Nigerian actor, Chimezie Imo in this exclusive interview shared his experience in the entertainment industry, including a transformative time on the Nigerian talent show, ‘The Next Movie Star Reality Show’, in 2014. He revealed how he felt when he won the Trailblazer Award, the challenges he faced in his acting career, and how he overcame them. The actor, who became more famous after starring in the popular movie ‘The Breath of Life’, clinched the Trailblazer Award at the recently held Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA).
He was nominated for Best Promising Young Actor in the 2020 Movie Academy Award, and nominated for The Future Awards Africa Prize for Acting in 2020. In 2023, he received another nomination for Best Actor in a Drama at the AMVCA Awards, before finally bagging one at the 2024 AMVCA Awards. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN brings excerpts.
Tell us about yourself, your educational background. I am a graduate of Applied Ecology from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. I am the fifth child of five children.
I hail from Orsu Local Government Area in Imo State. What was your experience like on the Nigerian talent show ‘The Next Movie Star Reality Show’ in 2014? Participating in the NMS reality TV show was my equivalent of film school, as I had no formal acting training. It was a transformative learning experience where I met many talented individuals.
The competition also helped me build confidence, as I was the smallest male contestant conside.