The Ambrose Ehirim-Claret Onukogu Q & A Interview

Claret Onukogu is Ph.D candidate at Walden University and aspires to be a film-maker and interest in working for the United Nations. In this interview, she talks about her growing up, going to school in Nigeria, Nollywood and her problems with the Miss Nigeria In America Beauty Pageant since her crown.

Excerpts:

Tell me about yourself.

I am the first child from a family of 8 and a native of Imo State, Nigeria who resides in the United States. I am an MBA/ Healthcare Administration degree holder from South University in Savannah, Georgia, and a PhD candidate from Walden University. I am also one of the new faces and rising stars in Nollywood with work ranging in cinema, soap-opera, home-videos, and co-host of a television show (music and vibes). Some of my awards include Who’s Who among American High School students, Who’s Who among American College students, Certificates of Academic Excellence, Outstanding French Student, National Dean’s List (sophomore), Minority Academic Awards, Academic Scholarships, Miss Nigeria in America (2009-2010), and Outstanding Nigerian (World Ebony Network). I am intelligent, spiritual, brilliant, articulate, hard-working, compassionate, and admirable.

What inspired you to be doing the stuff that you now do in the Nollywood entertainment industry?

I have always aspired to be an actress particularly in Nollywood at a young age, but I wanted to complete my graduate level education before I actively pursue a career in acting. As a child, I watched many Nollywood movies and I enjoyed them. I admired the culture, language, and stories and it kept me connected to home. Acting has always been a part of me even as a child and before I decided to become a professional in the field, I did it as a hobby and I loved it, besides, the industry has evolved and is taking a new and different dimension.

How would you compare Nollywood to Hollywood?

Although Nollywood is growing at an incredibly fast pace, it has not quite reached the level of Hollywood. I am optimistic that in the next few years, it will be close to Hollywood in terms of the technology, special effects and in other areas where it lags behind.

Is Nollywood getting better?

The industry is changing. Nollywood is now in cinemas and I happen to be one of the faces appearing on the big screen. Many producers are taking the risk to redefine and create new faces of Nollywood. There are young and talented actors and actresses on the rise. Some of the actors and actresses who have been in the industry for a while have ventured into filmmaking and most of them attended renowned schools to study the art and perfect their skills. I was very impressed at the work ethics and professionalism, talent, enthusiasm and educational backgrounds of some of the rising producers and directors that I was fortunate to work with; they were simply amazing and continue to search for ways to introduce new materials and reinvent the ones that are already in existence. I am definitely impressed at the frequency of growth of the industry.

You went to school both in Nigeria and the U.S. From your experience, how do you compare both educational systems?

I schooled in Nigeria for a few years during my childhood and the educational system then might have changed because it has been a very long time. I liked the experience of being educated back home because it goes beyond the regular academic environment. I learnt culture, language, values and morals as an African woman. I also like the experience of being educated in the United States because it broadened my horizon and exposed me to individuals and cultures from different parts of the world. The educational systems from both parts of the world made me who I am today and I cherish the experiences that I garnered from them. I am very grateful to God and my parents for giving me such an opportunity.

Let's talk about the Miss Nigeria in America Beauty Pageant. You were crowned queen in 2009, right??

Yes, I emerged as the winner for the Miss Nigeria in America 2009 pageant.

I read where you still claim to be Miss Nigeria in America after three years you have been crowned. In what supposedly should have been held annually, how come you still hold the crown?

I still have the crown because MNIA Inc. and its organizers have not been able to stage another pageant since September 5, 2009. My reign ended officially on September 5, 2010, but I have not been able to handover to anyone since no pageant has been held by the organization since 2009 and the public expects to see me crown a new queen who competed in the pageant system and earned the title.

who is Oluwayimika Angel Adelaja?

Oluwayimika Angel Adelaja was the first runner-up for the Miss Nigeria in America 2009 beauty pageant and long-term friend of the organizers at MNIA Inc. She now supposedly claim to be Miss Nigeria in America 2010-2011 with a false public message from her, MNIA Inc and its organizers that I relinquished my title and handed over to her while in actuality I have already served and completed my reign exactly a year after I was crowned from September 5, 2009 to September 5, 2010. Adelaja is currently facing legal actions for impersonation and defamation of character. She is a queen that MNIA Inc and its organizers falsely created for the continuity of the organization because they have not been able to afford any pageants. By doing so, Angel Adelaja has been posing with a purchased and unmerited crown and sash as the current queen with false justification to the public for the questionable act claiming that I (Claret Onukogu), the former queen waiting to hand over to a successor who competed and merited a crown at a pageant, relinquished my title for her due to a pursuit of an acting career in Nollywood which is FALSE because she bears a different title (MNIA 2010-2011) with her crown and sash which has absolutely nothing to do with me and my reign as MNIA 2009-2010. Most individuals are baffled by this unscrupulous act by MNIA Inc and its organizers because if a crown, sash and title can be given to an individual without a competition for the year that she claims to be queen, then the purpose of pageantry is defeated.

Why is she claiming to be the current Miss Nigeria in America? Since there hasn't been any contest from when you were crowned three years ago, how was she declared winner of the beauty pageant contest?

Mr. Ehirim that is exactly the lingering question that confuses me and everyone else; since my reign ended exactly a year after I was crowned, I moved on with my acting career and other activities. The answer should be given by Oluwayimika Angel Adelaja in court as to why she has been posing with a sash, crown and title that is unmerited. She should be able to answer the question effectively and defend her title without mentioning my name because I never handed my crown and sash to her, MNIA Inc or its organizers, since my reign and responsibilities as Miss Nigeria in America 2009-2010 ended a year after I was crowned like other queens in the MNIA Inc. pageant system.

From what I read, what happened to the show since you were last crowned?

No show has been held by MNIA Inc. and its organizers since the last pageant in 2009. I have not spoken to them after the conclusion of my reign. I traveled out of the country a few weeks before the end of my reign to engage in some charity work in Nigeria, which was highly publicized and recognized, and to begin my acting career a few months after my reign ended. I was astonished when people began to contact me with questions concerning my supposedly forged resignation and relinquishing of title as Miss Nigeria in America 2009-2010 according to MNIA Inc and its organizers. The first time that I received a call pertaining to this issue, I had my crown and sash in front of me. Even though the credibility of the organization and the integrity of its organizer became questionable to me while working with them, I could not believe that they would think about committing a dubious act and using my name for its justification. Apparently, six months and a few days after my reign ended, they lied on Facebook and on their website that I relinquished my title and resigned as Miss Nigeria in America 2009-2010 which is an expensive lie and defamation of character. Since I was out of the country, I could not take any actions towards the issue until I returned to the United States. For the past few months, I have been asked by several individuals and the media about the false and slanderous news until I decided to take legal actions towards the organization and Oluwayimika Angel Adelaja and to grant interviews to the media in order to clear my name and answer the questions that have been directed to me by many individuals. I do not sanction the use of my name in any crooked and questionable act and no one including the MNIA Inc and its organizers has the right or permission to dent the reputation that I have built for myself. I could not believe that MNIA Inc and its organizers had the audacity to fabricate an expensive lie with my name in public for their own interest. From the beginning of my reign (September 5th, 2009) to its end (September 5th, 2010) MNIA Inc specified verbally and in writing that my reign comes to a halt a year after I was crowned and it did; despite the fact that there were no contracts, agreement or conversation stating otherwise and none binding me to the organization stating that my reign will extend more than a year, the organizers of the pageant who reiterated to me during my reign on numerous occasions that they could not have another pageant due to financial and other organizational commitments, thought that it would be a brilliant idea to lie to the public that I relinquished my title in order to justify them crowning a runner-up from 2009 as Miss Nigeria in America 2010-2011 on February 2011 without a pageant which is an insult to those of us who worked hard and earned our crowns. To say that I am highly disappointed in MNIA Inc. and its organizers is an understatement. Please examine a few of the messages that I received from the organizers of the pageant during my reign and its pattern of change over the years. I have also included a response from Oluwayimika Angel Adelaja to someone making inquires about her being the current queen.

