Ebube Ukwuoma: Talented kid model, dancer, entertainer

Can we meet you?
My names are Ebube Lisa Kingsley Ukwuoma. I am eight years old. I am from Imo State, though I reside in Lagos. I am in Basic IV.

What do you do?
I sing, dance and model. I am also a kid actor, even though I am still a student.

How did you start all these?
It all started when I was four years old. I have always liked watching fashion programmes on TV, and wished to be like those slim models. But mum stopped me from watching them because she thought I didn’t like eating because of those models.

One day, I was watching Afro pop music on TV with mum and Yemi Alade came on singing and dancing to a song titled “Johnny.” From there, I picked interest in watching music. When I was five years old, my passion for music increased. One Saturday morning, while watching some kids dancing on TV, I told my mother I wanted to learn. At first, she did not pay attention to me, but when the disturbance became too much, she agreed to get me a ballet instructor, and that was how my dancing career started.

At age seven, I started developing interest in choir music and wanted to join the choir in my church. I told mum that I wanted to be part of the choristers, but because there’s only an adult choir in our church, mum got me a music instructor, who has been teaching me till date.

What are the challenges you have encountered so far?
So far, I don’t have any challenges because I enjoy every bit of what I do, especially when the passion is so high. It wasn’t that anybody talked me into doing what I do. I just love what I am doing and went for it. And having supportive parents has made it a lot easier than one can imagine.

How do you ensure that these activities do not affect your study?
I mostly do my rehearsals and shoots during weekends; so they don’t affect my studies. My education has never been affected by what I do; we always find a way to strike a balance.

Who are your role models?
My role models are Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage, Patoranking and Davido. They sing very well and they are influential in what they do.

Do you make money from all of this?
For now, I only do it for passion, which is very key to achieving success. I am following excellence, and I am sure that money will come after, though I was paid for the first movie I featured in.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I see myself doing great things in my musical career, such as dropping my own album and featuring my role models.

What is your advice to other kids?
To my fellow kids out there, I advise that once you discover that special talent in you, don’t let it die and don’t get discouraged. Keep pushing, as there’s no age limit to success. To our parents, I would like to tell them to please always support their kids. And rather than kill their dreams, they should guide them to achieve their goals.