‘Nollywood is for serious minded people’

Okechukwu Nwokorie, popularly known as Jazzy Okey, is a Nollywood actor, who today doubles as an entrepreneur. Married and blessed with kids, Jazzy in this interview throws light on his personal life, business and career.

What really influenced you into acting?
It’s basically the passion; I have always had this passion for acting and when I saw need to pursue it, I followed through.

If not acting, what would you have ventured into?
I would have still remained in business, even though I still shuttle it alongside acting today. It’s not been easy doing the both, but we thank God that they all evolve round what we like doing.

You recently ventured into gym business, what was the motivation?
I love health upkeep. It was due to the love of keeping fit that I thought of opening one that would meet to standard. With zero exaggeration, I think JT Gym is one of the best in the whole of Southeast region of Nigeria. We have standard machines, alongside professional trainers.  

How do you manage acting alongside your side business?
I have workers who are employed to handle the day-to-day business, while I drop in when time permits to check through how they are doing. It’s really not a difficult thing for me, as I try so hard not to let the two clash or suffer.

Have you ever regretted being an actor?
No! Why will I regret doing what I love? This is me doing what I love; I don’t regret it at all.

How do you manage admiration from ladies?
The admiration will always be there, but the most important thing is how one manages it. I try to draw limit to how I mingle; besides I’m a responsible married man with family.

Looking at how far your career had been, would you say you’ve achieved much?
It’s not like I have achieved much or to be where I have always envisioned to be. But so far, I give God the glory. At least, with the little I have achieved in life so far, I have great confidence that something more can still come.

In the next two years, where would your career be?
In the next two years? Wow, It will be multiple times what I have become now.

Who would you say you took after in the acting industry?
It’s really hard, but then I have someone, who had kept the inspiration and motivation going for me.

The person is no other than Yul Edochie; he is good. I love how real and friendly he is; he is a very natural actor. If you are his ardent follower, you will agree with me. So far, I’ve starred in a couple of movies with him. I love how he acts.

What’s your regret in life?
No regret for now, because I’m still living.

What’s your advise to young people coming into Nollywood?
They should be diligent and prayerful. Then, it’s important to discover purpose.

Let it not be that they are joining the movie industry because of the fame, rather they should ask themselves the real question, which is if they really have the talent for this.

It matters a lot, because when you have the talent, you will have the patience and passion to wait through, even when things are hard. Nollywood industry is for serious minded people.