Email from Chichi Dike-Emeson “CEO, Executive Director, and Founder of MNIA Inc.)” On May 3, 2010 speaking concerning the end of my reign and management by regal affairs: “The meeting will discuss your management with Regal Affairs and my expectations from you and Regal Affairs. So please come with your ideas and we will draft a game plan for your reign from now till October.”

On July 22nd 2010, the executive director of the MNIA pageant sent me an email also addressing the Regal Affairs manager of the organization stating verbatim in her exact words “September 5, 2010 is the end of your reign and I will ensure that MNIA submits to you all the is due to you. I need a close-out report from you and that should include a reflection of your reign as Miss Nigeria in America 2009. As you know we will not be having any pageant this year but the next Miss Nigeria in America will be on September 3, 2011 in Washington DC. Queen, I also need a close-out report from Regal Affairs also for management of the Miss Nigeria in America 2009.”

Close out report from the executive director on July 29, 2010:

“Dear Claret,

As we come to the end of your reign, MNIA, Inc. wants to thank you for all the work you have done in the past 12 months. As you may be aware, we will not be having the Miss Nigeria in America Pageant in 2010. Financial and other organizational commitments have forced us to move this event in 2011. Due to your hectic schedule and your ongoing work with the entertainment industry, your reign will end on September 5, 2010. MNIA has decided that in order to continue the work of MNIA, Inc, and our charitable/ non-profit mission, the 1st runner-up Miss Angel Adelaja will become Miss Nigeria in America 2010. Please note that the organization will have your EEE bonds to you before your reign is over. Please let us know if there is any thing that you may need. We wish you the best in your endeavors.”

“Los Angeles, CA – February 18, 2011 - MNIA, Inc. has announced today that the first runner-up in the 2009 MNIA Pageant - Angel Adelaja will assume the role and responsibilities as the Miss Nigeria in America 2010. In a statement issued by the President of the Organization, Angel will fulfill all remaining responsibilities of the former Queen, Claret Onukogu. Speaking on this change, ChiChi Dike Emeson, Executive Director said “We gracefully accept the resignation of the Miss Nigeria in America 2009 as of September 5, 2010.”

Oluwayimika Angel Adelaja: July 26, 2012 (Response from Angel to an individual making inquiries as to how Angel became Miss Nigeria in America 2010-2011):

“Anyway I was 1st runner up in the 2009 pageant, but the winner was asked to resign for reasons I am not at liberty to say, and as it is stated in the regulations, the 1st runner up assumes the title in situations such as these. Unfortunately there hasn't been a pageant since 2009, but there will be one this September in Washington DC and I will be handing over the crown to the winner.”

Information on the company website and a word document about Angel on google states:

“Dr. Angel Adelaja is the reigning Miss Nigeria in America (2010 -2011). Angel was the first runner up in the 2009 Miss Nigeria in America Pageant and assumed the role and responsibilities of the former queen Claret Onukogu who relinquished her title to pursue an acting career.”

Mr. Ehirim, please, you be the judge does this sound like I resigned or more like falsification of information and defamation of character? My observations and experience with MNIA Inc and the organizers of the pageant during my reign caused me to dissociate myself from them for almost two years now. It is frustrating and annoying for me to go back to issues concerning them again. It is obvious that MNIA Inc and its organizers are not straight forward and trust worthy. Besides inconsistency and questionable acts, they still owe money in the form of savings bonds and other rewards to me, many runner-ups, winners, and some other former contestants who merited items such as plaques. They lied and did not meet up to their obligations during my reign. Apparently, I am not the only one who is displeased with the unscrupulous behaviors of MNIA Inc and its organizers. From last year till recently, some of the winners who were owed for years before I came on board have approached me concerning the issue of payment or financial assistance that we never received from MNIA Inc as promised and we were planning to find a lawyer collectively to write a letter to the organization. I later decided to sue them because I felt like it will be the most appropriate thing to do at this point since it has become a trend by the organization to owe individuals especially the young ladies who competed in the pageant system. It is disheartening to know that an organization that supposedly prides itself of bringing Nigeria to positive light and empowering women is fraudulent, crooked, manipulative and prone to falsification. This was a message from the executive director on May 19, 2010 concerning my personal information for the supposed savings bond or money which I never received “Hi Claret, I cannot process your bonds without a SSN number so if you want to call me and give it to me so I can process in the bank, then you can call.” I am not the only person who completed the bond forms and never received the money and other rewards that was due to me. Legal actions have also been taken towards MNIA Inc and its organizers concerning the possession and possible use of my personal information. The United States federal government has been made aware of this problem and is actively working towards the issue. The last thing that Nigeria needs is another scam, fraud or dubious act attached to its name, not even in the form of pageantry. Please take note of the report from Better Business Bureau concerning the Miss Nigeria in America pageant:

This Business is not BBB accredited Miss Nigeria in America Pageant/ Danick, INC Phone: (202) 460-2919 1717 K Street, NW Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036 http://missnigeriainamerica.org! Miss Nigeria in America Pageant/ Danick, INC is Believed to Be Out of Business ! Additional Information BBB file opened: February 22, 2005 Contact Information Principal: ChiChi Dike, Company Contact Business Category BEAUTY PAGEANTS # of businesses with 1-4 complaints in the past 36 months. Miss Nigeria in America Pageant/ Danick, INC is in this range.

I do understand that the organizers at MNIA Inc. are entitled to do as they please with their organization but they are not permitted to use my name in any questionable act to rectify their mistakes or set-backs. Common sense will tell anyone that a supposedly yearly pageant will have winners whose reign ends yearly. If Miss Nigeria in America 2009 was crowned on September 5, 2009 then September 5, 2010 will mark the end of her tenure. I cannot possibly resign on the day that my reign ends. The fact that MNIA Inc. and its organizers can falsify senseless lies makes one wonder about the integrity and the sanity of any individual who will do such. I did not have any form of communication with Chi-Chi Dike-Emeson, her husband Kenneth Emeson and friend Queen Gideon Uchekwe, who are the main organizers and producers of the MNIA pageant, on September 5, 2010 to discuss or hand over any form of resignation. No one forced me to resign. My reign ended when it was supposed to like other queens who served for one year and Oluwayimika Angel Adelaja should defend her crown and title as MNIA 2010-2011 (however it was obtained) without any claims that I relinquished my title for her because if I did, she will have my crown, sash and title as MNIA 2009-2010. I earned my title, crown and sash and never gave them to anyone. She is assuming her own responsibilities as MNIA 2010-2011 and not mine. If the completion of my reign that ended in one year translates to a false imaginary resignation to MNIA Inc. and its organizers, then it means that they are referring to every queen who won and completed their one year tenure with the organization. I went beyond the call of duty to conclude my roles and responsibilities as a queen. MNIA Inc, its organizers and Oluwayimika Angel Adelaja should please formulate another lie to tell the public as usual. The ones they falsified have turned sour. Individuals in the public are not fools, they know how credible organizations conduct pageants. It is imperative that Africans, particularly Nigerians, should join hands in cleansing our image by eradicating fraudulent, dubious and falsifying entities that bear our names and put a halt to the activities of the individuals behind those acts that drag our names to the mud especially in the international community.

