Actor Chidi Mokeme tells ’NONYE BEN-NWANKWO why he is back as the
host of Gulder Ultimate Search Season 9 after a break of six years
Hosting GUS 9
I think it was an internal decision. I understand a public poll was
held to determine who should be the next host of the Gulder Ultimate
Search event. They listed the names of the past anchormen and the public
was carried along to make it more interactive. At the end of the day,
the result came out and my name topped the list.
When I was contacted, I didn’t hesitate to accept it. There was no
need to reject it simply because they decided to drop me after hosting
the first two editions of the show. In fact, I was privileged to have
hosted season one and two of the GUS. I always say that the show is not
all about me.
The show is about the opportunities created by the Gulder brand for
youths. It was the responsibility of the organisers to determine what
direction they want to take. I was very happy when I was given another
opportunity to anchor the show. I waited all this while, hoping that it
would happen. It eventually happened and I am glad about it.
So I couldn’t have felt bitter in any way. My relationship with
Nigeria Breweries has been very cordial all the while. Apart from GUS,
we have done other things together. The organisers were at liberty to
try out any new thing they wanted to do.
Surprise package
I think will keep it a secret until the show begins. You have to wait
and let the show be unveiled. But I know it is a different ball game
this season. We know the show is going to be a lot more exciting this
year than ever. GUS 9 has broken many records already.
No fewer than 30,000 people applied to participate in the show. It is
record breaking. It hasn’t happened before. So, I know it will be
different this year. You just have to sit down and watch it.
The contestants
Each of the contestants is a potential winner. They just have to go
out there and prove themselves. Any one of them can become a winner. It
is possible for a girl to win this time. Last year, a girl almost won.
She was standing on the treasure and she didn’t know it.
Maybe she didn’t think it was possible and right under her nose,
somebody else came and took the treasure. That is the kind of surprise
we have to watch out for this year.
My new wife
I knew I just got married and here am I in the jungle. But I know my
wife will cope. She has been coping. I need to revive my romance with
the jungle. Even then, this is what I have signed up for.
This is my routine and she knows it. She appreciates what I do and
she will cope. The days are long gone when I appeared on TV just for
appearance sake. If I need to be on TV, I need to do something that is
fulfilling, that would want you to wake up in the morning and go to
work. I choose the kind of things I do now.
My wife is a ‘double’ doctor. She is a Pharmacist and medical doctor.
I say it with pride. Our careers are far apart, but we understand each
other. I knew she was the woman for me from the moment I saw her. She
never knew I was an actor. I met her four years ago.
I met her outside Nigeria. She is a Nigerian, but she is a American
by birth. Marriage happens when it wants to happen. It was time for me
to get married and I got married. Before now, I hadn’t the opportunity
to get married. Maybe it was because I had other things on my mind. It
finally happened when it happened.
Selling s*x toys
I am a model, I own a clothes line and a studio. Why are you
interested in the shop for sex toys? Only those who are interested in
sex talk about s*x toys. S*x for me is something you keep behind closed
doors. It is not something to be discussed in public. I have not told
you that I sell s*x toys. So I cannot tell you if I make money selling
them.
Brand ambassador
I started as a model. My job was to represent brands. This brand
ambassadorship is becoming popular two decades after we have been
involved in it. It has caught on. Some of my colleagues are now being
endorsed by one brand or the other. I have my own fair share of the
endorsement deal.
I am brand ambassador of a telecommunications company called
Zodaphone. Many things are happening underground. Things will reveal
themselves in time. We have graduated from modelling to endorsement. I
am a brand and I do endorsements now.
My acting career
I don’t think I will quit acting. There is no retirement age when it
comes to acting. As the year goes, the opportunities available to you
keep changing. I am not going to quit acting. My principles have
remained the same. The things that inspired me to act in a movie haven’t
changed.
The story must be relevant. It can be a story that I must relate and
connect with. From that, I go to the crew. I must know the people I am
working with. If they are people I can work with, then we are cool
before we start talking about the fees.
I am not expensive. It depends on the project. You cannot put a limit
on the arts. I can do a film free-of-charge and I can do another for a
billion naira. I have a production outfit as well. I am sure as soon as
we are out of the jungle, I will go back and meet with my people.
My parents gave me the opportunity to acquaint myself with the whole
of Nigeria. I had my primary education in the West, I had my secondary
education in the North and I had my tertiary education in the East. I
have always been a roving person. I will give my kids that opportunity
to know all parts of the world too. I understand Yoruba and I have
appeared in a couple of Yoruba movies. I also speak Hausa. Of course, I
speak Igbo. If you pay me now, I can speak any language.
–punchng
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