If at all there is any foreign actress making waves today in Nollywood, it is definitely Lyon Matt Tita, the sexpot from Yaounde, Cameroon. Barely a year in Nollywood, the curvy and busty star of Sound of Silence, has thrilled and tantalized movie buffs in over a dozen hit movies. “I joined Nollywood in 2004 when I came to Nigeria first, for a visit. I started with Hearts on Fire. I’m the third child from a family of six. Dad is a personal adviser to the Prime Minister, while mum is a full time housewife. Initially, dad was not interested in me being an actress, but I had to make him like what I want for myself”, divulges the Journalism and Communication graduate.
Tantalising Tita who is also of the view that Nigerian men are more romantic than their Cameroonian counterparts, further confesses that most Nigerian men she had come across find some parts of her body irresistible. “For romance, I think Nigerian men are more romantic. It is so because they know what to tell a woman. Even if they are lying, it is so sweet that you would want to hear more of the lies. The only thing is that I get embarrassed with their overtures. It is not so in Cameroon. It also seems to me that Nigerian men love and enjoy admiring my boobs and backside a lot… They embarrass me a lot with their roving eyes” she fires amid laughter.
The fledging actress who is currently mesmerizing Nollywood with her “natural endowments,” also reveals in this thrilling interview with Azuh Amatus, the Romeo in her life: “He is a Nigerian and I like him a lot.” 23-year-old Tita, in this her first ever interview in Nigeria, also opened up on a lot of things hitherto unknown about herself, career, family, and love life.
Enjoy the interaction!
Hi and what is your name?
(Smiles) I’m Lyon Matt Tita, a Nollywood actress from Cameroon.
When did you come into Nigeria and Nollywood?
I came in last year for a visit and eventually joined Nollywood when I featured in “Hearts On Fire” produced by Emeka Label. I later went back to my country and my people started calling and telling me they saw me in a Nigerian movie. I was excited and that made me to come back and join Nollywood fully.
Tell us more about yourself and family background.
I’m from a family of six, three at par. I’m the third in my family. My dad is one of the personal advisers to the Prime minister. Mum is a full time housewife.
Did they approve of your coming to Nigeria to act?
Not really. But I told them I was coming to Nigeria to act. My dad was not interested in me being an actress, but I had to make him like what I like doing. I always pursue strongly whatever I want to do no matter the pressures. In fact, my dad was angry at first. But he is gradually getting used to it.
When did you visit Cameroon last?
I traveled last in December 2004, but before then I had been going and coming.
How old are you?
I am 23 years old. I was born on March 14.
What is your academic background like and where did you school?
I did all my schooling in Cameroon. I studied Journalism and Communication at the University. But I said I was not going to practice, it is all about what I want for myself. I’ve always dreamt of being an actress…
How did you maneuver your way into Nollywood?
Ehm! When I came into Nigeria first on a visit, I did not know anybody. My girlfriend introduced me to her in-law and the in-law now introduced me to Emeka Label and that was how I maneuvered my way into Nollywood, if I may borrow your word. (General Laughter) While on the set of Label’s movie, I got another role and that was how the whole romance with Nollywood started.
So, how many movies have you featured in since your arrival?
I’ve featured in over fifteen movies since my arrival last year and more are still coming my way. Another edge, which I have, is the fact that I speak both English and French fluently.
Currently what are you doing?
I just finished a movie with Emeka Label titled “Blood Of An Armed Robber.” I acted alongside Chidi Mokeme, Justus Esiri, Maureen Solomon, Ngozi Ezeonu and many others. I played the role of a spoilt brat in the movie.
And how would you describe the experience on set?
It was fun and interesting. We were like one big family on set. Minus the occasional stress, everything went well on set.
What have been the major challenges you have encountered on sets so far?
I think the major challenges come when the director tells you to take your lines very impromptu. Such unprepared line taking usually challenges me a lot. Also, then that I was still new, acting alongside stars usually makes me to forget my lines. Then, I was star-struck. But I’ve come over it now.
