Actress Faith Duke, talks about her career, background in pharmacy, and other issues, reports Saturday PUNCH.
Excerpts:
What first made you want to be an actress?
I grew up in a Christian and religious home. My dad is an Anglican priest, so we were all expected to join a particular group in church. I chose the drama group because my mum was also a member.
I was quite a shy child, but I still participated in drama and related activities. I think that experience was what sparked my interest in acting.
You trained as a pharmacist. What made you add acting and film production to your career path?
Honestly, it started with boredom. When I first got to Nigeria, I was really bored and wanted something to keep me busy while I waited for my (pharmaceutical) license.
I called a friend and told her I wanted to start something—maybe a business or anything engaging. She suggested acting, since I already liked it. She asked if I thought I could do it, and I said “yes”. Even though I was shy, I just wanted something that would get me out of the house, and that’s how it began.
Do you still practise as a pharmacist?
Yes, I do — at home, in my husband’s house (laughs).
Which role has challenged you the most as an actor?
‘Love Potion’, a film I did for Frederic Leonard TV. That role pushed me to my limits. In fact, the next day, I temporarily lost my sight because of how much I cried during filming. My eyes were so swollen that I couldn’t shoot, and my sisters had to take me to the hospital. I was given medication, and thankfully, the swelling went down.
It was intense because, unlike other roles where I could control my emotions, I completely embodied that character. I wore the role like a second skin.
You’ve starred in and produced films. How do you decide which projects to act in versus produce?
Faith Duke TV is not just mine; it’s also my husband’s. He is my biggest supporter and always wants me involved in our projects. For now, most of the films on the platform feature me because my audience is largely built there. However, we plan to expand and include more diverse projects going forward.
Have you faced challenges with investors or budgets as regards financing your films?
I prefer not to involve investors. Production is already a big risk, with no guarantee of returns, so I’d rather take that risk myself. I fund my projects, release them on my platform, and if they don’t perform as expected, I can sell them to other channels.
That way, I maintain control. Sometimes, the returns are huge, and other times, I just recover my capital, but there’s always a balance.
How has piracy affected your projects?
Piracy has affected me significantly. I’ve seen my films— uploaded on YouTube — being aired on TV stations in Ghana without permission. Then, you go to the comment section and see people saying they watched it elsewhere.
At the end of the day, you spend money producing these films, so when people watch them outside your platform, you lose income. It’s frustrating, and I really wish those stations would stop airing content they didn’t pay for.
Which of your films best represents you as an actor?
‘Capture My Heart’ is very personal because it deals with domestic violence, and I lost an aunt to that. Playing that role was emotionally overwhelming, but I gave it my all.
Who are some actors you’ve enjoyed working with?
I have enjoyed working with Prisma James, John Ekene, Frederick Leonard, and Pamela Okoye. They’re all friends, and the working experience is always great.
How did building your own platform on YouTube shape your career?
It is honestly God’s doing. I started the channel about a year into my career, around 2023–2024, when it wasn’t common for actors in Nollywood to run personal platforms.
A lot of people discouraged me and said I should give up, but I stayed true to my name — Faith. I chose to move by faith, not by sight, and it has paid off.
With so many new faces in Nollywood, how are you carving out your identity?
I believe I’m unique in my own way — my personality, look, and even my acting style. I don’t feel pressured to do too much. The people who connect with my work, connect with it naturally. I just stay true to myself.
Have you ever felt overshadowed by a co-star?
Before going on set, I always find out who I’ll be working with. If the actor is exceptionally good, I prepare even harder.
Frederick Leonard is one actor who pushes me to bring my A-game. Whenever I’m on set with him, I make sure I “come correct.”
Have you ever experienced online harassment?
Yes, I have been trolled before, especially after my marriage. I have never shared this publicly, but four months into my marriage, I had a miscarriage. Before that, I was pregnant, and people on TikTok were body-shaming me, calling me fat and commenting on my stomach.
