‘We had no choice…we cried’ – Genevieve Nnaji Opens Up on Helping Mum Sell Things as a Child to Survive
Star Nollywood actress and mum of one, Genevieve Nnaji, 37, opened up on growing up and her tough childhood after her dad lost his job in a chat with Uzodinma Iweala for Ventures Africa. Read excerpts below.
On her childhood
“I was a tomboy. I had three brothers right behind me. My sisters were too busy with themselves – you know how elder sisters are. I played football on the street. I got into a fight with a neighbour of mine who was a boy and I beat him up. I was six years old. We were mates and he was fat. He definitely asked for it and he got it.”
On helping her mum sell things from when she was 12 and how it has influenced her
“She traded, she sold stuff, she got her children to sell stuff for her and we had to. We had no choice. We were living in her house. We cried. She did things you needed to do at that time. Your friends are not doing it. Why should you be the one to be doing it? You’re embarrassed about it, but I’m grateful for that because I think if I wasn’t even given that chance to be humble, I probably wouldn’t appreciate what I have today and understand that it doesn’t make me better than the next person. And [I] just know that everyone is equal and everyone is entitled to love and respect.”
Every stage in life has it’s lessons some of which we only appreciate when we are in the next stage
Thank God for your life
So many people didn’t have a rosy childhood. But today one can look back and smile about everything. It only gets better.
The most of us did too, so no big deal, its a part of living for some people but I like that she pointed out it taught her humility… that’s golden. Thumbs up Gene!
hmmmm true talk i love this lady any day anytime
Awwww
Is well
God dee
So true. And today she’s living large. If she doesn’t tell, you won’t know. A lesson for all
Nice one. Small beginnings
Everyone has a past some are sweet while some are sour but they are help us to be what we are today
Yeah
Nice
Such is life.
It’s so nice to live and tell this kinda story.
Everyone really have a story. Happy for u
Life
How nice; Nothing is indeed constant except change