Actress Sophie Tchidi Chikere has declared that her private life is a no go area. The star of Goodbye Another Day told Stardom that her love life is private business and she wouldn't discus it: “No! That's a no go area because my private life must remain private. This is an interview and I have a right to say what I want to say and what not to say. Besides, my love life is a private issue and I don't want it on the internet.”

According to Sophie, while other women would hop at the opportunity of getting a break in Nollywood, she could be described as a reluctant star because her entry into Nollywood was not her decision but the result of mounting pressures from various movie makers, who saw her talent for the silver screen shining.

“I've been in Nollywood for five years now,” recalled the light-skinned actress. “I actually came into Nollywood through Tchidi Chikere. He's my godfather and mentor. He is the one that made me come into the industry because of the relationship I have with him. He encouraged me to come into the industry. He kept saying: 'why should I be chasing actresses around when I have someone as talented as you.' Like I said before, I seriously did not give it a thought. It did not come to my mind till I met Tchidi. Though some people invited me before he came along but I was not impressed or interested. It was Tchidi that talked me into it and I thank God it came out right. I did not want to act, but eventually I did Two Together and people were like wow! You're good. I was thrilled by the commendation and I said, 'Oh! I can do this. I just wanted to do more.”

Today, she has starred in a dozen movies, including Soul On Fire, Goodbye Another Day and Brighter Sun to mention a few of the not less than 20 flicks she has starred in.

However, she disclosed that her most challenging role was in Goodbye Another Day: “That role was challenging. I played the role of a house help. It's an epic movie. I was serving the king, but the king and the son where coming after me, so it was quite challenging because I had to come out from the normal roles I used to play to fit into that role and that was quite challenging. And we did a lot of shots in the bush, so I had a lot of cuts on my legs and hands due to the pushing and beating. Getting into the character was quite challenging for me. “

Childhood

Born in Umuahia, Sophie had her secondary school education in Enugu: “I grew up in Umuahia but I had my secondary school education in Enugu. Growing up was fun. I am from a family of nine sisters and a boy. I am the eight child of my family. My dad is late and my mum is a retired teacher. I grew up in a Christian family where there was a lot of prayer and church activities and this has gone a long way in shaping me positively. Enugu is Igbo land; a place where people believe in hard work and practice it, so I picked that trait from my childhood.”

Though born with a silver spoon, Sophie says she learnt to be hard working from her late dad: “Yes, I was born with a silver spoon. My dad was a car dealer. I grew up in a very rich family and had all I wanted as a child, though my parents made sure I was not a spoilt child. Before he died, my dad was very rich. My mum took over and we are still very comfortable to date. “

The undergraduate of Unilag disclosed that her family is very much down with her acting career: “They didn't take it hard. Like I told you, my dad is late but my mum is not backward. She's given me all the support I needed. At the beginning, she just said that I should know what is right and do what is right. As long as I did this and did not bring shame to my family, she would give me all her support.”
However, Sophie refused to disclose how much she got for her first movie in 2005 and how much she earns now because as she put it: 'It's too sensitive.”

If there's one person she was very close to, it was her dad. Speaking on the lessons he taught her, she said: “What I learnt from my dad is to struggle and be hard working. I started hustling when I was in Imo State University. I used to travel a lot to by stuff, which I later sold; I was travelling to England and America to buy stuff which I would later sell to my friends and make some money for myself. I learnt from my dad how to be hard working.”

Added glamour

As a spin-off of her love for fashion, today, Sophie has a boutique on the island, which she launched recently.

Speaking on the project, she said: “It's actually called Added Glamour and I just set it up. Aside movies, I travel to Italy, UK and America to by stuff. Most of my friends like the stuff I wear and would always want me to get for them, so I was like, 'I could act and still do business, wow! That realisation made me set up Added Glamour.”

According to her, Added Glamour is an urban fashion outfit that would cater for the fashion needs of anyone who loves fashion and enjoys looking good.

Describing what style means to her, she said: “For me, style is not what is in vogue, but what looks good on you when you step out. I believe in looking classy, sassy and sexy, so I try to reach people on that level. I also do corporate stuff. I advise my friends on what they should wear based on their shapes. I have a lot of clients from the industry. Added Glamour is a one-stop-shop for your fashion needs that would add glamour to your wardrobe.”

The light complexioned actress also spoke on how she handles overtures from men. She stated that as a beautiful woman, it's only natural for men to make passes at her.

“It's normal that one should get such advances from men but the point is, 'how do you handle it? There's a way you'll let them know that what they are asking for is: No, no, no. Besides, I am a very busy person. I don't even have time for that. I wouldn't really say I get a lot of attention from men because it's not my focus.”

Has she ever been a victim of sexual harassment?

“I haven't and I don really know about it. I don't think anybody has been harassed sexually in the industry as far as my knowledge goes.”