Besides what's been going on, what are your interests?

I will like to venture into the production aspect of entertainment particularly film-making. I am also very interested in working with the United Nations.

What projects are you working on now?

I have been working on my PhD in Epidemiology; I have also been taking some classes for film production and screenplay writing. Humanitarian work is still a priority in my life regardless of how busy my schedule might be; I create time to do charity work. I am currently shooting a program in the U.S. that will be shown on Nigerian television networks. I have been privileged to own and operate a webstore with variety of goods at affordable prizes (http://claretijeoma.fscstore.com).

Euro 2012: German Model Micaela Schaefer

German super model Micaela Schaefer poses at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on 07 June 2012 in connection with the opening of the fan area for the upcoming Euro 2012.

The Ambrose Ehirim - Ogor Winnie Okoye Q & A Interview

Ogor Winnie Okoye, a music aficionado and lover of people, earned a Bachelor's Degree in law from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, and a Juris Doctorate from the Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a trial attorney and founder of the law firm BOS Legal, LLC. She is an avid writer and blogger who has published several articles on positive living and related topics. She currently resides with her husband and children in Massachusetts. In this interview she talks about her book and what inspired it, her journey in life's endeavors and a whole lot of other stuff.

EXCERPTS:

Tell me a little bit about yourself

My name is Ogor Winnie Okoye. I am a married to man I absolutely adore, Victor ( I call him my Bubu); I have four lovely children, I am a trial attorney and the founder of BOS Legal, LLC, a firm specializing in criminal and immigration laws; I love writing and blogging; I am a lover of LOVE and a lover of life! I am extremely bubbly and I love people! Music is my first love. I also sing and record my own songs.

I must admit, “Awaken And Unleash Your Victor: Uncover the Path to Your Magnificent Destiny” is a well-written book. In what environment did you start putting your thoughts together on this book into perspective?

Ambrose, When I started getting in touch with my spirituality and asking questions about life generally and my life specifically, I began this journey that led me ultimately to uncover the greatest, most positive and most potent force of all - LOVE! After that encounter, I found that the application of the principles that I shared in the book gave my life a whole new meaning and made me encounter joy and peace like I never felt before. That was the precise moment that I started writing. My husband had also encouraged me to make this collection of my thoughts into a book. I knew that I definitely wanted to share this with the world! I knew that lives would be improved and enriched through the message! The actual writing of the book was not something that comes all of the time. It is really difficult to explain but I do get random thoughts and inspiration only when I am in harmony with the force of LOVE! I cannot write jack, no matter how hard I try if I am out of sync, meaning, not at a very healthy and positive frequency! I can only write when I am at a positive and joyful place! That is when those motivational and inspirational thoughts start streaming and I can sit down for hours and just lose every sense of time and place! it is beautiful when that happens!

For years now, I have been jotting down my thoughts into publishing a book, telling different kind of stories, and up till now, I am no where done and yet to publish. What’s the key to publishing within a time frame?

Personally, I think it comes from really enjoying the penning process. Ambrose, you are a natural already and so might not need this advice but I find that when you really enjoy the writing process, again, it is going back to powering the force of LOVE, it is a lot more seamless and it will automatically flow from within. So, I guess the key to publishing within a time frame is finding the process enjoyable and not merely writing to publish because you will write effortlessly when you are in harmony and find the process really enjoyable.

You are trained as a lawyer, and one would expect you’d be writing a book on law reviews and things like that. What generated the book you have just written instead of thoughts relating to your area of specialty?

[laughter!] I am a trained lawyer both here in the U.S and also back in Nigeria! I love the law and my clients but I found that the topic that I explored in my book is such a fundamental and compelling topic that spans across people of all races, religion, creed, background, etc. Almost everyone on earth is searching for answers and wondering about life generally and what their purpose or destinies might be. This is a journey everyone will attempt to make at one point or another and it actually is the impetus for every religion and ideology out there. People have always searched and are still searching for answers and so, i delved into a topic that I believe if and when you eventually grasp it, almost every other facet of your life will begin to make sense and your life will become a lot more seamless. At least, that is what I found in my personal life after I embarked on my individual journey!

You are a practicing attorney, a mother of four children and happily married. With a handful of these responsibilities, how did you find time to writing this book?

Ambrose, personally for me, life is almost always about balance. If you are truly determined to do anything whatsoever, you will not only make time, but you will also make a concerted effort towards making it happen! I write only when I am in sync with the force and if that happens when I am driving, I have had to pull over to pen that thought down, I write sitting down in court and waiting for my case to be called; I write when the kids are sleeping! I just love writing!

I read about how “stress” and “worry” took a toll on your life, and, on a variety of troubling issues. What did you do to overcome that predicament?

Ambrose, that is a great question! Thank you! Before I began this journey, I was so stressed and trying to find that balance that we just talked about! I was working very hard and yet felt really unfulfilled. I knew that there was something lacking in the whole story of my life and decided to search. When I encountered the force that I spoke about in the book, I understood that I was charting the course of my destiny through the thoughts, words, actions and inactions that I had taken thus far in my life and decided at that point that I needed to change course. Changing course through the victor-driven principles that I shared in my book gave me the precise antidote for the stress and worry, all of which It just evaporated and I look back at those wasted years and just feel so sorry for my poor little self. Worrying and stress are both negative emotions and diametrically opposed to the most powerful and positive force of all!

On Page 86, you wrote: “Each time we condemn, criticize or coerce another to change, we further widen the gap towards our self improvement and miss out on yet another opportunity to evolve into our highest good possible. The journey of change must start not from others but from self.” From around what time did you start realizing that change must start from you?

Ambrose, that quote is to me what everyone of us needs to embrace and imbibe in our dealing with one another! Imagine what would happen when we each acknowledge our own flaws, blemishes and short-comings and begin working on eliminating those. Life would be blissful for everyone! As beautiful as it was meant to be, I have tried to change people in my life by condemnation, criticism, even coercion and the result has been nothing but a colossal failure. You just cannot change anyone. Try changing a man and you will end up being the most miserable person on earth. I am talking from experience and I am sure most people can attest to this. [ laughter] But seriously, people can only change when they truly desire to change on their own. They become resentful when you try to do it and who the heck are you to try to change another when you have so many blemishes yourself. When I realized that people step up to your level when you become an example of what you attempt to make of them was a defining moment for me. Just like Ghandi said, "be the change you want to see in the world". Utilize the most powerful and positive force of all as your constant ally to become the person that you want your spouse, family, friend, children, and acquaintances to be and they instantly would step it up to your level.

