Veteran Actress, Grace Ama, On Her Life As A Single Mom & Finding Love Again

There’s no doubt it takes a lot of strength and courage to raise kids as a single mom. Being a single mom isn’t easy, but it is very do-able. There is no doubt that multi-talented actress and single mom, Grace Ama, is a super strong woman. Since her marriage which produced a child ended abruptly some years back, Grace has put her career and love life on a low key but now she is saying she’s ready to give love a chance again.

In a chat with Rita Okoye of Sun News, the Ebonyi state-born star who welcomed her son, Samuel, in 2011, opens up on life as a single mum, her love life, her new movie ‘It’s A Crazy World’, and many more.

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Read excerpts below…

How has it been juggling acting and motherhood? Is your son always with you on set?

Coincidentally, my son joined me today because it is mid-term break. I have a house help and my mum is also available. He stays with them when I am on set.

Would you love him to be an actor?

That will be dependent on him; it is his choice. I have gotten several offers for him to act as my son in movies. I wouldn’t want to force him into anything he wouldn’t want to do. I don’t see him in that light anyway. Someone will definitely take after one you know, maybe, one of the children to come will take after me (laughter).

You said ‘maybe one of the children to come will take after you.’ When are they coming?

I have always been a low key person in terms of my relationship. I don’t put my relationship on social media. I don’t think it is ideal considering the industry I find myself in. It is better to stay out of it and be safe. For the wedding bells, I will send the invitation when the time comes.

What has being a single parent made you discover about yourself?

I have always been strong but it made me a stronger person. It made me see life from a different point of view. Years back I could throw caution to the wind at the snap of a finger but today, I can’t do that.

There are times I want to take some decisions but when I think of the fact that I am now a mother and I have someone who is looking up to me, I tend to have a rethink. Single-parenthood has taught me a lot. It is still teaching me, I am still learning and putting in my best to be a better person and mother.

Have you given up on love?

Why should I give up on love? You don’t particularly rule out things just because a particular step you took wasn’t the right one or didn’t favour you. I love to love and whatever has happened hasn’t taken love away from me. It has not, to be honest with you.

How long did it take you to come to this realisation that you weren’t allowing the experience you had hurt you?

Don’t let me go into details because whatever happened wasn’t like things went bad. The only thing is that we didn’t get to walk down the aisle. At the right time, what will play out will play out in terms of marriage.

What is that one thing you are most proud of about yourself?

The fact that I have a son, a handsome son at that (laughter).

What is responsible for your youthfulness?

To be honest, I don’t have any regimen. God has been awesome! I am not into the ‘this-is-what-I-do-when-I-wake-up-the-morning’ thing. I am not a makeup person either. I tend to go natural as often as possible.

When you see me outside when I am not shooting, I am just myself, the way God created me except that I have clothes on. It has just been God all the way. People ask me this question a lot I must confess. However, let me state that I neither drink nor smoke and I stay away from things that will make me age.

Can you tell us about your role in the series, It’s A Crazy World?

I am playing the character of Kemi, the second wife of Chief Don Chucks and it has been fun all the way. The script has a lot of content and comic relief as well. It has been sweet with the research I have put into the character. I just want to play it so well. The character I am playing is a Yoruba lady who goes all the way to get what she wants.

How has it been for you playing the role of a Yoruba lady?

I am not Yoruba but Igbo. However, I was born and brought up in Lagos. Like I said a couple of days back, I am surprised I am flowing this much with Yoruba on set; its been great!

What has it like coming back into the industry after such a long break?

Coming back into the industry wasn’t easy but the good thing is that we have evolved and now we are interpreting roles differently. My fans are excited to have me back. That is a good one and a plus for me (laughter).

However, it is also a good thing we have lots of new acts. I was also a new act at the time I came into the industry. Then I had senior colleagues and I still have senior colleagues so it is a good thing. I am back for good and coming with something huge. My fans should watch out!

When you were much younger, you were known for playing young girl roles. Now that you are older, you are now playing wife and mother roles. How does that make you feel?

When you play a character very well, they (directors) tend to want to see you in other movies doing the same thing forgetting the fact that as an actor, you are versatile and being versatile means you can interpret any role.

For me, nothing has changed talking about my height and size. The only thing I can say is that I am a mother now. Maybe, that is the reason I play mother roles and besides, now, they now see me as a more mature woman and I could play something different.

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