How I Was Tricked Into Acting- Lydia Obute

Self described Nigerian-Austrian, Lydia Nnenna Obute made her big break as a 15 year old girl when she accompanied a friend to an ‘Elite Fashion Competition’ and made it to the finals on her first attempt. The actress and model later hugged limelight in 2011 when she became the first black woman to emerge winner of the Austria’s Next Top Model Competition. The talented thespian cum model who was born and raised in Baden, Austria opens up on her life and career in this interview with AHMED BOULOR.

How would you describe your entry into the world of modeling?

I would describe it as accidental; I was in school at the time and I was just 15 years old. A model came looking for my friend and she was looking really good. She was tall with blue eyes and I was wondering who she was. My friend later told me that they were both heading for an Elite Fashion Competition in Vienna, Austria and I thought it sounded interesting. My friend talked me into going to the event with them and I had to attend the competition wearing heels I borrowed from my sister’s friend for the first time. The event turned out to be an eye opening experience as I was involved in the thick of things and I got to the finals. That was five years ago.

Why are you in Nigeria?

I am in Nigeria because I am Nigerian and I am also here to complete some projects that I have in the pipeline. It is also more about family time as I use the opportunity to bond more with my family here in Nigeria.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Lydia Nnenna Obute from Enugu State though I was born and raised in Baden, Austria. I have been in the world and modeling for some time now.

What has been your impression since you arrived?

Like I said earlier, whenever I come home, I see it as an opportunity to bond more with my family. But I also look at the lives of fellow countrymen and I think some things need to change in the life of Nigerians especially our kids. I have also been having thoughts of connecting more especially with the kids and that is why I am embarking on a move to give goody bags to kids in some selected schools here in Nigeria. I find it disheartening when kids under the age of 10 cannot have access to good schools and it is something I personally don’t understand and I feel it is a trend that must stop. I am working on an initiative known as ‘Back To School’ where we dangle the carrot by making a goody bag available to any child that comes to school. It is something I am working on at the moment and activities will unfold soon concerning the project.

In 2011 you emerged winner of the Austria’s Next Top Model competition, becoming the first black lady to do so. What was the experience like?

I won the 3^rd Season of the modeling competition after being unsuccessful in the 1^st and 2^nd Seasons. After not doing well in the first two editions, I had to encourage myself to apply for the 3^rd Season not letting the disappointment I had in the past to hold me back. It is not like I was sure that I was going to win the 3^rd edition but I just wanted another bite at the cherry and I was shocked when I was announced as the winner- it never crossed my mind. I can’t find words to describe those moments; I have no clue of what to say. The feeling was indescribable and it is one I will live with for the rest of my life.

How did the experience impact your career?

It provided me with a thick skin and personal development also came with it too. I have been growing from stage to stage and level to level as it were. It also provided me with loads of confidence and me believing I can achieve anything that I set out to achieve. 

What has changed about you ever since you achieved that success?

I would say personally that I have not changed but you know change is the most constant thing in life. I am older now, wiser and more experienced. I am involved in more activities and projects unlike in the past.

What exactly have you been up to ever since you experienced that milestone achievement?

Like I pointed out earlier, I started modeling when I was very young and after I won the Austria’s Next Top Model Competition people really wanted to work with me. I got endorsements from various brands that noticed my presence at the time. I also decided to further my studies at the University of Greenwich in London. Going to London for me was also an opportunity to develop my modeling career because the industry in Austria is not as big as you have it in London. I am also learning a few tricks about acting in London too coupled with trying to further build my modeling career.

What has it been like as a black woman in a white dominated country like Austria?

It is part of those things that have made me thick skinned; I was the only black girl in high school back then. We later had two more black girls enrolled to our school and one of them is actually my best friend and she is from Kenya. I grew up knowing I was special because of my skin color; if I didn’t come to school in a day or two, my teachers will notice I am not around. I was also hot headed while in school but my parents did their best to calm me down whenever I had misgivings in school. I was made to feel special by my parents and that really helped to build my confidence.

Are you satisfied with all that you have achieved thus far?

No! I am such a critical person about my person; I don’t think I will ever be satisfied with what I have achieved thus far. I think there is room for improvement because I am still young.

As a young African, do you think African women are living their dreams?

I see a lot of African women not living their dreams because you know some women have resigned themselves to the fact that it is a man’s world. African women need to be in the forefront of things but our tradition sometimes limits the prospects of women. I was raised by a very strong woman and my mum means everything to me. She runs her own business and she is someone I look up to.

What influence did your mother have on your career?

To be honest, I have very typical Igbo parents; when I walked up to my mum telling her about my intention to become a model, she was concerned about my studies as she feared I would be distracted. I was really young then, we both later had a pact for me to finish school no matter what. But as long as I was still taking my studies serious my parents kept supporting me.

You seem to be a busy young African lady; do you have time for romance?

(Sighs) I am sorry I can’t answer that question now; I wouldn’t like to share my person life on the pages of a newspaper.

Do you plan to impact the modeling experience you gained abroad here in Nigeria?

Yes of course! I would like to contribute my quota towards the development of the modeling industry in Nigeria. I would like to work with more young Nigerian models in the near future so I can teach them new skills and in the world of modern modeling.

At what time in your life did you discover you could act?

My first role was a cinema movie role back in Austria and I was actually tricked into acting the role. My agent came up to me sometime and asked if I could sing or rap and I replied saying; ‘I know I am black but I can’t sing or rap’. He said there was no problem about that but a few days later, I was offered a script and I thought it was a script for a commercial or something because I had so much on my hands at the time. I was asked to sing while holding the script in my hands in what was supposed to be an audition and I sang to the best of my knowledge. But I instead, I got my agent and all that were present laughing. A few days later, I was told I had been handed a role to feature in the movie. I was surprised and even while on set, I still didn’t quite have an idea of what I was doing because I was learning the ropes for the first time. After delivering my lines, one of the female acting coaches talked to me about how I could develop the latent talent I had for acting. She told me more about what I had to do to develop my acting skills and as I was practicing my lines, I discovered acting could actually be so much fun.

You have featured in Austrian and German movies in the past; do you intend to partake in a Nigerian movie production sometime soon?

To be honest, I would like to feature in a Nollywood production but I don’t know what the future holds. I grew up watching Nollywood movies back in Austria and such movies really reminded me of home and my culture.

Which Nigerian actor or actress would you like to be on set with when the time comes to feature in a Nollywood movie?

That would be Genevieve Nnaji. I am a big fan of Genevieve and I would be glad to be on set with her; that would be a dream come true.

What other talents do you posses?

I enjoy writing poems and sketching when I am not engaged with acting or modeling. I derive joy from doing that when I am less busy.

You also recently applied to study Method Acting; how well has it improved your acting skills?

It has tremendously improved my acting skills and I wish I could talk to my acting teacher now. To be honest, when I started, it was nothing I expected. Though it is quite tough but I am getting along learning new things while I am in class. It has opened my eyes to the dynamic nature of the movie world.

What’s your impression about the fashion industry nay entertainment sector in Nigeria?

I think the Nigerian fashion industry is growing and most of us grew up admiring Nigerian fashion and fabrics. My mother especially wears a new outfit each time she goes to church and sometimes you just end up at home designing yourself because there is so much you can do with Nigerian fabrics. I think the Nigerian fashion industry is evolving and like I said earlier, I would like to contribute my quota towards developing the industry. The movie and music sector of the entertainment industry are also the biggest exporter of Nigerian culture and I am really impressed with the progress of the entertainment industry here in Nigeria.