You cited Thomas Kempis, Martin Luther King Jr., Albert Camus, Melodie Beattie, Sophocles, Ralph Waldo Emerson, among others on social related problems around us. Are there any Africans you admire who should have fallen in that category of thinkers and who have done things worthy of mention?

I love Nelson Mandela! I love M. I. Okpala, even though I never met him, he has a compelling legacy of selfless public service!

Like face-to-face emotional interactions, was this book the way to express your feelings in what you went through?

Yeaah. . .it was Ambrose! "Awaken and Unleash your Victor" is my individual journey and the convictions and conclusions that I reached during the journey. It also has a lot of time-tested principles including Biblical quotes that embrace the same principles that I attempted to share with the world.

What was the inspiration behind “Role of Prayer, Faith and Religion in Unleashing” and “You, Yourself and You” in the last two chapters of the book?

That chapter on prayer for me stressed the point regarding the huge difference between spirituality and religiosity. They are not even remotely the same and when we become more spiritual as opposed to more religious, we find that we begin to experience a lot more answered prayers because spirituality envisages that you are in tune with LOVE which is really God! I gave the example of the reason why the reception (answers to our prayers) is usually poor even for the people who are very religious. Reception is poor because in reality the transmission is clogged with negative and toxic emotions which are very far from the force of LOVE! You begin to receive better transmission the moment you embrace the force!

The last chapter on "You, yourself and you" was an attempt to reiterate the enormous power that we each wield as individuals; sort of, like putting a ring on the whole process as Beyonce will say! You must be a willing participant and open to embarking on this individual journey towards awakening and unleashing your own Victor before your life assumes this incredible new dimension! You do not have to force others to start with you; you are single-handedly behind the wheels of your destiny and when you embrace the force, backed by your own faith and unequivocal belief in a particular outcome, success for you becomes inevitable! Your journey or destiny is really not tied to any one person or thing and it is yours and yours alone to make! Other people cannot and should not determine your destiny for you unless you let them! I want everyone to recognize how stupendously powerful they can become when they start practicing being in harmony with the force!

What would be your advise to young and aspiring writers who have read your inspirational book and what path they should follow?

Always follow your bliss! Make LOVE your primary guiding principle while putting in your earnest and best efforts and success would have no choice but to come to you!

Anything we should know about what you are working on, right now?

Bubu and I are doing a collaboration on relationships! Kind of like, love, sex, and marriage. I am also putting my quotes together for a possible sequel of more inspiration.

Thank you very much Ambrose and the opportunity for this interview. It was a pleasure!

Polish Model Anja Rubik at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival

On the main concept behind the magazine 25 which was relaunched on Wednesday night, May 22, 2012, in an interview with Oyster Magazine Rubik said;

"I love this magazine from the late 60s, early 70s, called Viva, which was a Penthouse publication for women. It was very erotic, very sensual and I was looking through it and thinking, “What happened to erotica?” because, now, the whole idea of erotic sensuality has disappeared and the approach to sex and nudity is very awkward — either it is really ‘cool’ or really trashy. So we decided to bring the idea of erotica in the 70s back to life. I also wanted the magazine to be about very ambitious, very strong women and so I started looking at people in my field — especially the photographers who are so incredible — but I started thinking that there are so few female photographers; so I worked with many female photographers. And the issue is about very strong women, very ambitious; she does what she wants and she is comfortable with her sexuality."

Polish Model Anja Rubik Relaunches Erotica Magazine 25

Unveiled at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival which ends Sunday, May 27, 2012, Polish model Anja Rubik has relaunched erotica magazine, 25, and the debut issue will feature mostly nude photos shot by entirely female photographers. Included are Ethiopian fashion model Liya Kebede, Arizona Muse, Abbie Lee Kershaw and several others shot by celebrity female photographers Annie Leibovitz, Inezi Lamsweerde and Ellen von Unwerth. The new issue will feature 300 pages of glossy photographs with no ads. “I wanted the magazine to be about very ambitious, very strong women and so I started looking at people in my field — especially the photographers who are so incredible — but I started thinking that there are so few female photographers; so I worked with many female photographers,” Rubik said in her interview.

Model Of The Week: Mbathio Beye

Mbathio Beye, 21, from Senegal was last month named the first ever Miss Black France among controversies that the pageant was "stupid," "dangerous" and "hostile." However, Beye was officially named the first "Miss Black France" last month in Paris, after being selected from a pool of 1,000 applicants.

The Ambrose Ehirim-Tana Lopez Q & A Interview

Tana Lopez is a nationally exhibited and nationally published international documentary and fine-art photographer living in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore area. She is also an official member of the Jazz Journalist Association.In the summers of 2010 and 2011 she traveled to Ghana, West Africa as the official photographer for a non-profit organization that builds schools and health clinics in the mud-hut villages that surround the city of Accra. Her photos from Ghana benefited the organization’s fund raising efforts significantly and in August, 2011 were also exhibited at the prestigious Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center in Baltimore, MD. Tana is absolutely passionate about taking pictures that will bring about awareness of important issues because she feels that the best way to motivate people to change the world is to show them what needs to be changed. She has many more exhibits planned in the near future.

You had the Tana Lopez Photography Public Exhibition at the Eubie Blake National Jazz and Cultural Center in downtown Baltimore in 2011. How did this come about?

A lady by the name of Cheryl Goodman referred me to the Director of the center (Troy Burton). They asked me if I would like to do an exhibit of my live jazz photos and I said yes!! Eventually I decided I would rather show my photos from my work in Ghana because I felt that the poverty that existed there was an issue that was important and that people needed to know about.

Photography is art. When and how did you start the work of photography?

In 2008, I had come to a time in my life where my children were all in school and didn't need my constant care and attention anymore. I had a college degree but when I started applying for jobs, I realized that after having stayed home with my children for so long, very few people were willing to hire me or to pay me what I was worth. I decided not to take a low-paying job, that I would rather find something I was passionate about. After trying many different things, photography was the one form of art that really stuck, once I started I just couldn't stop.


What are your favorite moments in photography?

By far the best and most meaningful part of my photographic career has been my work in the mud-hut villages of Ghana.

You traveled to Ghana in 2010 as photographer to cover events for the Ghanaian Mothers Hope, Inc. How did you get the assignment?

I came across their facebook page in May of 2010 and eventually landed on their website. I read about how they were building schools and health clinics in the mud-hut villages that surround the city of Accra. This was something that I had always dreamed of doing, going to a third world country and helping the people. I knew immediately that I wanted to do something like this, so I emailed the director and asked if I could join them. A few weeks later, she called me and told me yes!! I went to Ghana in 2010 for a month and then I went back with the same organization in 2011 for three weeks.

Was that trip your first to any African country?

Yes, this was my first trip to the continent of Africa

What was the trip about?

For me this trip was a huge lesson in taking something I was good at doing and adding meaning to it in a way I had never even imagined. Up until my trip to Ghana, being a photographer was fun and exciting. Going to a third world country took my life to a whole new level, I have now decided that all my future work will be about documenting important issues such as poverty.

