Nigerian Actor Benson Okonkwo: I’m Not GAY

There is this rumor that you are gay. What do you have to say about that?

I’m not a gay…hell no! I love women. We have girls all over Nigeria looking for guys to date. In fact, we have more population of girls in Nigeria than guys, so why should I be sleeping with men? Jeeeeez…this is absurd. When you’re not forming a hard man or drinking a lot, smoking, or womanizing with those my male colleagues, the next thing they say is that you’re gay. Well I came from a Christian background. Our country forbids the act. So why should I be practicing such act. There’s this saying that if you fine too much them go say you turn gay.

What do you think started this rumor?

What I know and I’m sure that started the rumor is envy. Because I have good looks and they know that. It’s a good thing for a male actor to look good. And secondly, I don’t womanize with them or smoke weed or drink like they do. Because I’m an actor doesn’t mean that I must take my female fans for a fool. I mean sleeping around when I’m supposed to be a mirror for all, not an instrument for the devil.

I did a movie in 2010 with Jim Iyke. In that movie, I played a gay man. The name of the movie is Two dollar. In the movie, I disguised myself and Jim saw me in the club and thought I was a woman. He then took me home and I left with his money. It was just a movie. And because I played my role so well my colleagues started saying nonsense.

Some artists have played witches, mad people, rapists, ritualists, etc., in the movies, why are they not being labeled those things? It’s all jealousy from my male colleagues, that’s all I know. Many of them have spent so many years without making any impact in the industry, now they see me rising very fast and they want to spoil my name. It’s not my fault that I’m talented. I didn’t create myself. God gave me the talents.

Some of your colleague said that you’ve never introduced any girl to them as your girlfriend. Any comment on that?

WOW…they must be kidding me! Who doesn’t know my girlfriendEmelda in the industry? Well, you see…they like it when you are a womanizer. For me I’m from a Christian home. And I believe in one relationship at a time. I’m not trying to say I’m a saint, but you don’t expect me to be going around Nollywood with my girlfriend who is a student. When she has free time in school or is on break and I’m on set, she visits me on location.

Well the last time she came to location to visit me, she was even complaining of my friend, a male colleague, asking her out and that she wasn’t comfortable with the whole thing, knowing too well that I’m a decent dude. I have dated her for close to 7 years now. And she knows my principle, I don’t double date.

Oh I remember again, I also did a movie with Tonto Dikeh, Halima Abubakar and Oge Okoye in Lagos. I played the role of a gay man. In the movie, Tonto broke my heart and got married to the star. The movie will come out next month. After the movie, Tonto told me that I did well and that I’ll go far in the industry. I don’t care about what people say, I’ll play roles given to me because I’m a versatile actor.

We are going to ask you this straight up. Benson, are you gay?

God forbid! I am not gay and will never be! It’s absurd. It’s not okay in our culture and like I said before I come from a Christian home which forbids it.

Tell us about your girlfriend.

How do people expect a young handsome man like me to be single…hell no! Her name is Emelda and we have been dating for close to 7 years now. We love each other very much.

When will you introduce Emelda to the world?

I will introduce her to the world if God says it’s time ooo. Maybe when we are ready to settle down and start having children. For now we pray for that time to come soon when I must have been fully established…lol.

There Goes My Baby

John Dumelo, Ama K and co nominated for AFDA 2013