Acting doesn’t pay my bills-Enoho Peggy

Posted by admin Arts/Culture & Entertainment, Headlines, Nollywood (Film Industry) Friday, November 15th, 2013

Enoho Ovire Peggy is a two-time beauty queen. She was Miss Galaxy International Nigeria in 2007 and also Miss Delta Tourism. She is not stopping at that. Recently, she joined Nollywood and her first movie is Best of Enemies. A woman of many parts, she has also delved into business and she retails clothes through her clothing outlet called Hubs Couture. A graduate of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma where she studied Banking and Finance, Peggy could best be described as beauty plus brain. Vivian Onyebukwa engaged her in a chat and she talked about her passion for fashion, acting and other issues.

How did you get into boutique business?

I have always loved fashion. I can simply describe myself as a fashion icon

What kind of clothes do you like to stock?

Unique clothes because my brand is unique and I deal in trendy outfits

Where do you buy them from?

United Kingdom, France, China, and Brazil

What was growing up like?

I had a strict father who made sure I took the right path. I had to retire to bed as early as 7pm and wake up early for the next day’s activities, wash plates, sweep before setting out for school. I was brought up to be a hardworking lady.

Has your growing up shaped your life in anyway?

My growing up has shaped my life a lot! I learnt to be hardworking knowing that nothing comes easily but through determination and hard work

What advice did your parents give you while growing up?

My dad always told me to pray and work hard, be motivated and should not let anyone tell me I can’t do it just because they can’t

How has your life in the movie industry been?

It has not been too rosy but fun, and since it is a profession that I am passionate about, I take it all in my strides

Who are your icons in movie industry?

Nkem Owor, Rita Dominic and Mercy Johnson

What is the attraction for you in the industry?

I know it could sound like a cliche but I have always dreamt of being an actress even as a child, so when the opportunity presented it- self, I jumped at it.

You recently marked your birthday with orphans, why?

It has been a fad for celebrities to visit the orphanage during their birthdays but mine is different because I am in a position to understand how it feels not to have a mother by one’s side as you grow up, because I grew up without my mum who passed away when I was a baby. So, to see kids smile and dance with me was a thing of joy to me.

What inspired you into acting?

I have been passionate about being an actress all my life, so when the opportunity presented itself, I jumped at it. Great actors and actresses such as Nkem Owoh, Ngozi Ezeonu, Mercy Johnson, Angelina Jolie to mention but a few inspire me a lot.

Which one is your first movie and how much were you paid?

My first movie was Best of Enemies. Acting doesn’t pay my bills for now because I am also into business. I own a fashion outlet in Ikota shopping complex called Hubs Couture. I did not do it for the money per se, I did it because it is something that I am passionate about.

How has winning Miss Galaxy impacted your life?

Winning Miss Galaxy changed my perspective about life, it helped me to be more co-ordinated, got a wider view about life. It has impacted on my life positively. I leveraged on the crown to achieve greater heights, which includes being the face of top Nigerian and international brands such as Bacchus Tonic Wine, featuring in Nollywood movies. My first being Best of Enemies, and running my boutique among others.

What gave you an edge over others?

I would say, God, confidence, beauty and brain. I added the God factor because a lot of beautiful ladies contested with me, but the will of God supersedes everything in life.

What were your most memorable moments while growing up?

I would say Christmas period, because we all had to travel to my village in Delta State, which was a breath of fresh air, a time when the extended family from all over the world returned home, it was at time of pure love and joy, coupled with the fact that I had no responsibility and Nigeria was a saner clime.

Did you have any pet project during your reign?

My pet project during my reign was Help For The African Child, where I visited children lacking in rural areas and supplied them items, food especially. You would be amazed at how happy a N20 pack of biscuit can make a hungry child. I still run my project but on a low key. I would be inviting you soon to my next project which is billed for next year.

Is acting paying your bills or are you into other things?

Acting is not paying the bills yet, but as a resilient young lady, I run another business that augments my income. As I mentioned earlier, I own a boutique called Hubs Couture in Lagos

Who influenced you early in life?

I know most people would say their mothers, but since mine passed away early, I would say God and my dad have always been the greatest influence in my life. In addition, there are people I admired then that made me toe some certain lines, people like Liz Benson. Funnily enough, I used to love the late Lady Diana.

What has been a celebrity robbed you?

Being a celebrity has not really stopped me from doing things I love to do. I still go out sometimes with my good old friends when I am not working. I invite them to red carpet events, we hang out at cinema and other fun places as well.

What’s life like as a beauty queen?

Life as a beauty queen, like every other thing in life, has its advantages and disadvantages. The most important advantage is that it opens doors. As a young girl, you’d have access to people, and at that point, you devise a means to leverage on this opportunity. The disadvantage is that most people just assumed that you are dumb, forgetting that it takes beauty and brain to win a crown

What are your life challenges?

I would say of all my challenges, the only one that got to me the most is losing my mum at a very tender age, but against all odds, God came through for me.

What keeps you going?

God and my family, my father in particular. He is my rock.

What are some of your life experiences?

Winning my first pageant unexpectedly, seeing so many helpless children during my reign and afterwards helping them to the best of my ability. Friends that turned to enemies and strangers that became my best friends. If I share all my life experiences with you in this interview, you would not have anywhere to put other stories. But the most important thing is the grace to be resilientwp_posts