Entering your website, first on spot is the music of David Dyson. Who is David Dyson?

David Dyson is a phenomenal jazz bass guitarist and a great friend. He was the musical director of New Kids on the Block and since then has performed with many amazing artists such as Phil Perry, Pieces of a Dream, Walter Beasley, Marcus Johnson, and so many more.

It’s obvious jazz music is one of your favorites. Who is your favorite jazz performer?

It's hard to have a favorite jazz performer, there is just so much talent out there. But I have to say that the jazz artists in the DMV area hold a special place in my heart.

You quoted Hakim Sanai recently in one of your lines on Face-book: “I choose love above all else. As for wealth, if that comes, or goes, so be it. Wealth and love in nhabit separate worlds.” Who is Hakim Sanai and what was the quote all about?

Hakim Sanai is one of the earlier Sufi poets and lived during the 11th century, he is just one of many poets whose work I admire. I love reading poetry!! As far as that quote, to me it just means that love and wealth really are two different concepts that have nothing to do with each other. Too often in our society we confuse the two, or we make one dependent on the other, but I don't agree with that idea. I think love is far more important than anything else in life.


You are a lover of people. How did you generate that?

It is just who I am at the deepest level, I have always loved people and had a special affinity toward people who are less fortunate than others. I have always felt that poverty in our world should not exist and have always felt a special pull toward the poor.

What are you working on now?

I am absolutely passionate about taking pictures that will bring about awareness and change. I believe that the best way to facilitate change in this world is by showing the world what needs to be changed. After having researched different social issues in our country and abroad, I have decided that I absolutely must explore the current issues of today’s Native Americans. I want to depict their beauty and their struggle so that I can show this to the world by way of multiple national and international photo exhibits and eventually the publication of a book. When people see and can truly feel the pain and the struggle that the American Indians are going through they will want to make a difference. For this reason, I will work closely with several different non-profit organizations so that when people feel motivated to donate money, they will immediately know where they can send their money.

In 2013 I am planning a three month trip to work in an orphanage in India. I plan to have exhibits and publish a book with the photos that I take in India as well. I will continue to venture to places and to take pictures of the people I feel the world needs to see.

Thank you so much, Ambrose, for showing interest in my work and for writing this article. You are helping me bring about awareness of important issues and I appreciate that so much!!

Portraits: Nudity & Beauty (CN312)

Nude of Carla Bruni Sarkozy to be auctioned in Berlin
A staff member of auction house Villa Grisebach holds a nude of French first lady Carla Bruni Sarkozy in Berlin, Germany, 02 June 2009. The photography titled 'Carla Bruni in Bed' (1994) by Pamela Hanson will be auctioned in Berlin on 04 June, a bid of 2,500 to 3,500 eurio is expected.


Model Vai Reynolds

Conversations With Patrick H. Johnson On The Pilgrimage To Elixir

Image: VinZula Kara/Ehirim Files Images

"Join us as we walk to Crenshaw/Stocker to dedicate the mural Elixir to the city. The mural will become a sacred place because of our collective agreement."
------------Patrick Henry Johnson, Artist/Painter/Mural Enterpreneur

I had just noticed Patrick H. Johnson, as an artist, on the Summer of 2010 while pulling out from the Starbucks drive-through on the Washington Corridor in one of my mid-day coffee-break-runs; and Patrick was busy doing his thing: A mural he was setting up by the drive-through to discourage vandalism and graffitti that had been the trademark of the entire Los Angeles area.

Earlier on, I had thought he was like any other would assume, the neighborhood guy one bumps into and exchange some "what's up" kind of greetings as it goes in the Los Angeles/Hollywood road and travel ways. Not until the day of that coffee-break-runs did I know a genius was about to be discovered in the City of Angels, the city with its own kind of drama--where anything goes--and where broken dreams continues apace.

So when I talked Patrick into some talks while the Pilgrim To Elixir was about to begun, he noted the pilgrim was about transformation of himself - about exposure - and time to thank all who collectively helped in the process of putting Elixir in place

Johnson's murals can be found in institutions all around the city: The Central Library, Westwood Charter School, Gardener Elementary School, Bancroft Middle School, Crenshaw Blvd. Leirmert Park, and several other places.

Patrick Henry Johnson Public Art and Mural Video

The Oscars: In Conversations With The Magic Touch Of Jay "The Freak" Porter

Yeah, we been talking about the Oscar, you feel me? Jay "The Freak", who evolved in so many ways with some cats in Hollywood in all da costume to writing the call sheet for base weekly programs on a pilot to be determined sometime gave me his feel on what he thinks about the upcoming Academy Awards. Gave thumbs up to my homegirl, Adepero Oduye whose role as Alike in the movie "Pariah" is buzzing out there. Met again the second time and Check it out.

Adepero Oduye is my homegirl, you know that, right? She's out with a bang. I think she deserves something, even a nod - being nominated for the 2011 Spirit Awards. What's your take?

Already she gets my vote. It's hard to catch an actress on the crossroads in life and career, a place where she has to decide which way to go. Adepero Oduye is in such a spot now. On one side she's the New York girl of Nigerian parents, graduating from Columbia University to make something out of life and on the other side she's floating with fame just like that in that breakthrough. Great movie and awesome discovery of a talent.

You think she'll get a nod?

Why not? I do think she'll be considered. I mean, think about her real life story; a girl who had planned to study medicine but lost the opportunity when her father died while a junior in college leaving her with no other option, enrolling in acting classes to pursue a career in the arts. Graduating and landing small roles in films such as "Half Nelson" and some TV series including "Law & Order: Criminal Alert," she was able to connect with the Wayans and film director Rees, landing the role of Alike - saying race and sexuality should be taken away in order for one to grip with identity and about trying how to find out how to be in the world."

I did not get to see the movie. People are saying "The Help" is getting the buzz for an Oscar. What your take?

I think the producers Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan did a good job and they should deserve a nod as well in the Best Picture category. It is a funny, touching, and inspiring movie adapted by Tate Taylor, based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett

Finally, it popped up. The life of the notorious FBI director, J. Edgar Hoover. What's your take?

Believe me, you know what it is. Got to take that. The heavyweights have it together. Expect some buzz when the Dirty Harry is involved. Dustin Lance Black did great in his research and when asked why of the man's life, he told the press " he [Edgar] was incredibly promising and brilliant, so why did he become a monster? Tha's where my research began." Now I dunno!

Your take in the Best Director category

Let's see here. Very hard to predict though director Stephen Spielbergs "War Horses" might not be all that but with Spielberg, you never know. I think Alexander Payne's "The Descendants" and Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artists" are in for a long ride with any of the projected nods.

Interview With Los Angeles Fashion Designer Porscha Starr

Tell me about yourself

Porscha Woodard was born in Los Angeles, California. She is a 22 year old entrepreneur. Her interest is designing Lingerie. She is currently the CEO and Founder of Porscha Starr.

What inspired you into fashion and modeling?

For as long as I can remember I have been interested in fashion. I can think back to being a little girl and playing dress-up in my mother’s clothes, shoes and accessories.

