Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Applause
27
Being a single parent is very challenging
–Alex Okoroji ADAEZE AMOS
A
ny lady in the shoes of Alex Okoroji, the daughter of Chief Tony Okoroji, the President of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), would hate ever going into marriage. An actress, soap opera queen, single mother of one, Guess, Alex marriage with the father of her only son crashed. Indeed, it didn’t stand the test of time before it hit the rocks. Ironically, her opinion about marriage is interestingly positive. According to her, marriage as an institution made by God, is a beautiful thing. “I know that marriage can be beautiful, regardless of the fact that I had one that didn’t work out. All I can say is that relationships/marriages are complex than our fickle minds can fathom. So, I want that special person whose presence will add value to my life, who understands me, shares the same ideology plus dreams with me and is willing to stand by me and fight for me when it gets tough,” she emphasised. Having gone through a turbulent relationship, you may wonder why she wants to try marriage again. “Being a single parent is very challenging in so many ways because I’m playing double role and it gets tedious. I not only have to bear the financial responsibility of raising my child by myself, I also have to make unilateral decisions that should be made by both parents. Honestly, as
strong as I am, I’m starting to realise there are things I can’t teach my son; like how to play soccer, fight mortal combat on Play Station or just how to be a great young man. I can teach and guide him in that direction. But I can’t show him by example, because at the end of the day, I might be a strong woman, good mother but that’s what I am...a mother, not a father. I will have to someday give a good man a chance to be a great father to him,” she desired. Is she actually happy being a mother with all these challenges she mentioned? “Being a mother makes me happy because I find everything I need in that role. I get the love I deserve from my child. I can be a caretaker, leader, guardian, friend and everything to him,” she grimaced. But that is not all that makes her happy as a woman. Her acting career and writing skills thrill her. “Actually both of them give me joy. The only difference is that I have more control over what I share with my audience through my writing than I do with acting....because the roles are based upon someone else’s literary interpretation of a given scenario, which I simply internalise and breathe life into,” she said. But when did she discover she could actually write? “I actually discovered that in high school, JSS 3 to be exact. I started by writing soft romantic stories, poetry and songs for my girl band ‘The Alternate’. I was the lead singer and songwriter of a teenage band and I also used to have all my classmates read my written amateur novels. Which they really loved,” she laughed, loudly. Some of her erotic write-ups on her blog were motivated by both her personal experience and those of friends. “I will be honest. I’m not a hypocrite. Most of my blog articles (whether erotic or inspirational) come mostly from my personal experience (that’s why it’s ALEXANDRA N’ HER NAKED THOUGHTS!), also the experience of others that I’ve been privy to and a little creative imagination to garnish it up,” she explained. If she wasn’t an actress and writer she would have been a musician. “I would have been the lead singer of a girl band. Seriously, I would have been a musician,” she said. There are lots of beautiful things about this diva that most people don’t know. “Most people don’t know that I love
to cook; that I’m an awesome dancer and quite a good singer. Outside my chirpy exterior, there’s really a quiet person who loves her space and solitude. I also honestly think some people underestimate my talent, loyalty and beauty...by that, I mean my internal beauty. The beauty of character,” she enthused. You may be wondering how this mother of one combines motherhood with her acting career and writing. “Combining motherhood with my acting career is not a walk in the park. I’m honestly in awe of great women like Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Omoni Oboli, Stella Damasus, Monalisa Chinda, Shan George and other great women within and outside the industry who have been able to juggle them both effortlessly. I believe I’ve finally been able to settle into a comfortable arrangement that now works for me,”she said. Her daddy, Chief Okoroji, used to be a popular musician in the 80s. Why didn’t she opt for music in the first place? “Everyone expected me to toe that line....not just because my dad was a popular musician but because it is evident, I also took some of his musical genes. Still I would say that I like the direction my creative career is taking as an entertainer. We never know, this bird might sing someday soon. For now, I’m concentrating on lending my talents to the creative community at large. But I’m honoured to be born to a man as great as him… someone who is dogged in his beliefs and character, who’s not afraid to get things done the right way. In all honesty, this country lacks too many of his type,” she said. Recounting her educational background wasn’t difficult at all. “ I attended St Leo’s Catholic Primary School Ikeja, Lagos. From there, I left for Federal Government Girls’ College, Akure; back to Tender-Touch College, Festac, Lagos where I graduated in high school. From Lagos State University, I went to Madonna University to study Biochemistry. My father says knowledge is from birth to death. I have to agree. To be honest, everything I know right now, I learnt for free at the College of Life. Life experience has taught me a lot. I do have plans to go to film school though. I deferred my New York Film Academy admission for a year. Maybe, after achieving that, I might pursue another degree in Intellectual Property Law,” she said. With poetic ease, she spoke about her style. “My personal style is really a balance of my personality. Not overstated, not understated, just comfortable enough to fit in anywhere; sexy enough to get your attention and classy enough to retain my respect. I’m not into trend. I just create my own fashion attitude. I’m the ultimate classic chic,” she said smilingly.