girls and a guy. We were really close, we used to hang out a lot, even at home. We were the [kind of] family that would sit around, our father would tell us stories, [and] our mother would support him. I came at a time when my father and mother had settled. I was the last, and I was sort of born at a time when things were good. I never suffered, and as the last born, I always had my siblings to take care of me, even when my parents retired. I used to get involved in a lot of leisure activities and the company my father worked in had an estate, so we went swimming, and had picnics.

How is the music thing working out for you?

I just resurrected my music career because I tasted it in 2011 with first single, ‘My Life’ then a few others that I released. The video was nominated at the Nigerian Music Video Awards, so that has to count for something. People have heard it and I have not received any bad comment about it. The genre of music I chose, Alternative Rock is really unique in Nigeria and there’s a market for it but it might not be very commercial. To me, music is not really about being commercial. It’s a personal, passionate, hunger of the mind and I’m just satisfying that hunger. I just met a producer, McRock, his real name is McDonald. The reason I didn’t do any other rock music was because I wasn’t really impressed with the production I was hearing. You know, Nigerians specialize in hip-hop and dance music and I’m not going to do that. McDonald and I went to BIU together, so when I met him again this year he told me he produces rock and he took me to his studio in Abuja, and I was blown away. Right there and then, we composed a new song and then I voiced it, and right now, we have like nine songs. I’m not doing it for the money, I’m doing it for the passion, and for deep people, people that are very emotional and can connect with me because I’m a very deep person. Before the end of the year hopefully, the album ‘Epiphany’ should be out. It’s just a collection of alternative and slow rock songs.

How did being on Big Brother affect your life?

Big Brother opened doors for me, for me. My appearance in Big Brother was my success in entertainment industry. Even when I didn’t win initially, I had people like Rita Dominic, Ramsey Nouah, Moses Ewang, Emem Isong supporting me. They saw the potential in me, even though I didn’t win. And then when I won, I could connect with producers and entertainment outfits and from there, life just changed because Big Brother was like a marketing tool for me. In as much I won the money, I had the added advantage of displaying my talent on TV, that’s why I tell people that the show will open doors for whatever you want to do. God used it to change my life and I’m really grateful.

What did you do with the money you won from Big Brother Africa?

I have one or two things I’m doing with the money; small investments here and there which I’d rather not disclose now, but trust me, I’m not one of those people that got the money and squandered it. It made me work harder because the responsibilities increased, and you don’t want to lose that. I have tasted both sides of fame, when I didn’t win and when I won. I know how I was treated when I didn’t win, and I’m not willing to go back there. I’m making sure that with God on my side, I remain relevant and I keep working harder and harder. You are looking at $200,000, now the major mission is how to turn $200,000 dollars into $2 million, how to turn $2 million into $4 million, how to turn 4 into 10, 10 into 20, till you get to a billion. That’s the target, you don’t just rest and say ‘oh! I have won this money’ and then lose it all. That’s why I work like a mad man.  It depends on you, set your own target, set your own limit, and tell yourself what you want, focus and go for it.

How far have you gone with your foundation?

They say you can’t just make people aware without offering a solution. So, there’s a lot that has to be put in consideration before you float that kind of awareness campaign, because it’s one thing to create awareness but what about the solution? If you are going to dash and make people know that there’s a problem, you should also provide solutions for them and be able to sponsor the ones that cannot afford the care and the solution, so that’s why my Cancer foundation has been put on hold and we are still gathering more knowledge.

Let’s talk about projects you are currently working on?

I have like four, five scripts in my inbox now, I’m supposed to shoot two in Ghana and somebody just gave me another script before you got here. My boss, Desmond Elliot just sent me a big and beautiful script that I can’t wait to hit set. In fact, his worry was my dreadlocks, he said my dreadlocks look too fresh, so if you look at my hair now, it’s looking a bit rough because my character starts out as a rough person before he cleans up. I think I’m beginning to open up to the marketers too. Like two, three marketers have called me, but unfortunately they call me at times when I have other jobs. Before, I wasn’t really willing to chase this whole movie thing because I wanted to do just one or two movies. I’m willing to work with marketers now and I have made it known to them, just to shoot and get the whole Nollywood experience.

Have you ever gotten a film script that requires you taking off your dreadlocks?

Yes, and I told them the only reason I [would ever] take off my dreadlocks is if [they] pay.

How much are we talking of?

