interviews Brains & Beauty Juliet Ibrahim Exclusive Access We all know you as that gorgeous Ghanaian/Lebanese actress, talented film producer and musician. You are a modern day Jill-of-All-Trades, so with all that being said let’s share more about the amazing things you do! 40 41
How do you balance it all, being a mother, wife, actress, role model, etc.? By the grace of God I have been able to describe myself or call myself a “superwoman”. It’s not easy, but with the help of my wonderful mother I have been able to juggle it all. She takes care of my son whenever I have to be on the road. My husband is also a quite busy person so we are both always on the road. I actually do make time for my son whenever I’m in Ghana and not on a film set. He is so much fun to be around and every time I’m away I miss him so much. I also run a boutique in Accra, so when I’m not on set filming I am taking care of my business. What’s that one thing your fans would be extremely surprised to find out about you? The one thing would be the fact that I grew up singing in the choir for over 8yrs. A day in the life of Juliet includes...? Waking up in the morning to do my usual house chores, getting my son ready to drop him off to his grandmothers. I either head straight to a movie set to film or straight to my boutique in Osu. I typically go to a couple of meetings concerning my foundation, music career or my brand. After a long days work I head back home. Tell me about your charitable involvement and your foundation and what motivated you to start it? My foundation is a kidney cancer awareness organization. I had no idea how deadly kidney disease was until two of my distant aunts were diagnosed with kidney disease and currently live with the disease. One of my aunts had it because she was diabetic and the other had lupus. This made me become interested and I started doing my own research about kidneys and diseases related to the kidneys. Kidney cancer isn’t curable but preventable with common risk factors like smoking, obesity, diabetics, hypertension and so many others that are common within the African society. I thought why not educate my African brothers and sisters about such a deadly disease and help them focus on living a healthy lifestyle. The Juliet Ibrahim foundation also raises funds every now and then to help patients undergo kidney transplants as well as helping patients with the costs involved for dialysis treatments. Before the movies, travel and the lights, camera, action, what was Juliet up to? I was a model and a student at the Ghana Institute of Journalism where I studied marketing, advertising and PR. I was also running a posh beauty parlor in Osu and a modeling agency called the Dolfins Agency. I still run those businesses to date. Tell me about that exact moment you knew you were a star. I grew up watching so many celebrities in Hollywood and dreaming of being like them someday. My parents always used to buy me all the new music albums, just to keep me I grew up watching so many celebrities in Hollywood and dreaming of being like them someday updated. I was a huge Britney Spears and Celine Dion fan. I remember in the 7th grade we were told to write an essay on what we would like to be when we grow up and mine was about becoming an international model and musician. I didn’t have acting in my plans, although I acted a few times in senior high school and always been the shy type. I somehow stumbled on acting in 2004 after I won a beauty pageant and was crowned “Miss Ghana Institute of Languages” (Queen of languages). I went for the audition, got the role and the rest they say is history. However, I didn’t forget about my childhood passion though, I’m in the studio working on my album and I’ve released my first music single titled “celebrate” which features Jupita. What makes you stand out amongst all the other Nollywood and Gollywood actresses? I would say my charming personality most of all. Secondly, my unique accent which makes me standout amongst the rest. I grew up in the Ivory Coast (Cote D’ivoire) as well as Liberia and Lebanon. I went to elementary school in Lebanon for 2 years, hence my accent which most don’t seem to get…lol Lastly, my unique knock knees that come with my great curvy body shape. I always like to stand out among millions of people and I love my unique features that set me apart. I read somewhere that you speak Spanish and French. True or False? Yes I do speak some Spanish but not fluently. I do speak French fluently though. Acting is clearly your art. Your good at what you do and it shows. What do you do to prepare for a new film project? After I stumbled upon acting without any form of education in the field, I had to start my own research and studies. I have been able to read and get educated via online resources and several books. What I do I learn, ask questions and try as much as I can to put myself in the person’s position. I practice and become the character... prefer most is to get my script ahead of time. Once I’ve read the script and understood my character in the movie. I t’s easy. I then begin to research and start with people around me. If I happen to know someone who has been in a similar situation, I learn, ask questions and try as much as I can to put myself in the person’s position. I practice and become the character as long as the movie is being shot. When acting, you simply have to remember you are no longer “Juliet Ibrahim” but the character you’re playing. Young women look up to you, admire you and want to pursue acting, just like you. What advise do you have for that girl who doesn’t know where to start and wants to become an actress? If she has the talent and believes it’s her destiny she should go for it. I would say to attend auditions and don’t wait for the easy way out. No one can make you a star. In Gods own time, your determination and talent will make you the star you are destined to be. I was never discouraged when I started acting because after I did my first few movies I wasn’t getting movie calls for over a year until I left the Ghana film industry and headed over to Nollywood side where I was accepted and became star. After I blew in Nollywood, the same Ghanaian producers started calling me for jobs. Our destiny lies in our own hands and we lead your own path. Do you regret any of the many film roles you’ve done in the past? No. I am an actress therefore versatility is a part of my career. Are there things Juliet will not do or say on film? I am not quite sure as to what I wouldn’t say but I won’t go completely nude in a movie. You’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the business. If you had the opportunity to choose your co-star for a big budget comedy film, who would it be and why? I would choose two. Tyler Perry for a Hollywood co-star and for a Nollywood film actor I would choose Pete Edochie. I love Tyler Perry movies and having him as a part of my production I’m certain he would make it a wonderful movie. Pete Edochie is an awesome actor and I have plans of working with him. What was your absolute favorite city to film in? Haven’t visited my favorite city to film yet. That’s Las Vegas! 30+ films and counting! What’s next for Juliet? Any new projects in the works? I just completed my personal movie production called “The Number One Fan”. Since 2008 I have had several scripts and I’ve been wanting to shoot my personal movie but motherhood called. This year I have fulfilled my dreams and if all goes well I intend to bring a change to our movie industry. I also encourage movie investors because together we can change the industry and get better quality movies out there. I’m also working on my reality tv show and my music album. I have a couple of charity events coming up as well for the Juliet Ibrahim Foundation. Juliet it’s been more than fun getting to know you through research. What a pleasure! We here at <strong>Entertainment</strong> Africa appreciate your time and wish you nothing but continued success! 42 43
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