What actually made you abandon Cameroon for Nollywood?
The lure of acting and showbiz in general. In my country, we don’t really have a movie industry.
(Cuts in) Do you have the intentions of going back home to develop your movie industry in the nearest future?
No! Because in my country, people there are not like Nigerians, they are not that hard working. We like enjoyment and do not like striving further. We are always okay with what we have. It is not very profitable doing a film in Cameroon, they don’t have much money like Nigerians, and we are just okay. It is also very hard to get people to give out their houses in Cameroon as locations.
As a pretty lady, how do you cope with Nigerian men?
I cope very well with them. They always admire and I end up telling them thank you.
Currently, are you dating somebody?
Yeah! I have a Nigerian boyfriend. You don’t expect me to reside here and date a Cameroonian.
Tell us more about him. Is he an actor?
No! He is not an actor. He is a businessman from Anambra State. We’ve been on for like eight months now.
Is the romance going to lead to marriage?
Well, I don’t know about that for now. But I like him a lot. And we have not really talked about marriage.
And what if he proposes to you?
(Thinks) If he proposes to me? Yeah! I could marry him (Giggles)
Is he the first guy you will be dating in Nigeria?
Not really! He is my second Nigerian guy. My first guy, we fell apart because we were incompatible. Don’t you think you are making me talk much on my private live?
So, between Nigerian and Cameroonian guys who are better lovers when it comes to romance?
It depends on how you look at it. For romance, I think Nigerian guys are more romantic, it so because they know what to tell a woman. Even if they are lying, it is so sweet that you would want to hear more of the lies. The only thing is that sometimes I get embarrassed with overtures from Nigerian guys. It is not so in Cameroon. It also seems to me that Nigerian men love my boobs and backsides a lot. They embarrass me a lot with their roving eyes whenever I’m walking on the streets.
On a sincere note, are your boobs natural or artificial? They look like they have gone under the surgeon’s knife?
God forbid! They are natural endowment from God (points at them). Most Cameroonian girls are busty. I didn’t know it was that big until I came to Nigeria. (Another Bout Of Laughter)
Have you ever been harassed sexually by Nigerian movie producers and directors?
No! I’ve heard so much about harassments in Nollywood, but it has never happened to me. No producer, director has ever harassed me sexually. Of course, some of them had made their intentions of going out with me known, but I usually tell them no vacancy, because I’m currently dating somebody.
Can you play nude roles in movies?
No! Remember we are Africans and not Europeans or Americans. It is very un-African to do such things in movies. May be, if I was born there, it would have been a different ball game…
As a foreigner, what is your assessment of Nollywood?
Yeah! Nollywood is wonderful we are making waves. I also love their attitude to work here in Nollywood. They work very hard.
But what trips you in a guy?
(Laughs) A guy that likes and respects my wishes trips me. I like a guy that genuinely likes me. In fact, I like tall dark guys. They trip me a lot.
But would your parents allow you marry a Nigerian guy?
Why not. For them, it does not really matter. They are very liberal.
If you were not into showbiz today, what else would you have been doing?
May be, I would have been an international businesswoman. I like the fashion business a lot.
What are your phobias?
For me, I don’t know if it is really a phobia, which is what I hate most, disrespect. It hurts me a lot whenever somebody disrespects me. Respect they say is reciprocal, so, if I respect you, you should also respect me in return. I detest people who are so disrespectful and arrogant. I respect people a lot, so I expect people to respect me.
Who are your role models in Nollywood?
I look up to Bimbo Akintola and also her command of the English language. In fact, people who speak very good English trips me a lot. I also like her acting. I also like Clarion Chukwura. I also like Liz Benson; she is very pretty and acts very well. I also like Ramsey Noah’s style of acting and also RMD.
Have you been privileged to act alongside any of these your role models?
