Like a thunderbolt from nowhere, Ndidi Obi became a celebrity after playing Nneka, in the movie Pretty Serpent. In this interview with IFECHI OKOH, she speaks on how the flick changed her fortunes and sexual harassment in Nollywood among other issues. Enjoy:

What's your background like?

My name is Ndidi Obi. I come from Akama Oghe, in Ezeagu Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State. I am the second child and first daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Obi. I attended St. Theresa's Primary School, Enugu, Marine Beach Secondary School, Apapa - Lagos. I had my university education in Enugu and University of Lagos (UNILAG) where I graduated in Banking and Finance.

What was your childhood fantasy and why?

From the onset, Ndidi Obi had always loved to be in the limelight. When I was in the primary school, I took part in concerts. Since then, I have developed interest in related social activities like beauty pageant, acting and dancing competition. My craving to be in the limelight dates back to my primary school days. It may interest you or anybody to know and note that I began my acting career from modeling. When I was young, I loved anything that was tilted towards entertainment, fashion and anything along these lines. Luckily for me and my brothers, my mother does not joke with our clothing. She was there for us as we were growing. There has been nothing I did without having entertainment at the back of my mind. It has been the case and will remain so. When I was young, I loved music and musicians, especially the top foreign stars like late Michael Jackson.

Is what you are doing today a fulfillment of your childhood fantasy?

Oh yes! A sort of!!

Before The Pretty Serpent, what were you into?

Before Nneka, the Pretty Serpent, I had been into modeling and surviving well on it. I started this while in school combining it effectively with the demands of schooling. I continued during my university days. I did a lot of modeling for calendars and television. Till date, I am still neck deep into it.

Did The Pretty Serpent which gave you the face and position in Nollywood boost your business after the production?

Oh yes! Naturally it did because after Nneka, the pretty serpent, anywhere I went people started to link me with the character Nneka, the pretty serpent. This, as a result brought me into focus, especially in the modeling industry. Somehow, it actually gave me more jobs.

Was sexual harassment rampant in Nollywood when you took part in The pretty serpent?

Sexual harassment then? I started hearing of it years after I had shot Nneka, the pretty serpent. It was either you are suitable for a part or not. We were all working on merit. Even if you have been selected as a member of the cast for a week or two ago and you have just been discovered not to be good enough, you will be replaced. I mean there was nothing you got then through sexual relationship or union. Before you join the cast for any production, you must be thoroughly auditioned by committed professional directors who cannot substitute anything for professionalism. It was interesting and impressive. I started hearing and reading about sexual harassment after I did Nneka. Since then too, I have been reading about it. I never experienced it or heard anybody mention my name in connection with one illicit affair or another.

What do you suggest should be done to those allegedly involved, investigated and found guilty?

I want to sound it here that anybody in this Nollywood business is no longer a kid. I must confess that I don't know if anybody is involved. Anyone who is old enough to come into Nollywood is not a child anymore and as such he or she should know what is good enough for him or her. If someone is approaching you sexually to give you a role, it is left for you to embrace or shun such approach because at the level you are, you are supposed to know what is good for you; I mean what you want in life without thinking or asking for immediate gains or otherwise. I am sure nobody has a right to compel any lady to go into sexual relationship before she is given a role. If there is any case or otherwise, I believe both parties are old enough to know what they stand to gain by concurring to go into sexual union of any sort. After all, they are adults who could choose to consent, especially if such action pays them at that point in time.

What qualities do you go for in a man?

Qualities I go for in a man are personal things. But generally, I go for a God fearing man. He must also have a good heart. This is against the backdrop that women are naturally the softer gender and this should be shown and appreciated by every man who has the quality I expect in a man, although, these should be complimented by good looks. But qualities, I strongly believe should go beyond good looks of a man.

What part of your body do you honestly see as the sexiest and why?

There is no special place. Every part of my body is beautiful and sexy. They all have their functions in their own way. I see every part of my body as pretty. I mean from the crown of my head to the sole of my feet. This is so because it is natural that not everybody looking at my body looks at it from one perspective. It is certain that not everybody who sees my face will go for it. The same for other parts of my body; some will jump at my hip; others would go for my buttocks, etc. However, one thing is clear; they all belong to Ndidi Obi, making her the complete piece of God's careful creation.

How do you take the expressed infatuation of fans which most times tend to be embarrassing?

Of course yes. They have done that to me in different ways and at different times too. These are spontaneous reactions of my fans that love me and are perhaps swept off their feet on sighting me physically. Each time, they usually ask me for a photograph, handshake, phone number, etc. I consider myself lucky as a result of being appreciated by them. If they don't talk about you, nobody knows or appreciates you. After all, there are a thousand and one other women on the street, walking alone and nobody gives a damn about them. This simply shows you are not making any impact. Without these fans, there will be no showbiz celebrities. They are your gauge confirming that you have actually touched lives. Without them, honestly, you are nobody as the mega star you thought you are.

What can lure you into acting nude?

There is nothing on earth that can lure me to acting nude. To start with, it is debasing to womanhood and moreover, it is un-African. I strongly believe that there is no self respecting woman that can accept such role no matter how alluring the money attached to it may be.

What is the headache of being famous?

The usual and initial constraint of self denials as a result of being famous. You can't be seen in certain places to avoid sending the wrong signals. For instance, joining public transport or eating in a roadside canteen, etc. It is disturbing and a pity too that only the famous in the society are made to pay such expensive price.

What's your advice to persons aspiring to be actors and actresses?

First and foremost, they should be genuinely interested in theatre and dramatic arts. That is, anything that has to do with acting, production and directing. They should submit themselves to learning with a view to becoming a consummate theatre practitioner through the formal or informal acquisition of the knowledge. They should also take time to choose their role models because the result of a wrong choice may not be funny. Above all, they should be hardworking, humble and submissive to those packaging them for their future career. It could be during on-the-job training or in the university.