TVC E – Gorgeously looking pretty actress, Jennifer Igbinovia’s acting career took off after being invited by a friend to feature in an advert for telecommunications giant, MTN. For her efforts, she earned what she believed was an out of this world payment.
“My career started when a friend in Kaduna invited me for an advert that fitted my brief. When I got there, I discovered that it was an MTN advert. I was picked for the job. At the end of the day, I was paid N300, 000. That really made me to consider taking up a career in acting.”
That experience sealed her love for the world of make-believe, a romance that has seen her relocate to Lagos from her base in Kaduna.
Since moving to Lagos, Jennifer has seen her career blossom, with more and better quality scripts being thrown at her on daily basis by movie producers.
With her decision to pitch her tent with acting, Jennifer said she took further steps to hone her skills by going back to a movie school, where she said she honed her skills.
With her new experience in Lagos, the actress said there is a big difference between the two cities. “There is a huge difference. In Kaduna, the movies come in trickles, while in Lagos you have the hub of the entertainment industry, with more and better opportunities. It has been a roller coaster journey for me. I had roles handed to me on a platter of gold in Kaduna. But I didn’t feel challenged by those roles. However, Lagos is a different ball game for me. Here, you could have five people jostling for a single role. That is competition, and it is good for the industry.”
Jennifer, however denies the rumour that movie producers take advantage of actresses. According to her, “I believe that men harass ladies who don’t know their onions, and beg for roles. But I would rather audition and get my role on merit, than beg or do anything stupid.”
While insisting that she would never date a fellow artiste, her ideal man, Jennifer said must respect and love her.
“I cannot date a fellow artiste. I like to respect my work environment. I wouldn’t want any conflict of interests when it concerns my job.
“My ideal man is a man who respects and loves his woman. A man who is ready to tell you the truth no matter what it would cost him. Of course, he must have a sense of humour, and be romantic, because I love to laugh. That is my ideal man.”
On her plans for the future, Jennifer said: “I want to produce, and direct my own movie in the future. I have already started working towards that.”