I used to wish that I was old enough to wear her clothes and imagine my friends and myself going out and wearing the hottest clothes and driving the fanciest cars to accent our wardrobes. For Christmas I would get lots of dolls in all shapes, heights, colors and sizes and lots of clothes to dress them up in. My friends loved coming over to play and to see what amazing new thing that I have done to my dolls. As I got older, my friends began to call me up and ask if I could go shopping with them and assist them in finding the perfect outfit, especially at the beginning of the school year.

So what is fashion modeling to you?
Fashion Modeling is Classy, Sexy and very Edgy. Fashion Modeling introduces all the new hot and upcoming trends to the public eye.

What’s your take on the fashion industry?I believe the fashion industry is changing to a more futuristic style. The two female artists that have a huge impact on the fashion industry are Lady Gaga and Beyonce.

What are your best moments in the fashion shows you’ve featured?

My best moments are watching the models walk the runway; I love the walk, the wardrobe and the energy.

Do you play any musical instruments?
No

Who is your favorite performer?

Beyonce. She is an amazing performer, brings lots of energy to the crowd, and has awesome wardrobe and hairstyles.

What are you working on now?
Porscha Starr Lingerie new designs and upcoming events, currently preparing for Porscha Starr Launch event.

Any clothing line yet?

Yes. Clothing line is Porscha Starr.

www.porschastarr.com

Porscha Starr Lingerie Fashion Photo Shoot by Arthur St. John

Classic Celebrity Shots

Mami Van Doren in '3 Nuts in Search of a Bolt.' Date: Ca. 1964. Image: Bettmann.

Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu. Date: July 2004. Location: France. Image: Mbane Navizet.

Classic Modelling Shots From Yomiland

Nelson Mandela and Model Naomi Campbell Embracing
Naomi Campbell weeps with emotion as she embraces her hero Nelson Mandela. Former President of South Africa and longtime political prisoner, Nelson Mandela, was held by the apartheid based government from 1964-1990 for sabotage. With the coming of a freer political climate, Nelson Mandela was released from his life sentence at Victor Vester Prison on February 11, of 1990. He went on to lead the African National Congress in negotiations with President F. W. de Klerk, that resulted in the end of apartheid and full citizenship for all South Africans. He and de Klerk received a joint Nobel Prize in 1993 for their efforts. Mandela was elected president in 1994. Date: February 01, 1998. Location: Cape Town, South Africa. Image: Louis Gubb


Model and Activist Waris Dirie. Date: March 01, 1992. Image: Nick Vaccaro


Fashion Model Iman and Norma Kamali. Date: ca. 1985. Image: Nick Elgar


West Indian Models Wearing African Style Prints.
Paris fashions: Two of a group of Negro models from Martinique are shown as they modeled fashions by designer Martin at St. Germain des Pres. Date: June: 23, 1952. Location: Paris, France. Image: Bettmann Collection

Portrait: Celebrity Nudity

American actor Joe Dallesandro, British actress and singer Jane Birkin and her partner, French director, singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg on the set of Gainsbourg's film "Je T'Aime, Moi Non Plus" (I Love You, I Don't). Date: October 01, 1975. Location: France. Image: Georges Pierre/Sygma.


Set of "Je T'Aime, Moi Non Plus"
British actress and singer Jane Birkin and her partner, French director, singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg on the set of Gainsbourg's film "Je T'Aime, Moi Non Plus" (I Love You, I Don't). Date: October 01, 1975. Location: France. Image: Georges Pierre/Sygma.


Singer/Actress Melba Moore poses nude. Date: ca. 1971. Image: Jack Robinson/Conde Nast Archive.


Set of "Heat": Sylvia Miles and Joe Dallesandro by Andy Warhol Date: ca 1972. Image: The Andy Warhol Foundation.

Q & A Interview With Model Eeefy Ike

Eeefy is a successful model and actress who is today broadening her endeavors with a new book, a clothing line and a charitable foundation to aid burn victims around the world. Herself afflicted by terrible burns as a child, Eeefy has made creating more burn centers around the world, the primary goal in her life, even beyond her career in entertainment and fashion. Her New World Hope Foundation is today becoming a major force in bringing awareness to the need of medical facilities for burn victims in impoverished communities.

Eeefy was born in Nigeria. She’s the 13th of 17 children, six stepsiblings from father’s first marriage and three from mother’s first marriage. Her father is a retired mechanical engineer and politician, chief sir Wilfred Ike and mother, a retired fashion designer, Gladys Ike.

When she was just 3 years old, she sustained third-degree burns all over her stomach up to her chest area and legs in a violent attack. But due to the absence of burn centers in Nigeria and lack of funds to fly abroad for treatment, Eeefy was forced to live as an outcast with terrible pain and ugly scars.

Her zeal for life and eagerness to survive compelled her to eventually agree to get married at a tender age to a kind Italian engineer working on a contract in Nigeria. As soon as his contract ended, he acquired a visa for Eeefy and took her with him to Europe. That opportunity gave Eeefy a second chance for life and safety.

Although the marriage did not work out, Eeefy still sought to heal herself emotionally and physically, thus she came to the U.S. where she began medical treatments in early 2001. Soon she was encouraged to enter in the entertainment industry and quickly became a much sought-after model and actress.

Eeefy’s work included scores of television commercials for major brands such as Gillette shaving cream for men which aired in the U.S., United Kingdom, Europe and Africa for over two years. Other National television commercials included Burger King, Keglevich Vodka, Sauza Diablo Tequila, Comcast High Definition, Diesel Jeans and many others, including a Nokia International product launch. Most recently, her hands were also used for the Aroma product national infomercial.

Her work includes guest starring in the John Stamos 20th Century Fox television series, “Jake in Progress,” as well as a number of independent films.

Eeefy’s exquisite beauty has graced the pages of Beverly Hills Celebrity Society Magazine, Gazette Magazine-Montreal Canada, Getty Images, Wire Image and Flickr. Her memorable laughter was a ringtone for the “You Shake I Laugh” iPhone application produced by Roman Reyhani.

Eeefy’s strong presence, fusion accent and signature walk have also earned her several hosting and personal appearance engagements that range from hosting elite parties, exclusive private business events to sports events such as the Grand Prix, as well as appearances in several music videos. She has an excellent background as a consultant and spokes model for a variety of media projects including “Attitude and Catwalk,” “Lady Maxxa-The Golden host in Many Moons,” “Metropolis by Janelle Monae music video/short film with Anonymous Content/Treasure Entertainment.” She was a spokesperson and image consultant for “Catwalk Hollywood” project for Nigeria. She has appeared as a guest speaker in a “live” online talk show at outonline.com “The Real Zephyr” by Sidney Alvarez. Eeefy has also been a spokes model for world-famous jeweler, Ricardo Basta of Beverly Hills.

With an eagerness to motivate people and share her experiences in life, Eeefy has authored a motivational book which is in the process of being published and is finishing two other motivational books. She also wrote and produced a pilot of a TV show series and film named “Queen of the Jungle in Beverly Hills,” the story of an exotic African girl and her quest for fame and fortune in the Western world. Eeefy is also collaborating with a famous artist in Beverly Hills to design her own clothing and accessory line. In the near future she also plans to introduce “Eeefy’s doll” for little girls.

Excerpts:

Before we proceed, how about some history regarding yourself?

I was born in Port Harcourt. Grew up partly in Nigeria and partly in Europe and now I live in America but travel the world extensively.

