CHINONSO YOUNG - The path to Divadom.

The Fruit Tree Magazine
Feb 27, 2017
7 min read

Updated: Sep 30, 2022

Tell us in 4 sentences about yourself and what you do for a living?

My full names are, Chinonso Ijeoma Grace Young Umesiobi, yes, Young is my surname. I am a driven, focused and creative woman. I love ‘LOVE’, music, dance, poetry and the Arts! My love for creativity is deeper than most people may think. Acting is just a fraction of what I am about when I am not filming. I make accessories and my love for African prints show that. I'm eccentric and Afrocentric - your urban Nubian sexy diva... Wink*

ON HER PERSONALITY

We know you sing and act, are these natural talents or you had some formal training?

Singing and acting has always been a huge part of me, and may I add, dancing. I only strive to be better at it and that in its self is an unending process. One has to keep evolving and getting better at anything you love to do and have the gift for,

Tell us how you manage challenges associated with being famous. Do people now treat you differently?

I would say the challenges I face being in the public eye can be overwhelming sometimes. People start to expect certain qualities from you. Being treated differently does have its good and bad sides but at the end of the day, you need to be true to who you are and grow with a positive approach to things that will in turn attract the right crowd and attention your way?

Describe your personality, what do you represent and stand for?

My personality is vast? And has its roots planted in the depths of my Eccentric nature ... Giggles*. I am family oriented, God oriented, I love good food, I love poetry, I love to dance? I love good music and I represent a confident, driven, focused, intelligent and sexy African Woman.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would that be?

Well, you see, I am wonderfully and fearfully made in the image of my Father. I wouldn't want to change a thing, coupled with the fact that God has given us the intellect to come up with mad workout routines too - for lack of a better word. “Panelbeat” our mortal physics to a fit state ... And the word "panelbeat" in this context, is to “Refine one’s self". Enough said... On a lighter note, I would really like to change the way my nails break from the middle, especially when I have talons on, I'm not vain I promise...

Tell us about some of the challenges you went through to get to this point in your career?

When it comes to what you love, you need to push yourself and understand that nothing good comes easy, you need to always commit your affairs into God’s hands ... He alone can direct you to the right path and making the right choices... The challenges I faced as an aspiring actor, had a lot to do with my mind. The way I perceived myself, my trust in God had to be stronger. My faith had to be backed up with actions, so each time I find myself in a tight corner, I sing praises. It's one thing to know God, it's another to experience him for yourself. I had to redirect my steps to God... I can't go on without mentioning how prayer and worship helped me a lot...

What was your most frustrating moment in your career and how did you overcome it?

As crazy as this may sound, I have had times when I had to walk long distances because I couldn't afford bus fare. I would deck up with my sneakers and walk to auditions, or to rehearsals.... Just to make sure I didn't waste that opportunity at the time... It was really frustrating at some point, but I have come a long way.

ON HER CAREER

What has been your biggest role in a movie and how challenging was it for you?

My-oh-my, biggest role? I can't say I have knocked of a huge role in a movie just yet... I have I have played challenging and emotional characters, like in the stage play I did in December of 2016. It had me in a melancholic state for days... Took me a lot to get out of that state... I played a woman who suffered emotional trauma at the hands of her in-laws, I had to cry and sing at the same time. To portray her, I had to plunge myself in deep sadness, I excluded myself from everyone few minutes to the show just to cry my heart out. That helped me stay really sad before the show started ...it was intense I must say... That's the most recent so far, I'm looking forward to playing more challenging and complicated roles in the near future.

Would you call acting a satisfying and lucrative profession?

Acting is not just satisfying for me? Its does assist when it comes to paying the bills but then, it's not my only means of lively hood. I love acting but I have to back it up with other things I love doing as well... There will come a time when acting will be dominant... Till then it's got siblings...

Would you say it’s harder being a female actress in Nollywood or does this come with its share of challenges?

