By Esther Egbe
Grace Edwin-Okon is a Delta born multi-talented actress, scriptwriter, film producer and author who has been in the entertainment industry since 1999 and she is well respected for her skills.
Grace Okon’s movies have won several awards with the likes of The Deadwood which won the 2014 AMVCA for (Best Documentary), Oblivious was nominated at the 2014 Africa International film festival (AFRIFF) and won the 2015 AMVCA for Best Short Film award.
Grace Edwin-Okon took part in the world of beauty pageants while she was still an undergraduate at the Delta State University where she won the Miss Face of DELSU pageant. She moved on to become the second runner-up in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) in 1999 and joined the movie industry after. In this recent chat with NET, she spoke about how she started and about her AMVCA 2015 award.
How long have you been in the movie industry?
I have been in the industry for 16 years now; it has been great and fruitful all the way. I don’t regret going into the industry.
How did your journey to the movie industry began?
I accompanied a friend for a casting in Zeb Ejiro‘s office and was asked to help her read the lines of the second character that was talking to her in the script. When I read the lines, he was impressed and he immediately offered me the role of the character I had read. I acted in a number of movies and soaps, and later on went behind the scenes to start writing and producing.
What influenced you into movie industry?
I love the movie industry and the creative industry.
What is your role in the industry?
I see myself as a positive change agent; I try to impact lives through acting, writing and producing movies.
How do you relax?
I watch movies. I listen to good music, and read a lot books.
What kind of music do you listen to?
I listen to mostly gospel music.
Who are your competitions?
I am my own competition; I always do my best to make sure each of my productions can compete with the other.
How does it feel like to be famous and how do you handle it?
It feels good to be famous especially when it opens more doors of opportunities. I handle it by being grounded.
What’s your lifestyle like?
Presently my lifestyle is almost like that of a workaholic. I am gradually trying my best to make room for leisure.
Are you married?
I am married to Alex Okon. No kids yet.
How do you manage your home and your career?
I involve my husband in all my activities, from the script to the screen and also to events. Though he may not be with me all the time while I am working but he is always abreast of my activities and it helps give a semblance of a balance between my home front and my career.
Tell us about your career?
My career has been stressful but at the same time rewarding. I have had many disappointments and many blessings from my career. I am still pushing and striving to get to the pinnacle of Nollywood and in the near future get into the global sphere of film making.
What did you get involved with before the movie industry?
The journey started in the world of beauty pageants while still an undergraduate at the Delta State University where I won the Miss Face of DELSU pageant. I moved on to become the second runner-up in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) in 1999.A graduate of English Language, I have featured in several movies and soap operas amongst which are: Tears in Heaven, Extreme Measures, My Dream, Prodigal Brother, Candle Light, Doctors’ Quarters, Heavy Beauty.
