Actor Chidi Mokeme tells ’NONYE
BEN-NWANKWO why he is back as the host of Gulder Ultimate Search Season
9 after a break of six years
Hosting GUS 9
I think it was an internal decision. I understand a public poll was held to
determine who should be the next host of the Gulder Ultimate Search event. They
listed the names of the past anchormen and the public was carried along to make
it more interactive.
At the end of the day, the result came out and my name
topped the list. When I was contacted, I didn’t hesitate to accept it. There was
no need to reject it simply because they decided to drop me after hosting the
first two editions of the show. In fact, I was privileged to have hosted season
one and two of the GUS. I always say that the show is not all about me. The show
is about the opportunities created by the Gulder brand for youths. It was the
responsibility of the organisers to determine what direction they want to take.
I was very happy when I was given another opportunity to anchor the show. I
waited all this while, hoping that it would happen. It eventually happened and I
am glad about it. So I couldn’t have felt bitter in any way.
My relationship
with Nigeria Breweries has been very cordial all the while. Apart from GUS, we
have done other things together. The organisers were at liberty to try out any
new thing they wanted to do.
Surprise package
I think will keep it a secret until the show begins. You have to wait and let
the show be unveiled. But I know it is a different ball game this season. We
know the show is going to be a lot more exciting this year than ever. GUS 9 has
broken many records already. No fewer than 30,000 people applied to participate
in the show. It is record breaking. It hasn’t happened before. So, I know it
will be different this year. You just have to sit down and watch it.
The contestants
Each of the contestants is a potential winner. They just have to go out there
and prove themselves. Any one of them can become a winner. It is possible for a
girl to win this time. Last year, a girl almost won. She was standing on the
treasure and she didn’t know it. Maybe she didn’t think it was possible and
right under her nose, somebody else came and took the treasure. That is the kind
of surprise we have to watch out for this year.
My new wife
I knew I just got married and here am I in the jungle. But I know my wife
will cope. She has been coping. I need to revive my romance with the jungle.
Even then, this is what I have signed up for. This is my routine and she knows
it. She appreciates what I do and she will cope. The days are long gone when I
appeared on TV just for appearance sake. If I need to be on TV, I need to do
something that is fulfilling, that would want you to wake up in the morning and
go to work. I choose the kind of things I do now. My wife is a ‘double’ doctor.
She is a Pharmacist and medical doctor. I say it with pride. Our careers are far
apart, but we understand each other. I knew she was the woman for me from the
moment I saw her. She never knew I was an actor. I met her four years ago. I met
her outside Nigeria. She is a Nigerian, but she is a American by birth. Marriage
happens when it wants to happen. It was time for me to get married and I got
married. Before now, I hadn’t the opportunity to get married. Maybe it was
because I had other things on my mind. It finally happened when it happened.
Selling sex toys
I am a model, I own a clothes line and a studio. Why are you interested in
the shop for sex toys? Only those who are interested in sex talk about sex toys.
Sex for me is something you keep behind closed doors. It is not something to be
discussed in public. I have not told you that I sell sex toys. So I cannot tell
you if I make money selling them.
Brand ambassador
I started as a model. My job was to represent brands. This brand
ambassadorship is becoming popular two decades after we have been involved in
it. It has caught on. Some of my colleagues are now being endorsed by one brand
or the other. I have my own fair share of the endorsement deal. I am brand
ambassador of a telecommunications company called Zodaphone. Many things are
happening underground. Things will reveal themselves in time. We have graduated
from modelling to endorsement. I am a brand and I do endorsements now.
My acting career
I don’t think I will quit acting. There is no retirement age when it comes to
acting. As the year goes, the opportunities available to you keep changing. I am
not going to quit acting. My principles have remained the same. The things that
inspired me to act in a movie haven’t changed. The story must be relevant. It
can be a story that I must relate and connect with. From that, I go to the crew.
I must know the people I am working with. If they are people I can work with,
then we are cool before we start talking about the fees. I am not expensive. It
depends on the project. You cannot put a limit on the arts. I can do a film
free-of-charge and I can do another for a billion naira. I have a production
outfit as well. I am sure as soon as we are out of the jungle, I will go back
and meet with my people. My parents gave me the opportunity to acquaint myself
with the whole of Nigeria. I had my primary education in the West, I had my
secondary education in the North and I had my tertiary education in the East. I
have always been a roving person. I will give my kids that opportunity to know
all parts of the world too. I understand Yoruba and I have appeared in a couple
of Yoruba movies. I also speak Hausa. Of course, I speak Igbo. If you pay me
now, I can speak any language.
Aspiration
We are going to keep aiming for the sky.
Culled: 247 Nigeria News Update
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