I’m talking of millions because it took me three years and a whole lot of dedication and discipline and money to make my dreads look this different and unique. [If you] go abroad you see they pay artists a whole lot of money to shave their hair, to open their bodies and do some explicit things in movies. You’re not just going to make me cut off something that is part of my identity for regular pay. So, if you want me to take off my dreads then you have to pay up and I’m talking about millions. One thing it has done for me is that it gives me unique roles and helps me filter the amount of jobs I will do anyways.

Where’s your favorite vacation spot?

For some funny reason, even though Nigerians have colonized that place, I love London. I just love the feeling of the place. I think my favorite place in the US is Chicago but this year I want to experience Miami and Las Vegas. I love Cape Town in South Africa because every time I go there I never want to come back but work calls.

Are you dating right now?

I have made a resolution not to talk ever again about relationship status because it’s irrelevant, unnecessary and a distraction from what I actually do. I want my fans to focus on Uti the entertainer, not Uti the person. Unfortunately I’m not going to let them into Uti the person’s life, because I need my life. I give them all I have on TV, so that should be enough. I think where I made the mistake was ever talking about my relationship status, so I don’t want to give the impression that it’s okay for people to pry into my private life because it’s not okay. Your private life is really no one’s business. You should have a right to your private life and enjoy that privacy. Your private life and your family should be protected. I’m not going to tell anyone anything because on the spot you say it the person will start receiving mails and threats, harassment and all that, so it’s going to be very private from now on.

How do you feel when you read or hear negative things about yourself?

I don’t look at anything as negative because they didn’t say I’ve killed or eaten anybody. Have I done drugs? This country is full of hypocrites, and I think there are a lot of sad, depressed and bitter people that like to look for reasons why you shouldn’t have a good life, so, they bring some sort of impurity into what you‘re doing. For me it’s a distraction, because you know the truth and God knows the truth and that’s all that matters. I don’t know who is encouraging it. Our generation needs to learn to celebrate the few people they can celebrate; the older generation has failed us in so many ways, so now these new people are trying to project our image in the positive ways. You guys have already trained me to have tough skin, so there’s nothing they will do to me and it’s easier to accept when outsiders attack you than insiders. As long as you are doing well in your chosen profession and God is by your side that’s all that matters, so Nigerians need to sit down, rethink and decide to be positive.

So there’s actually not been a time that it has gotten to you?

No. I have never doubted my fame and success. I mean, it got to me once when it first started. Then I was a bit worried because I didn’t understand the industry. But later I just took it as part of my career and things people experience for being famous. Initially it was shocking, disturbing but later it became hilarious and funny so when I hear it I laugh. I keep telling people the industry is not for soft people, it’s for tight skin, that is, titanium.

Beside alternative rock, what other type of music do you listen to?

Oh, I listen to a lot of Techno, Dance and House music. I’m a huge fan of Mafiki Zolo. I love Nigerian music, don’t get me wrong, you will see me on chair dancing like a mad man in the club. Psquare, 2Face, and Flavour, are like the godfathers of their own genres of music, then when you come down to the new generation, I’m a shameless fan of Davido. Davido is like the young person’s album that I play and don’t skip; every time I go out, I play it well and I bounce in my car. And Tiwa Savage, I can’t stop being a fan of hers. I have always loved Goldie, I used to tell her ‘I love your videos and song, you’re different.’ I’m a fan of D’Prince, I like his music because it’s very eclectic, different. When it comes to rap in Nigeria, Chocolate City Boys, Jesse Jagz is my number one, and then M.I then Ice Prince, and I must surely do a song with Jesse Jags and I will love to work with Davido on a rock song because he has a husky voice and he would kill a rock song. I would love to work with Flavour and if Goldie was alive I would have love to and as far as females goes, Tiwa Savage definitely.

I know you were close to Goldie, what do you miss most about her?

I miss her heart, she was such a kind soul. Goldie was so sweet in person, that it was a direct opposite of what you saw in her music and videos. The first time I met her, I was like you are so much more beautiful in person, warm and she was laughing and since then we became close and no going back since then. She was just about to blow when this thing happened. When I went to the hospital I was so pained and we prayed and prayed and hoped for a miracle, for her to come back, but you really can’t dictate to God what you want, it’s his will that supersedes ours.

Finally, what’s the next step for you?

With me there’s never a project, there are projects, there’s a new thing in everything I d,o and I told you I’m about to hit set with Desmond. ‘Red Hot’ just premiered, it’s a Teco Benson movie and I played a male prostitute in that movie, I’m sure you’ll be interested in that one because there were some steamy scenes with Bukky Wright. It’s very interesting trust me!