How did a little girl growing up in Port Harcourt, had such a big dream, and got into entertainment and things like that. Where was the motivation from?

It was never a part of my aspiration to pursue a career in the entertainment industry; however, I heeded advice from friends to explore the industry because I realized it could be a vehicle I needed to achieve my ultimate goal, which is to build burn centers in countries that are lacking burn centers.

Your first book, “Peering Through The Depths Of Life” seems to be quite fascinating. Can you tell me about it and the idea behind it all?

“Peering Through the Depths of Life” is an inspirational book that covers relationship problems and life’s challenges. I choose to peer into various issues because they are everyday, common struggles that hinder and depress people and need to be addressed. The book is an easy read as the topics are brief and straight to the point, and the reader does not have to start from the beginning of the book, as every page tackles a new issue. The book is additionally perfect for references and it is also integrated with beautiful images of me that reflect my spirit, passion and style.

Why did you write “Peering Through The Depths Of Life” and what message are you sending to your readers?

I wrote Peering Through The Depths Of Life” out of the eagerness to help those that are struggling; by sharing my experiences that have allowed me to understand the causes and effects of pain in different aspects – those that are not normally recognized or dissected due to an individual’s confused state of mind during times of crisis. I’m hoping that my insight can help them to deal with their own problems effectively, so they can live a more meaningful life. What is the meaning of life when one’s soul is stifled?

I have learned that problems are inevitable parts of life and our experiences are the integral element of our mental growth and we must all confront those problems, no matter how difficult they may seem, by peering through the depths of their causes and objectively seeing ourselves and our actions as they really are in, order to find true solutions and ultimate peace.

What’s the most crucial thing a first-time writer should know?

As a writer, your vision must be clear.

I’d imagine with all the shows that you do – TV, radio, movies and other related events in Hollywood, it’s obvious you love what you do. Could you have done something differently assuming Hollywood was not a success story?

I’m also pursuing other interests that are unrelated to the entertainment industry. I’m collaborating with other people for skin care products and clothing line. I’m also making “Eeefy doll” for little girls.

In my case, I have heard too many bizarre stories about myself. What are the bizarre stories you heard about yourself and how did you take it?


Africans have labeled me mammy water (goddess of the sea) – they even go as far as writing things like “mammy water has left the sea where she’s supposed to be” under my photos on Facebook. Some even doubt I’m a real woman because my features are perfect. They have said that my accent is abnormal for whatever reason and that I dress too sexy to be a motivational speaker and ought to emulate Oprah’s style of dressing, since I’m like her – I assume the latter means my wisdom is compared to hers. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion; however, I’m immune to other people’s negative perception of my personality. No one governs my soul with his or her ignorance. It’s unfortunate that a person would invest so much time and energy in criticizing other people while he/she has flaws… It would be more beneficial for that person to channel that time and energy in looking into their life and improving on where there’s a lack.

Eeefy believes that if you invest time and energy speaking ill of someone else, that means that person is very significant to you and powerful enough to consume your time, energy and thoughts! Eeefy is not fazed by malicious criticisms because those that are swift to cast aspersions on others are weak spirits that aren’t worthy of acknowledgment and their intentions are usually to elevate their stifled soul, which may likely only be for a minute because when the laughs are over, they would revert back to their miserable state again. I DO NOT acknowledge such evil critics because they are of no consequence. I need time to apply my makeup, leggings and bustier and no time for the nonsensical. (Laughs!)
It’s ignorant of Africans or anyone to attribute beauty to a mermaid. As long as your beauty is uncommon, the spirit of a mermaid or an ogbanje spirit or any other spirit that they choose possesses you and you must have supernatural powers that they believe may be used for evil. It seems as if Africans expect everyone to look like the girl next door or to have a over-sized head, large lips and huge bum or big nose and walk like a duck. A woman is not allowed to possess extreme beauty and move with grace; else she’s labeled a supernatural being or even a witch, if they so please and perhaps a prostitute if the critics are extra intoxicated. Very distressing also is the fact that the majority of Africans do not like to see their fellow Africans happy or successful, so the wickedness and jealousy rooted in them is often provoked at the site of another African that seems to be happy and succeeding, whether that person is beautiful or not though it is worse if beauty is added to the package. Very sad indeed!
In addition to one having his or her own identity, there’s something called ‘image’ in the entertainment industry that is an integral component of an artist’s career, which must be adopted if one wants to have a long lived career. An artist does not have to fit into your box or conform to a conventional method of speaking or dressing, however people learn to respect the artist’s image just like they would expect their ways or personality to be respected by others. Everyone is unique in their own way, thus everybody cannot sound, look or think the same. No one is in this world to live up to anyone’s expectations. It’s only by chance that one person’s spirit resonates with another. Besides, what would stimulate our mind if we were all the same breed? Why do you gravitate to artists unless the simple fact that their personalities/careers intrigues or provokes your thoughts? Were they like you, you would not raise an eyelid or have gossip to peddle. Unfortunately many Africans are mostly inclined to the ignorance of not appreciating an artist’s image, and that’s simply because of their primitive mentality that I pray changes with time, so that they can support their children so they can thrive and not discourage their growth and deter their success with remorseless ignorance.

The Westerners are more appreciative of uniqueness because they understand image. Not that there aren’t Africans who appreciate me because I have very loving African fans as well. But my bizarre and even evil experiences have been with Africans… right from the tender age of 3. I was afflicted by the ignorance of African tradition, which is a common practice in Africa. They would kill you if you were singled out as an abnormal breed. Africans know what they do to children believed to be witches. The so called saints who kill or harm these children believe they are doing the right thing but they refuse to realize that destroying another person’s life is another form of witchcraft.

My accent is fusion and has been derived from extensive travel, living in different countries and speaking a few languages. It would be almost impossible to remain the same after all my experiences. Africans want you to be like them because you’re an African and if you’re not like them, then something is wrong with you. Ludicrous!!! I love who I am and would not change for this world that consists of people of various backgrounds, culture and mentality because pleasing everyone would be impossible. God has created me unique for my purpose in life and I WOULD NOT apologize for it. I relish my image, in spite of whatever flaws I may have.
I’m very honored to be compared to Oprah, who has been a big inspiration to my life. Having said that, I would not emulate Oprah’s style of dressing and personal presentation because I’m a different breed that possesses a different type of body. My style of dressing is in harmony with my personality and my physique and my lifestyle and career. It would be ignorant of me to adopt a style that does not suit me just to please others. I’m not one of those people that trudge through life swaying to the drumbeat of others and drowning in misery. I dance to my own music, so I can understand the rhythm that’s pleasing to my soul.

Furthermore, I’m born into a new era; a progressive world with evolution in technology that influences our viewpoints, interactions in business transactions, in the work environment, and even in social areas with others from different background and mentality. Personal presentation dictates other people’s instant assessment of one’s personality, thus diminishing or elevating one’s credibility. As a motivational speaker with eagerness to inspire the youths that are going astray or are broken, I have to also be welcoming and relative to them, at least in appearance. These types of youths can be found in many different types of areas – they are usually ensnared into environments that should be forbidden for their built-in dangers. For instance, I can walk into a whorehouse, a drug haven or a drinking bar, etc. and fit right in, even though I do not indulge in such destructive lifestyles. I would fit right in because my personal style and appearance would appeal to them, which is the kind of reception that would ease my mission to go and motivate them to unshackle themselves from such bondage and destruction. I walk in as a friend and make a positive impact in their lives. Do you think looking like Oprah would gain me the same reception?

