Born Nikoletta Samonas, but known to all her fans as ‘Nikki’, she is becoming a fast rising actress. She had a stint with Ghana’s movie industry a few years ago after she was given a minor role by Abdul Salam in ‘Beyonce.’ By then she was at the University Of Science and Technology. Later, she played lead in AA production’s ‘Pretty Queen’. With her performance and now getting major roles in movies like War of Roses, Desperate Measures, Deadly Obsession, Pretty Queen, Wrong line and Red Label, you will be glad to know that acting was never in her plans but to become a top-notch model.
Our Ghana Correspondent caught up with Nikki and she opened up on exclusive issues that we never knew. As friendly as always, she let us into her private life and what she has been doing aside been on set. The daughter of a Greek father and a Ghanaian mother told us that she does her work passionately and she feels that the sky is just the starting point for her.
She spoke on her recent modeling commercial shoots for the brand Chris Aire. What more could be more interesting during the interview to know about what really happened during the rumors of her acting ‘nude’ in front of cameras. She also spoke on the initiative to positively affect the lives of over 10,000 school children across Ghana with her NGO (Help Them Learn). This she said is a part of her efforts to give back to the society which contributed to her successful movie career.
YOU ARE NOW BECOMING THE NEXT BIGGEST ACTRESS IN GHANA, WHAT IS THE SECRET BEHIND IT?
I must say that I depend solely on God and that has been my trust and confident. I must say that I try as much as possible to be a good manager of time and I also give listening ears to my management team and together we soar higher.
IN THE INDUSTRY NOW, THERE ARE LOTS OF COMPETITIONS FOR LEAD ROLES. HOW CONSISTENT HAVE YOU BEEN TO KEEP YOUR ROLES COMING TO YOU?
As I said earlier on, I just try to maintain the rhythm of togetherness among my team. I have always known that if I keep on track with my professionalism, the sky is just the starting point for me.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN COMPARED TO ANY ACTRESS LOCALLY OR INTERNATIONALLY?
It is really great when I hear that people say that I look like Alicia Keys or recently that I look like Angelina Jolie, but I am just me – Nikki. I am still learning and I hope pretty soon, I shall get to the top.
NUDITY IS ONE FACTOR THAT IS EATING DEEP INTO THE MOVIE INDUSTRY NOW. HOW DO YOU SEE LADIES THAT GET THEMSELVES INTO THIS ACT TO GET ROLES?
I think that as matured persons, we should understand what we want and what is good for us as a people. The act of getting through something through nudity is just going to reduce one’s integrity as a lady. I feel that it isn’t right at this juncture to criticize anyone for whatever he or she feels is right with him or her.
THERE WERE TALKS AROUND TOWN THAT YOU WENT NUDE ON A PARTICULAR SET. HOW DID YOU TAKE THE WHOLE NEWS?
That movie was Deadly Obsession starring Jim Iyke. I didn’t go nude in the movie. Though, depending on your classification of the word ‘nude’. I am a decent young lady who will not for any amount stoop so low.
AMIDST YOUR FAST RISING IN THE MOVIE INDUSTRY, THE RECENT NOMINATION CATEGORIES FOR THE GHANA MOVIE AWARDS HAD YOU OMITTED. WILL YOU SAY THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF BIAS IN THERE?
If permitted to talk on this issue, then I will clearly say that I feel that the organizers did err a bit though. Looking at the nominations, certain persons aside from me who should be there weren’t there.
CAN YOU NAME SOME NAMES?
You definitely know that I am not permitted to that. I wasn’t there when the organizers thought of this and then I am just an actress doing my job, so I leave that to them to do. All I am saying is that I am fine by the whole nominations and I wish whoever win the best in all their endeavors.
YOU WERE NOMINATED RECENTLY IN NIGERIA BY A VERY POPULAR MEDIA HOUSE, HOW DID YOU FEEL?
The feeling is always great and I hope to win an award soonest.
DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PRODUCING OR DIRECTING A MOVIE OF YOUR OWN SOONEST?
Why not? I think I have the vision of producing my own movies soonest but as in directing, I don’t think so. I have learnt to do what I am good at and not get into what I am going to struggle with.
BECOMING A STAR COMES WITH A PRICE. WHAT IS ONE MAJOR PRICE YOU HAVE HAD TO PAY?
Privacy. Sometimes you really want to go somewhere or do something but it gets harder the more you think of who you are.
YOU ARE INTO MODELING TOO, AND WE HEARD THAT YOU LANDED YOURSELF A FAT ONE. LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
I started modeling long time ago. I did my first major work for telecommunication giant Tigo for 2years (2007-2009). I do a lot of commercial modeling. Recently I did a job for Chris Aire, the popular jewelry brand. It was amazing and a great feeling.
ASIDE ACTING, MODELING, WHAT ELSE TAKES YOUR TIME?
My NGO (Help Them Learn) takes my time too. I am now on a project to donate over 10,000 books and pencils to the over 200 districts in Ghana. It is a huge project that my team and I are really working our sleeves on making sure that we achieve this soonest and then get on board another project.
SO HOW IS THE WHOLE PROCESS GOING NOW?
It is really great seeing beautiful kids and their aspirations too. I have a strong believe in the future of this country so my team and I have taken it a point that we shall do our best and then see where this leads us all. We are ready and for a fact the whole experience is worth it.
AND YOU NEW TELEVISION PROGRAM, HOW MASSIVE IS IT GETTING ITS AUDIENCE?
The African Movie Review is doing just fine. It is one show that the turn out has been tremendously fascinating. The followership is nice and we hope to give our best and make sure that the fans appreciate what they are served with.
YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FRANK ARTHUS AND PRINCE DAVID OSEI IS VERY CORDIAL. YOU WANT TO TELL US WHAT WE DON’T KNOW?
Frank is one actor I clique with whenever I am on set with. He is very professional in his job. Prince is another great actor that I love working with. His level of professionalism has gone far and I think been on set with any of these actors gives me the knack to get better. They are professionals so it ends there.
WE HEAR YOU ARE INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH A VERY RICH MAN. CAN WE KNOW WHO HE IS?
My relationship is very private to me. All I can say is that he is a Nigerian and he lives in Abuja.
SO IN FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, WHERE DO WE SEE THE SLEEK NIKKI HEADING?
Well, I see myself going beyond where I am now. I really hope to see myself impacting the experience and exposure I have gathered in all fields to the next set of up coming actors and actresses. I wish for the success of all my endeavors.
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