The Ghanaian film industry seems to be growing in size by the day with unsullied faces. While many are quick to criticize the industry for the congest of unprofessional people and certain talentless individuals, some see the good in the industry and can easily identify a sect of young, talented and hardworking new players in the industry who may be what we call the real deals. One of such talented newcomers or “real deals” in the industry today is Christabel Ekeh.
Born about 22 years ago by a Ghanaian mother and Nigerian father, this beauty has not only made inroads within this short period in the acting industry but also in the beauty pageantry world.
Christabel Ekeh was the first Runner-up of Miss Malaika 2008. As a student at the University of Ghana, she juggles between school work and her two passions, acting and modeling with much ease.
For a couple of years, all she got were small movie roles but that did not stop her from pursuing her dreams of becoming one of Africa’s finest.
Christabel has proven to be unwavering and a breath of fresh air in the movie industry . She has successfully worked her way through extras to becoming a lead. Evidently, she keeps rising as an actress and a model.
As a model she has been featured in some major photography , commercials and music videos.
Her most popular stints in the movie industry till date are her roles “ Efia” in College Girls and “Kafui” in Shirley Frimpong Manso’s investigative series, “Peep”. She has starred in movies such as Waist Beads, Wrong Target, Ladies with Wings, Corporate Love and many others.
She has starred alongside big names like Prince David Osei , Kofi Adjorlolo, Jackie Appiah, John Dumelo, Yvonne Nelson, Yul Edochie among many others.
Where many have failed she has succeeded and she still strives to define her success.
Before GhanaCelebrities. Com caught up with her for this exclusive, we had already formed this notion of her: gracious, stunning , intelligent and well-mannered and she proved to be that and more. We hope Ghanacelebrities.Com readers will feel the same too.
Read below for our exclusive chit chat with Christabel Ekeh…
GhanaCelebrities.Com: You were in a past beauty pageant (Miss Malaika) as a contestant, tell us how the experience shaped you and how you were able to move from beauty pageant to movies…
Christabel Ekeh: In fact I like the word “shape”. First of all I entered the pageant not only with the aim of clinching the title or crown. It was my intention to learn as much and as fast as I could because I am one who believes ardently in learning. Before entering the pageant I had a thing for movies. I didn’t just see the pageant as a competition but as a learning ground. So I took every step or phase of the competition seriously and imbibed much knowledge as I could.
When I joined Miss Malaika, I was very young, 17 to be precise and about to graduate from S.H.S. See, I am the first of three children so I don’t have any elder sister to learn from or trail after, which is in fact a good thing in a way because really I am not leaving in anybody’s shadow (laughs) but the down side is that there wasn’t any one to learn from or teach me the ropes.
The pageant really exposed me to the world and taught me to really fight hard for my dreams. It gave me the necessary confidence to strive beyond competition in any industry. It improved my modeling skills, articulation and a lot more. In a nutshell, I gathered all my positive experiences from the pageant and intelligence skills. And after the pageant I knew I wanted to act so here I am pursuing my dream. So yes, I have been well shaped.
GhanaCelebrities.Com: Let’s delve a little bit into acting? How did it start for you?
Christabel Ekeh: I started acting in St. Mary’s Senior High School, my alma mater organizing plays as I was the entertainment prefect at the time. And I had interest in literature. I always won the best literature awards in school so after the pageant, it was just right for me to pursue my dreams.
I started with auditions and I went to all the production houses in Accra. Back then it looked like it was a long walk to success but every step I took brought me closer to realizing my dreams. From one role to another and to another and here I am.
GhanaCelebrities.Com: Many people have this impression that once you become a star or a public figure then the move into any other industry becomes easy. How has it been for you and would you say it has been an easy ride for you in the movie industry?
Christabel Ekeh: Being a public figure or a star means you are a great success in something you do but that does not necessarily mean that you can be popular in another industry. Every industry has its rules and it applies to the movie industry as well.
A lot of beauty queens have ventured into this industry and only a few have made it. When I came into the movie industry I was determined to learn the trade, persevere and even more so make it to the top. So I refused to let beauty queen get into my head and rest on my laurels or throw my weight around but rather use what I gathered from the pageant to move forward. My experience from the pageant played a vital role but it wasn’t an easy ride, as I started from scratch, auditions, and movie roles and with God I got here.
GhanaCelebrities.Com: You are in Shirley Frimpong –Manso’s investigative Series, Peep? Tell us about how you landed the role? And what drew you to the character?
Christabel Ekeh: I have always wanted to work with Shirley but I was waiting for that opportune time. I had a call one day and I was invited for an audition. After a couple of auditions I landed the role “ Kafui”, an investigative reporter.
And I had never played anything like that so it was interesting and refreshing for me . The series was very different so it felt really exciting. I wanted to give off my best. Don’t get me wrong that does not mean I don’t give off all my best with the other roles I am given because really given my very best is my hallmark.
GhanaCelebrities.Com: What do you look for in accepting a role in any movie or series?
Christabel Ekeh: I always look out for a good story because the story is everything to me. And most importantly my role has to be very pertinent to the plot. I need to know the other cast members, create some chemistry or jell with them before we start shooting . The crew is important as well and most importantly the director. Hey, not to say money doesn’t count (laughs)because it does.
GhanaCelebrities.Com: What are your greatest passion and fears?
Christabel Ekeh: My greatest passion is what I do. I have so much fate and belief in my job. It is my greatest hope that I achieve something great in this industry here and beyond. That I achieve in this industry what no one imagined an African could ever do. My fears, my fears… do I have fears Oh I fear just one thing, and that is God. I fear God.
GhanaCelebrities. Com: You seem be a very Godly person because I keep hearing God in most of your statements. Would you say you are a spiritual person or a religious person?
Christabel Ekeh: hmm, I must say I try to be spiritual and religious at the same time. So I would say I am a little of both. The most important thing is I love God.
GhanaCelebrities.Com: You are into modeling as well; I would like to ask one spare of the moment question, which one do you enjoy most-acting or modeling?
Christabel Ekeh: Well, they are both very interesting jobs, quite similar in some ways, like in modeling you sometimes act in commercials and in acting there’s some modeling. Yeah, there are both similar, you need both in poster shots, photo shoots, red carpet appearances and a lot more but sometimes I like acting because it is deeper than what we see on the surface. It requires more skills and challenges me more. Nevertheless I enjoy being in both worlds.
GhanaCelebrities.Com: As a fast rising Ghanaian actress, where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Christabel Ekeh: Three years ago, when asked the same question, I said the best of me is yet to come. And now with where I am I still believe the best of me is yet to come.
GhanaCelebrities.Com: You have worked with several Ghanaian movie stars and film-makers. Which movie stars and film-makers have you enjoyed working with most and why?