Okay! I’ve acted with RMD in Behind Closed Doors, also with Clarion Chukwura.
What are your future goals as a rising actress in Nollywood?
Hmh! Basically, to get to the highest level of my career, make a lot of money and make a global impact. I also want to have a happy family.
So, marriage is on your mind?
Yeah. But not now I want to get married at the age of 27. It might be with this same guy or any other lucky guy. Not preferably a Nigerian, anybody that I like, I get married to.
If given the opportunity, would you like to produce your own movie?
For now, no! May be, later in life. I’m not interested in it now. For me, I feel producing should be the work of trained producers. I’m okay being an actress.
Which Nigerian meals are you down with?
I like Ukazi soup a lot with eba. We have Ukazi in Cameroon, but it is not same name.
You did not tell us the name of your university.
I attended University of Boyen in Cameroon. And my stay in school was quite fun and adventurous. I will soon go back to further my education.
Are there some things going on in Nollywood that you don’t like and wants it corrected?
On the issue of sexual harassments by producers and directors, people should stop having it at the back of their minds that producers and directors harass people for sex before giving them roles. From my own experience, it is not true. Directors and producers are just human beings. If they admire you, I see nothing wrong with that. Admiring you does not mean a producer wants to sleep with you. With patience and hard work, you can really get to the top of your career without having to sleep with anybody.
How much were you paid in your first movie?
I was paid N3, 000, on the set of Hearts On Fire. But you don’t expect me to tell you my highest fee since I came in?
Have you dated any Nollywood star?
(Laughs) No! They are my friends and we relate well on any set we meet ourselves.
How soon are you going to set again?
Very soon. I’m currently discussing with some producers. As soon as we are through with the negotiations, I will be storming set again. It’s been quite a busy year for me.
In less than one year, you have featured in over a dozen movies. What is the secret?
It is also surprising to me. But I see the hand of God and being determined in it all. From the beginning, I told myself that Nollywood is where I really want to be. So, I started working hard towards achieving that dream. Again, I did not put money first when I came in, I said let me face the career because I knew money will come at the right time. And today, it is paying off very well. I’m just beginning, so I’m still striving to do more in Nollywood. It is a very competitive industry full of challenges, and you must continue to work hard if you want to remain here. I’m also lucky…
Aside acting, what else are you into?
I act, model and do small buying and selling once in a while. I also want to be more serious with my modeling career.
Then that you newly came into Nollywood, what were the major problems that you encountered?
Nothing much. Of course, you will have to start with minor roles before getting big ones. Luckily for me, communication was not the problem, because I speak fluent English and French. It was just a problem of getting the right producer or people to work with, which I was so lucky to have. I’m happy with my little success in Nollywood. With patience, prayers and hard work, you will make it in Nollywood. I knew why I’m in Nollywood and I’m facing that which brought me into Nollywood.
Which among your movies has really challenged you?
They have all been challenging, as in they come with their peculiar kind of challenges. Starting from my first movie, Hearts on Fire, to Behind Closed Doors, Girls in The Hood, Deadly Decision, Critical Decision, Sound Of Silence and others, they were all challenging to me.
Are there things you hate about yourself?
I don’t think so. I’m so pleased and very happy with the way God created me. Even if I hate anything, I can’t question God.
How much were you paid in your last movie?
My big secret! It is strictly personal between my producer and me. At least, they tried. The pay increases with each new job. Like I told you, it is the passion for the job first, before any other thing. But I’m not saying that producers should not pay me very well o! (General laughter)
Any regrets in life today?
Regrets? I don’t think there is any for now. I’m a positive thinker who believes in forging ahead and not dwelling in the past or brooding over past events.
Have you ever been embarrassed on set?
Why would somebody want to embarrass me on set? I respect myself a lot and nobody has ever embarrassed me on or off set. Like I told you I hate and avoid those who do not have respect for people, especially for ladies.
First published July 2005.
