My son’s dad cannot stand another man hugging and kissing me in movies – Ella Mensah

Ella Mensah is bold, hot and sexy. The pretty Ghanaian actress, who came into the make believe world in 2008, disclosed that although she would not go nude in a movie, she wouldn’t mind showing parts of her body. The mother of one, in this exclusive interview with www.angeladaviesblog.com, she speaks about her life, movie and family, among other issues.

Tell us more about yourself. what was growing up like?

I am Ella Mensah, a Ghanaian actress. I have been acting since 2008. However, I have been in Nigeria for a year now shooting movies and it has been fun. I grew up in an average home in Ghana. We didn’t have so much but at least my mum always gave me what I wanted. I grew up with my mum and I met with my dad when I was 19 years old; I am now 26. We clicked for like a year but that natural love was not there, so I couldn’t stay with him.

Why did you have to meet your dad at the age of 19?

You know parents, they will always have issues but I don’t judge them. There were reasons why what happened occurred. I don’t judge people; at least my mum brought me up. Look at where I am today, I have been blessed and I am doing alright. Both of them explained their own side of what happened but what is done is done.

Are you married or single? If not, when will the wedding bell toll between you and your baby’s daddy?

I am not married but I have a three and half year-old son. Wedding bells? I will say that we are cool but I am not dating him anymore because of some issues. Let me say we are on a different phase. He wants me to stop acting because he cannot stand another man hugging and kissing me in movies but I want someone who will love what I do. I am seeing someone else who understands and accepts what I do and loves me so much. I am enjoying my relationship with him.

What motivated you to go into acting?

For me, acting is a passion but I started off as a journalist. I have a Diploma in Mass Communication and Media Studies. After my attachment at Metro TV in Ghana, a friend of mine invited me for an audition. When we got there, one of the producers asked me to join in the auditioning. I just tried it and I was given one scene; my first movie ever is ‘Crime to Christ’ featuring Majid Michel and Nadia Buhari. I am happy to say that I love acting.

Why drop journalism for acting?

Journalism actually was my daddy’s idea. I wanted to please him but I realised that I had to go for what I want. It is good for parents to allow their children do what they want to. They can’t impose whatever career they want us to pursue on us; it is not right.

Who are those that motivate you in the industry?

 In Nigeria and Africa as a whole, I look up to Genevieve Nnaji. She has really done well for herself, I like her brand. After so many years, she still remains a household name in the industry. She has made me realise that acting is just like a road to open new branches. Acting is not just all about being in front of the camera; it also gives you a voice. Though I can’t be her, I’m a different person, Ella.

Sometimes new actresses complain of sexual harassment, have you ever been sexually harassed?

Sexual harassment happens everywhere but it is left for you to stand your ground. When you work hard towards something, you don’t have to give your body to get it. There are some producers and directors out there who would want to sleep with you, but if you know your worth and what you want, you won’t do it. I’ve never slept with anybody to get a role. I always go for auditions. There are so many nice ways to tell someone that the person is a fool without saying it directly.

As an actress who is expected to take up any role, are there roles you would reject?

Yes, there will be some roles I would reject like going nude. But I don’t mind showing part of my body in the name of acting. I have said this before and I will say it again that I can wear a bum short and singlet to reveal my thighs and also wear bikini when I am at the poolside in a movie. Going totally nude is something I will never do.

Of recent, a few up-and-coming actors and actresses said that without pornography, there’d be no Nollywood. What is your own opinion?

It is not true. I think that statement should be abolished. My own take is that they should not say without pornography there will be no Nollywood because there are so many moral stories we tell and can still tell. It is false. I am not encouraging pornography.

What is the naughtiest thing a fan has said or done to you?

I remember when I had an interview and I said I don’t mind showing certain part of my body in the name of acting. A fan on twitter said this actress is a fool. I didn’t take it personal because that is their own personal opinion but I tweeted back and I said we are individuals, we have our own personal opinions and beliefs in life. The truth is that fans sometimes watch your movie and they believe who you are in the movie is who you actually are in real life. They don’t know that we are just telling stories by depicting a certain character. We have our personal life once the tape stops rolling. I always tell fans that if you want to get to know someone, get close to the person before you judge or call them names.

How would you define your style?

Once in a while, I do vintage but I am very funky. I do whatever I like in terms of fashion. I believe fashion is an individual choice, so I wear what I think is nice and sexy on me. I love to dress funky.

If you have to flaunt any part of your body, which would that be?

 Maybe it’s my breast or my bum. As an African woman, these are the assets that are natural gifts so by God’s grace if you have them, you have to learn how to flaunt them. I wear clothes that bring out my shape as well as flaunt them.

What kind of outfit won’t you be caught wearing on a normal day?

On a normal day, I love to be free; I love wearing bump short and T-shirt inside my house or when I am in my car. I can also wear that from my house to a friend’s house or even when I am going to see my boyfriend. But when I am walking on the street on a normal day, I always make sure, at least, I cover myself so I wear trouser or slacks. What anybody will not see me wear on a normal day is a short on the street.

What is that fashion item you cannot leave home without?

I cannot go anywhere without my wristwatch. I can choose not to put on earrings or bangles but my watch must be on my wrist. I’m so addicted to wristwatch.

What would you say is your sexiest asset?

That will be my face because it is so perfect. I have a long nose, beautiful eyes and natural pink lips, even though I am wearing a red lipstick.

Do you have any celebrity crush?

Funny enough no, I don’t. Most of them are my friends, from Mike Ezuronye to John Dumelo. I just like them as friends but I have not had crush on any of them. But I remember that when I first came to Nigeria to shoot a movie, when I heard his song, I liked him and later found out that his name is Olamide. I don’t understand anything he spoke but I just love his song. I am funky so I like crazy dudes. But I won’t say it was a crush, I just liked him.

When stepping out for an event, what are the things you have at the back of your mind when dressing up?

It depends on the occasion. If I am going for a friend’s event or birthday party, I love to look hot so I wear outfits that are tight and short. If it is a red carpet event, I always love to wear a long gown that flatters my figure.

What kind of accessories do you love to wear?

Sometimes I wear costume but it depends on the dress. If I am wearing a tight dress from neck to down, the only thing I need is my wristwatch and some crazy rings. But if I am wearing a gown that is not covering my neck, I always put on chains. If I am wearing a jean trouser and singlet, I always put on bangles and other funky accessories.

What are some fashion blunders women make that annoys you?

I think we are all not perfect, personally I think I also make fashion blunders sometimes. But what annoys me is when going for a red carpet event and you wear an outfit to show your waist beads or bum. It irritates me. You can wear such things when you are going to the beach or a friend’s party at the poolside.

Has fame robbed you of anything?

Yes, you don’t have a private life anymore because it automatically becomes a public thing. People always speculate, insinuate, think you should do this or that. But they are not in your shoes, so they don’t really know how you feel. Also, sometimes people judge you based on the decisions you make, but they don’t know the options you had that made you take that particular decision.

What are the regrets?

No, I don’t have any regrets in life, be it good or bad. Everything that has happened to me, I am sure has a reason.

What are some of the movies you have done?

I have shot over 35 movies here in Nigeria alone within a year. I just finished shooting for Afriwood, Mnet 3. I have featured in movies like ‘Playboy’ featuring Majid Michel, ‘Excellency’, ‘Treated like a lady’, ‘Kukere babes’, ‘Born killers’, ‘Crazy chics’, ‘Witches in okoko’, ‘Couples on fire’, ‘Alingo babes’, among others.

What are your hobbies?

I love to dance, watch movies and I am always on the internet. I also ping.