Thread: I did not have sex before marriage - Desmond Elliot

Star actor, Desmond Olusola Elliot, is a man of many parts. He has a Yoruba father, an Ibo mother, a wife from Akwa Ibom State and lived the early part of his life in the North. That explains why he speaks Nigeria’s three major languages. He is from a polygamous home, a graduate of Economics and one of the biggest names in Nollywood. He spoke with SAMUEL OLATUNJI on a Fred Amata set.

What will your trip to Germany be all about?

We will actually be going on a tour of seven countries: Belgium, Poland, Greece and others. We will be there for three weeks meeting Nigeria envoys abroad and our fans. It is just like a familiarization tour. I will be going with my wife and I know Nkiru Sylvanus will also be going along with some comedians and musicians.

So are you now the hottest thing in town?

What kind of question is that? I don’t know, I’m working.

You started not quite long and it’s as if the Desmond Elliot thing has been blown open. How does it feel?

It feels good to know that some people appreciate your work and I thank God for being appreciated.

Three years ago the handle of your car was held together with tape but now you have a nice jeep

That is a material thing as far as I’m concerned. I just want to have a nice life. So when I have the means to buy something better I would buy. Basically I’m not into material things.

You seem to be a smart guy. You now have a property in Ajah.

It is not a question of being smart. The point is that you know where you are coming from. I’ve always tried to be very focused. Marriage puts some form of responsibility and focus on you. I realised that I didn’t love paying rent all the time so the little money I was making I made sure I saved it. Who even told you I have built a house? I never publicised anything. I don’t know how the message got into town. By the way, I feel with the situations of things in this country, one has to try as much as possible to secure himself and make sure you have basic things like a house and car to move you around. I don’t want to pay rent for the rest of my life.

Could your being focused be attributed to the fact that you are married?

Yes, I will never take that away. The fact that I’m a Christian and married have made me more focused. There are so many wrong things that people find appealing but because I didn’t grow up being like that, it was not hard for me to avoid them. I’m not a perfect person but the point is I try as much as possible to be focused and live an examplenary life for people that are coming behind.

Where are you are coming from?

I’m coming from the land of nothing and God is helping me out.

You once said RMD taught you how to kiss but you seem to have mastered the act so well now...

Remember I told you I went for an acting course and he was one of our facilitators. He taught us so many things - acting, kissing and style. He did not bring a woman for me to practice kissing with.

So do you agree that you have really mastered the act?

I don’t know. Have I kissed you before?

People say marriage places some limitations on people; tell us about your own limitations

Yes it does, like you don’t talk to girls anyhow and you don’t go out anyhow. If you disgrace yourself outside, you are disgracing your spouse.

So you’ve not been talking to girls anyhow?

No I don’t. Or have you caught me talking to girls anyhow?

Before marriage, you looked like a real born-again Christian. Are you still born again?

Don’t I look like born again now? Ask the girls on set if I’m toasting them. When I finish shooting I go to my house and church to worship my God.

Is it true you were a virgin when you got married?

Yes it is true.

How did you survive the girls?

What you haven’t tasted you don’t know how it feels like. It was due to my Christian faith, really.

It is difficult to be a married man in Nigeria. How are you coping?

It is everywhere in the world not only Nigeria. I’m trying to be faithful and God is helping me.

We read your wife threatened to pack out of the house because of your roles with women in movies

I also saw that too in some papers but it is not true. We saw it and laughed.

How is your wife taking the fact that you are always on locations?

That is why I’m traveling abroad to take a rest.

Don’t you consider it stressful with the way you have to repeat a scene over and over again on set?

I saw other professions before venturing into acting so that is part of the prices I have to pay. The work is fun to me.

How far do you hope to go as an actor?

The sky is the starting point.

People say you are the new RMD

I don’t know about that. All I know is that I love the man and he is my mentor.

How is the money aspect for you?

Can’t complain, but it could be better. We hope that God will help us.

Any advice for up and coming actors?

Never give up hope. Once you have it in you, just build on it. Believe that God would lead you to opportunities. The best way is to believe in Gaod and never compromise that. God opens ways. He has done it in my life before and he could do it again.

Do you still remember those older actors who told you that you should forget about ever trying to act?

Yes.

Have you been on the same set with them and how does it feel?

I’m even shooting with one of them now.

How does your wife take the fact that you have the girls crawling all over you?

She knows that at the end of the day I am coming home to her.

Where do you hope to be in the next 10 years?

By the grace of God we shall be making great movies and I hope to get serious with politics. I intend to go into politics in the next dispensation.

So in 2015 you will contest?

By the grace of God. This is my country, why can’t we afford things here as some other elite nations? We should have low cost houses, accessible roads, we should create avenues for investors.

Do you think you have a chance?

We will get there; at least we have Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Do you think you have the leadership skill to lead a state like Lagos?

A leader is meant to serve. I’ve learnt patience and other things.

How have you been able to keep your marriage in an industry where divorce rate is very high?

Marriage has to be built on trust, conviction and having major respect for your spouse. Try to make your wife your friend. It is difficult but those are the simple things you have to learn. It wasn’t so difficult for me to blend into marriage because I had a long courtship with my wife. We are more like friends and couple.

Is she still working in the bank?

Yes she is

And is she still spiritual?

Man, her prayers worries me at night (laughter) but I know I cannot complain. It is for the best, for both of us.


Saturday, May 06, 2006
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