This week Spotiks celebrity interview is with American based registered nurse *rain*, healthcare and educational activist, television producer, writer, and public speaker, who found fame as an actress and model. In 1988, she was crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, she also made history by becoming the first Nigerian at Miss International in Japan, where she made an impact with the most outstanding traditional costume. After gaining public recognition in Nigeria as a beauty pageant winner, Regina Askia began a modelling career; as a model, Regina Askia appeared in several Nigerian print and television commercials including Kessingsheen Hair Care, boutique chain Collectibles, and most famously, Visine and she also worked on several runway shows etc. Spotiks had an up close and personal interview with the actress, and here is what she told us about herself.
1. WHAT IS YOUR NAME AND WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
My names are Regina Askia as you all know. I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, family roots in Akwa -Ibom state of Nigeria.
2. HOW DID IT ALL START FOR YOU?
I started with a big dream and a plan; I thought Mama was the most beautiful woman on earth and I wanted to be like her. I was going to give being Miss Nigeria a shot and I did. The journey to that took me through modeling, a bit of runway, print and television. TV modeling was big business for me; from there I got into soaps and movies. This was years back when some of you weren’t born, while some were babies and some of you saw all this unfold.
3. HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU WON THE MBGN?
Elated; I remember being really miffed when Bianca won but in my speech I told her to wear those shoes well because I just might be stepping into them and that’s just what happened. There really is power in the words we speak. She resigned to marry her sweet heart; I don’t really know why she chose to do that but it was my gain and I went with it. With that opportunity I represented Nigeria around the world, it was a beautiful experience
4.WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE YOU'VE EVER WORKED ON?
Every movie came with its set of challenges. I loved the epics because we went into the villages, under caves, waterfalls and I love those adventures because it got me feeling like Indiana Jones (Laughs). I hated when I had to play the poor girl roles because those just never sat well on me. Ultimate playing the Ultimate b***h turned out to be my forte; people said that’s because there was so much “b***h juice” in me that’s why I was able to play the role so well(laughs) I think the movie roles for me were an outlet for naughty things I wanted to do but couldn’t.
5. YOUR FAVOURITE NIGERIAN ACTRESS AND ACTOR?
Nigerian actors and actresses, (Laughs) why are you trying to start with me. There are seriously talented folks I just wish there was a better job done with channeling and directing all that energy into well scripted and properly produced stories. With the little they have in technology, they have been able to turn out products that have put Nigeria on the world map. However Ghana is fast catching up; Ghanaian story lines make you sit and watch. We need to buckle up for real so let’s try to keep it real.
Nigerian actors and actresses, (Laughs) why are you trying to start with me. There are seriously talented folks I just wish there was a better job done with channeling and directing all that energy into well scripted and properly produced stories. With the little they have in technology, they have been able to turn out products that have put Nigeria on the world map. However Ghana is fast catching up; Ghanaian story lines make you sit and watch. We need to buckle up for real so let’s try to keep it real.
6. YOUR TOP 5 NIGERIAN MUSICAL ARTISTS YOU LIKE AND LISTEN TO?
They may not be your top but they are definitely good music for me; Flavor Nabania for emotional originality, D’banj for composition (listen to the instrumentals of fall in love), Dare Art Alade (I got too much drama from loving you – that track speaks to me in a way I can totally relate), Iyanya just because he is ma homie ( home boy got it going) PSquare, TuFace, the high grunge music of Sunny Nneji (specially the track with my sister), Tony one week –the old track with dem go deny you dem no know you again. So many, good music from Nigeria, good music.
7. WE KNOW YOU ARE MARRIED TO A LOVELY HANDSOME LOOKING MAN, PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND?
My husband is mine to keep and to love and not to share with you nor my fans so on this I plead the fifth… (Laughs).
They may not be your top but they are definitely good music for me; Flavor Nabania for emotional originality, D’banj for composition (listen to the instrumentals of fall in love), Dare Art Alade (I got too much drama from loving you – that track speaks to me in a way I can totally relate), Iyanya just because he is ma homie ( home boy got it going) PSquare, TuFace, the high grunge music of Sunny Nneji (specially the track with my sister), Tony one week –the old track with dem go deny you dem no know you again. So many, good music from Nigeria, good music.
7. WE KNOW YOU ARE MARRIED TO A LOVELY HANDSOME LOOKING MAN, PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND?
My husband is mine to keep and to love and not to share with you nor my fans so on this I plead the fifth… (Laughs).
8. RUMOUR HAS IT THAT YOU HAD TO QUIT ACTING FOR MARRIAGE BECAUSE YOU SUDDENLY LEFT THE MOVIE INDUSTRY JUST LIKE THAT; HOW TRUE IS THIS?
Rumor has it … I made a personal choice. I needed to do stuff for me. All my life has been to make my fans happy, what about what makes me happy. “Man to thine own self be true” was a mantra I had to experience in this life time. Beauty is transient, what you will be left with after the years come and go….is the foundation of the truth you laid for yourself. Get your skills together, get your money game straight, grow your family and be there as a parent to your kids. RAISE your children, not the maid, YOU. Love your partner, some things in life take precedence over others. For me it was family, kids, school, and my job so unfortunately Nollywood had to take the back seat. Notice I didn’t say I kicked it out of the car, I said it took the back seat. I might have gone quiet but one thing you must know for sure is I QUIT AT NOTHING!!
9. YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD?
You know I have fallen in love with food; not wolfing and eating non-stop but I search for foods I have never had, I seek to enjoy rare flavors and essences. I love rare sushi, rare coffee, oysters, and flavored clam chowders; sometimes I look for those ancient African recipes like Ukana in palm oil, akang stockfish in palm oil. My love affair with food is growing but one thing I am absolutely careful about is making sure it does not sit on my waist line
10. YOU HAVE A LOVELY DAUGHTER THAT LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE YOU; ARE WE GOING TO BE SEEING HER ON SCREENS TOO LIKE IN THE MOVIES?
I don’t think so. Stephanie is a very private person and is not into all that razzmatazz even though she has the face and build for it. She modeled for H&M and seventeen magazines some time ago because I pushed her to it. She said she wants to graduate college first and then pick up again with the modeling but I suspect she isn’t interested which hurts me because that child could be the next big thing in the industry, you can trust her Mama to make that happen. You can take a horse to the water but you cannot make it drink. There is my other daughter however; on her my prayer is God save the world (laughs). She is ready and rearing to go. I pray for strength to hold her in check every day.
Rumor has it … I made a personal choice. I needed to do stuff for me. All my life has been to make my fans happy, what about what makes me happy. “Man to thine own self be true” was a mantra I had to experience in this life time. Beauty is transient, what you will be left with after the years come and go….is the foundation of the truth you laid for yourself. Get your skills together, get your money game straight, grow your family and be there as a parent to your kids. RAISE your children, not the maid, YOU. Love your partner, some things in life take precedence over others. For me it was family, kids, school, and my job so unfortunately Nollywood had to take the back seat. Notice I didn’t say I kicked it out of the car, I said it took the back seat. I might have gone quiet but one thing you must know for sure is I QUIT AT NOTHING!!
9. YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD?
You know I have fallen in love with food; not wolfing and eating non-stop but I search for foods I have never had, I seek to enjoy rare flavors and essences. I love rare sushi, rare coffee, oysters, and flavored clam chowders; sometimes I look for those ancient African recipes like Ukana in palm oil, akang stockfish in palm oil. My love affair with food is growing but one thing I am absolutely careful about is making sure it does not sit on my waist line
10. YOU HAVE A LOVELY DAUGHTER THAT LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE YOU; ARE WE GOING TO BE SEEING HER ON SCREENS TOO LIKE IN THE MOVIES?
I don’t think so. Stephanie is a very private person and is not into all that razzmatazz even though she has the face and build for it. She modeled for H&M and seventeen magazines some time ago because I pushed her to it. She said she wants to graduate college first and then pick up again with the modeling but I suspect she isn’t interested which hurts me because that child could be the next big thing in the industry, you can trust her Mama to make that happen. You can take a horse to the water but you cannot make it drink. There is my other daughter however; on her my prayer is God save the world (laughs). She is ready and rearing to go. I pray for strength to hold her in check every day.
11. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT?
I wish I had some of those because my attitude is s**t happens, get over it.
12. CRAZIEST THING YOU'VE EVER DONE?
My life story has been one crazy adventure after another; we are still at it (laughs).
13. IF I COULD REMEMBER, THE MOVIE SUICIDE MISSION WITH RICHARD MOFE DAMIJO WAS A MOVIE THAT THE WHOLE OF NIGERIA WATCHED AND LOVED; HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO FIT INTO SUCH CHARACTER?
(Laughs) Bitch juice.
14. WE ALL KNOW YOU ARE A DROP DEAD GORGEOUS DIVA AND MOST DEFINITELY MALE FANS WILL ALWAYS WANT TO APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR WORK, HOW DO YOU HANDLE YOUR MALE FANS?
Handle my male fans… (laughs) I don’t need to handle nothing. I’m kind of flattered by the attention but I always keep it real.
15. WHAT SHOULD FANS AND NIGERIANS EXPECT FROM YOU THIS 2013?
New things; you will see it as it unfolds. My life has been such a joy to me and I will spread the love with good news on success after success.
16. MESSAGE TO YOUR FANS?
BE TRUE TO YOURSELF. Dream big, empower yourself and go get whatever it is you seek. The world is at your feet take it. You get just one shot at life so live real.
17. MESSAGE TO SPOTIKS BLOG?
Hey Spotiks, as long as you are spreading Goodwill and being and inspiration to as many who read you, we are cool. Direct your energies to goodness, peace and love.
BE TRUE TO YOURSELF. Dream big, empower yourself and go get whatever it is you seek. The world is at your feet take it. You get just one shot at life so live real.
17. MESSAGE TO SPOTIKS BLOG?
Hey Spotiks, as long as you are spreading Goodwill and being and inspiration to as many who read you, we are cool. Direct your energies to goodness, peace and love.
18. TWITTER HANDLE?
ReginaAskia-Williams. There are many fake accounts Regina askia1, reginaaskia2 Regina Askia on twitter and many impostors on face book. Guys just be yourselves the original Regina Askia is already taken and there can be only one me. Thanks Buddy and cheers.
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INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY @ORIREFRESHOUT
INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY @ORIREFRESHOUT