They had no idea what I was going through. That was a difficult time for me.
Have you had any disagreements with colleagues?
I have never had any physical confrontation. I believe in maintaining cordial relationships. If there’s an issue, I address it calmly and privately. That way, there’s no awkwardness later.
Do you think your physique affects the roles you get?
Not at all. I’m six feet tall, and my weight fluctuates. Sometimes I’m slim, other times I’m bigger; it varies. But my body hasn’t limited my roles.
There was a role where I had to lose weight to fit the character better, and I did that within a month. At the end of the day, we’re telling stories, and sometimes, physical appearance matters for visual storytelling.
How has marriage influenced your life and career?
Not much has changed. I was in a long-term relationship with my husband before we got married, so it already felt like marriage.
Was your family supportive of your move into Nollywood?
Yes. My father has always been supportive, and believes in letting you choose your own path.
Do you think relationships in the public eye are harder to sustain?
It’s not just actors; any relationship that is constantly in the public eye will face pressure. That’s why I keep my relationship private.
People know I’m married, but I don’t share too much. Once you put everything out there, people form opinions and create unnecessary drama. That said, even private relationships can face challenges. At the end of the day, we just pray for genuine love and understanding.
Have you ever cut off someone who wasn’t good for your mental and emotional peace?
Yes, I have. I realised the friendship had become unhealthy; it was filled with constant comparison. She was always measuring her progress against mine, and it made me uncomfortable. Whenever something good happened to me, I could sense negativity from her. Over time, it began to affect me mentally, so I made the decision to let go.
What are your three non-negotiable boundaries in any relationship?
In friendships, my boundaries are simple: don’t talk down on me, don’t yell at me — I can hear you perfectly if you speak calmly; and don’t involve my husband in our conversations.
In marriage, my boundaries are also clear: don’t hit me, and always be kind.
When you look back at when you first entered Nollywood, what major difference do you see now?
I see a much more confident version of myself. It’s been about three years, and there’s a significant difference. My life is quieter now. Back then, I wanted to go out, party, and be everywhere. Now, I value my rest. Any opportunity I get to sleep, I take it. I’m more settled and focused.
What moments in your journey made you realise you were becoming stronger?
I used to be very emotional, but now I’ve learnt to express myself better. Instead of bottling things up, I can say, “You’ve crossed a line,” or “What you said hurt me, please don’t repeat it.”
I may still go home and cry sometimes, but I now communicate my feelings clearly. That’s growth for me.
How do you see yourself evolving in Nollywood over the next three years?
You should expect to see more films that I’ve acted in, as well as more projects I’ve produced.
What kind of films or roles would you love to take on?
I would love to act in a movie like ‘Nneka the Pretty Serpent’. I connect with that kind of story, and I believe I can fully embody such a character, especially the emotional and seductive depth it requires. It’s a role I know I would deliver exceptionally well.
What do you want people to remember the most about your journey?
I want people to understand that there is a higher power guiding everything in life. There’s no need to stress over things you can’t control. When the time is right, everything will fall into place.
That belief has shaped my journey. I once wanted to study Medicine and Surgery at a university in the Philippines, but my visa was denied multiple times over the course of more than a year. It was frustrating. Then, unexpectedly, I had a dream where I saw myself arriving somewhere wearing an Indian sari, even though I had no plans of going to India.
Later, someone suggested I try India for my studies. I applied, and everything happened almost instantly — admission, visa, everything. It was effortless compared to my previous experience.
When I eventually returned to Nigeria, I had no intention of entering the entertainment industry. I only started acting to keep myself busy while waiting for my pharmacy license. But somehow, it became something much bigger.
Even my father initially supported it because he saw it as a temporary engagement. But today, it has grown into something meaningful. That’s why I strongly believe in the scripture: ‘When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen’. That perfectly sums up my life.
[Interview culled from The Punch newspapers ]
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