Have you ever imagined that God created you the way you are for a reason? It’s important for you to know that everyone has a purpose in life and when you find your purpose, you ought to walk the walk, talk the talk and present yourself in the light that would lead you to fulfilling that purpose, Anything else would only steer you in a different direction or deter you from achieving your goal. When you pretend to please others, you’ll be hurting yourself in ways that are oblivious to you. Lack of self-awareness also hurts no one but you. Living in illusion is akin to living in exile from yourself.

What’s your impression of how Nollywood fits into the world stage of the entertainment industry?

Nollywood is very dramatic in African appreciation but not yet at the stage to resonate with the Western world, so Nollywood still has a lot of work to do to even assume any position on the world stage of the entertainment industry.

Yes Nollywood is growing; nonetheless, growth is extremely slow due to the following obvious reasons;

1. Lack of support from the Nigerian government is definitely a major hindrance for Nollywood. They need funds and a well-structured system to nurture the industry.

2. Their production quality is very poor, perhaps good enough for the African audience who would have to consider the economic situation of the country before casting criticisms at production quality. However, if Nollywood wants to appeal to a global market, then Nollywood needs to enhance its production quality. There are a few aspects I believe they can improve on to enhance the movie and elevate their standard, such as:

a). Actors should wear the right wardrobe that suits the role they play and that is integral to the scenes. This aspect of a production is an important instrument in telling the story

b). Makeup and hair should be in harmony with the characters as well.

c). Editors should re-evaluate their methods of editing. For example, their scores always overwhelms the conversations between actors in the film and viewers have to try hard to filter through the loud music to understand what is being said.

d). Your audience does not need to know every irrelevance during filming, hence the need to cut out the extra mile in editing. The audience is traveling a journey with you in the subconscious mind while you’re narrating the story so go straight to the point to avoid losing them along the way before you arrive at your destination.

e). The yelling is unnecessary. Film differs from theater, thus the range of tones and body language needs to be controlled. For film, an actor needs to be subtle in delivery, as the camera tends to magnify every little movement. Theater is an open space, hence the requirement to be extra dramatic and even lurid in delivery, in order to fill up the room.

3. Piracy is drowning the industry. How can the industry possibly grow when she’s persistently robbed? Nigerian government desperately needs to take control of that piracy.

4. Nollywood lacks originality. Perhaps they should tell traditional stories if that’s what it takes to refrain from reenacting Hollywood stories and in such mediocre forms like they do. They ought to stop using names of Hollywood celebrities to identify their characters. Naturally, as Africans, we are very dramatic -- our lifestyles and mannerisms are enough to fill up the screen and intrigue the audience, thus we do not need to redo Hollywood stories. There are many aspects of our tradition that are equally worthy of projecting unto the screen just like Hollywood stories.

Let’s talk about Nollywood acclaimed to be the third movie industry on the face of this planet, after Bollywood and Hollywood. How could with only home videos and no theatres? What’s your take on that?

Nollywood is the third movie industry in the world even with the lack of theaters and quality production simply because they dish out thousands of films every year unlike the other industries that are more inclined to quality instead of quantity.

What was the highlight of the radio interview on “What’s Cooking Today”?

The highlight was the good questions they asked about my inspirational book “Peering Through the Depths of Life” that is set to be released on the 21 July, 2011 on Amazon.com.

Let’s talk about “Ask Ify.” If you were to stop doing it suddenly, what do you think the fans’ reaction would be?

I stopped the experimental videos already because I got what I wanted from them and you’ll understand in a short time. Though my fans are still sending in questions and expressing disappointment for my sudden retreat. I have kept “Ask Eeefy” alive through my blog posts on Facebook because my soul delights in inspiring others.

What projects are you working on now?

I’m working on 3 inspirational books that will be released 6 months apart. My foundation “Eeefy’s New World Hope Foundation --- preventing further injury and death from superstition” will be launched this Fall! I’m also working on a comedy film, ‘The Queen Of The Jungle In Beverly Hills’, and my line of apparel and skin care products. I do wear some of my designs “Eeefy by Giorgio Tuscani”. My designer is a famed artist in Beverly Hills, known for immortalizing celebrities on canvas. He actually immortalized 2 gorgeous angel images of me and donated them to my foundation. They will be unveiled during the launching of the foundation.

Portrait: Celebrity Nudity

Actress and singer Taraji P. Henson poses nude for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign against animal cruelty. Hollywood Billboard. Date: January 2011. Location: Hollywood, CA


Set of La Belle Noiseuse
French actress Emmanuelle Beart on the set of La Belle Noiseuse directed and writen by Jacques Rivette. Photographer: Moune Jamet. Date: July 16, 1990.Location: Assas, Herault, France.


Breasts exposed, singer,songwriter, actress, model and 'It Girl' Anouska de Georgiou customises her party dress by cutting off the label with a kitchen knife inside her apartment in London's trendy Portobello Road before Sir Elton John's summer party in Notting Hill, London, England in June 2005. Phtographer: Joycelyn Bain Hogg. Date: June 01, 2005. Location: London, England.


On the Set of "La Femme publique"
French actress Valérie Kaprisky on the set of "La Femme publique" (The Public Woman), directed by Andrzej Zulawski. Photographer: Etienne George. Location: Paris, France. Date: September 1983

Portrait: Nudity and Beauty (MM)

Tom Waits:
Sitting in a burlesque show dressing room with stripper in background between sets. Waits played here and alternated sets with the burlesque show. This is probably at the THE COPACABANA or another burlesque show on the lower east side circa 1970. Date: 1970. Photographer: Joel Brodsky. Historical Premium Collection.


Nude Portrait of Alice Wilkee:
Claudia Dell poses for an artistic nude shot, draped with fabric and wearing a turban. Date 1930s. Historical Collection.


Woman lying in fetal position in bed. Photographer: John Francis Bourke. Date: Unknown.


Minette or Marie Christini Roux, photographed by Nadar, 1858. French photographer Nadar is noted for his outstanding photographs, mostly portraits, taken between 1854 and 1870, and his ability to capture the 'character' of his subject. Date: 1858. Location: France. Photographer: Nadar. A Hulton-Deutsch Collection


Chinese student and nude model Su Zizi poses nude in the fish tank during a photography session at a studio in Beijing, China, 6 January 2011. A college student paid her tuition fees by posing as in naked model portraits, sparking a heated discussion online, Beijing News reported. Su zizi (not her real name) is a sophomore at the influential Renmin University in China. She threw a small exhibition named Who Am I at the end of 2010 at her university, demonstrating some of her nude portraits. I have to support myself during study. I can get 500 yuan (US$75) for each set of naked pictures. she said, at the very first, I was so nervous about others reaction to me, but later on I know how to protect myself and my family, such as signing a contract, which means if the images are distributed by studios they will face legal penalties. But not everyone understands her. Location: Beijing, China. Date: January 06, 2011. Imagine China...