It's not as difficult on both sides, you just need to put in work, network with the right people, have the right attitude towards work, and never doubt your ability to succeed. A lot of women are churning out films every now and then, that doesn’t mean it easier for them to make it than it is for the men. I just proves that whatever you set your heart and mind to do, you will accomplish. It shouldn't be a competition.

In view of your successes/ experience, what ‘bitter truth’ would you give to aspiring actors/ actresses?

Never neglect the act of learning and improving yourself, having the gift is one thing, knowing how to use it for your good is another. You need to read, explore, feed your mind with productive materials that will help you improve and get better at your craft, don't depend on your own understanding ... Gather information, research, learn more, there's no limit to what you can absorb. Grow!

The fans often view celebrity life as all glamorous and void of heartaches. Would you say this is true? Kindly give your reason.

Celebrities are workers just like everybody else, the only difference is that our work brings us to the eyes of everyone, making us public figures. This doesn't change the fact that we have blood flowing through us, or that we don't cry when the pain comes. Just like every other individual, we go through heartaches and painful child births, low funds, bloody cuts, you name it.

If Nollywood made a movie about your life, who would you pick to play your character?

If Nollywood made a movie about my life, na me go still play the lead, lol... Well I would nominate myself to play the role , then it would be real and people will see me for my true self, my imperfections , my woes, my flaws ... I would want to play the role so it's well depicted.

As a famous celebrity, do you ever feel pressured by fans and their expectation?

Oh yes, I do feel pressured sometimes. I keep me self-grounded ... My family helps with that too... I do my best and leave the rest ... You can't really satisfy people... It's in being yourself that people get to appreciate you more, so I stay true to myself and my fan. I try to be receptive and cordial as much as I can. And I leave the rest for God to take care of. He sure does, trust me.

What’s the one thing your fans do NOT know about you?

Hmmm, let me think for a minute. Well, my fans don't know I am a very good at improvising....if that's correct. Lol. I can improvise for the world... Just try me... Plus I'm taking lessons on speaking my native Language properly.

ON FAMILY/ Relationships

What’s your take on Marriage?

Marriage is the deepest form of commitment you make to a person. Getting married is an ultimate goal for a lot of people and society has put a stigma on people who don't get married at certain ages making the younger generation pressured to attain this "medal", this in turn, makes room for wrong decisions and early divorces. I would love to build a Family someday with my Man by my side as my Husband and I his Wife... But while in this period as that time draws near, I will work on myself, my mind, my body and my soul. Now, I want to imbibe values and learn new things. Love myself more, know God more, evolve and become an outstanding version of myself so that when that time comes, it will be a crowning of my attainments as I starting a whole new journey, as a Wife, a Mother, a nurturer, a Woman.

What comes first, your career or your family? How do you prioritize?

My Family usually comes first, then again I am happy to be blessed with a family such as mine. They are a huge support system for me, and keep me grounded. In those cases were I find myself having to make a choice between my work and family, I don't feel the pressure, because they understand too well the nature of my job being something I love to do.

Has being a celebrity affected your family life or relationships in anyway?

In some ways it has but I'm better for it. Relationships have had an interesting touch to my life and in a good way. Though it comes with its challenges, but like I said, I'm better for it.

What’s your idea of the ideal man, what qualities most he possess?

My ideal man; he must be kind, intelligent, focused, must have the God factor, family oriented, with a great sense of humour, funny, driven, sexy, in touch with reality. He doesn’t have to come rolling on a ball of cash because I know with our collaboration comes a wealthy explosion, if you know what I mean. He must have a vision, must be open to learn and teach ...Wink*

Do you sometimes wish you were not famous?

Yeah I do wish that sometimes.

ON Lighter Note

What was your most embarrassing moment as an actress?

One time, I was given the biggest "eshoo" in other words "elah", by my actor crush... I won’t tell you who... Lol. It was embarrassing.

If you could eliminate one odour, what would that be?

If I could I would eliminate “feet odour” like for ever!