Actress Magdaline Adamu Shinne is one of the few northern Nigerian actresses in Nollywood who recently made it to Hollywood, probably the first actress of northern extraction to be there. In this interview, she talks about her career and an incident that nearly ruined her acting career.
Who is Magdaline Adamu Shinna?
I am a Nollywood as well as a Hollywood actress, a model, an entrepreneur and the founder of Shinna Hope Foundation.
I had my primary and secondary school education in Jos Plateau State, though I didn’t finish there. I relocated to Kaduna where I completed my secondary school before starting a career in acting and modeling.
I haven’t started my university education yet, but I have secured an admission in the USA, and I hope to be in school by next year.
How did you venture into acting?
I started acting in 2006. This started from church during my primary and secondary school days. I gradually became a popular face in virtually all the schools in Kaduna State, especially in Zaria. I was part of the school’s drama group. That was how my acting career started and here I am today, taking it up professionally.
Why did you choose Nollywood and not Kannywood?
Of course, I am a Kannywood actress because I have done several Kannywood films as well. It all started when I acted in a Nigerian movie and I played the role of a spoiled daughter of a wealthy Hausa man. In the movie, I chipped-in Hausa language to show a Hausa family setting. Many do not know that I am from the North, people were surprised and started asking questions if I am from the North or I just know how to speak Hausa.
When some stakeholders in Kannywood got to know that I am from the North, they contacted me. I acted in ‘Labarin Asabe, Asibiti, Aminina, Taurarin Boye’ and a host of others. I have acted in so many Hausa movies and series and they are still trending till date.
Tell us some of the Nollywood movies you featured in?
They include ‘Pretty Girls’, ‘Can’t Scream’, ‘Sinner’, ‘The Games Women Play’, ‘Whichever One’ and many others.
For how long have you been in the limelight?
I would say for five years now. Initially, I wasn’t serious about it but now that the business is getting real and more rewarding, I am giving it all my time and energy, and that is why I said professionally, it is about five years now.
What would you say are the challenges you faced within these five years?
Well, life comes with a lot of challenges, so one really needs to be strong and focused on whatever he or she is doing, because if you really want to be up there, you have to be focused and never give up. Personally, I have faced a lot of challenges as an actress and as a model from the Northern part of Nigeria.
One of the challenges is usually at the auditions, where you meet hundreds of artists with great talents as well. At this point, you just have to give your best or you are out.
Sometimes, you have to go for an audition five, six, ten times and if you are lucky and good, you may be picked for just two movies. You may not even be paid at the end of the day, and you will feel like you are okay.
Do you mean actors and actresses play roles without being paid?
There is this phrase we hear a lot during movie auditions and we are used to it. ‘We are trying to help you.’ It sounds like an insult but because this is all about passion, we don’t see it as anything. However, if the movie is aired and probably becomes a hit, it can give you the breakthrough you need in your career.
It may interest you to know that it was one of the movies that I acted without being paid that landed me a role in Hollywood. So, whenever you are starting out at something, don’t put money first, just do it and let your fate decide the future.
Tell us about your Hollywood role?
I have three Hollywood movies coming up soon. I just returned from Dubai where we acted in one of the movies.
You know Hollywood movies are not like our movie industries, it takes some time before it gets released into the market,
You were absent from the industry for a while. What happened?
A lot. First, I was away in Dubai shooting the Hollywood movie I told you about earlier, and unfortunately, when I returned, my house got burnt with my two cars. I lost almost everything, but thank God no life was lost. So, that really affected me.
However, I’m gradually picking up the pieces, accepting reality and moving on with my life. What is lost is lost. Life must go on. I am trying to bounce back because I obviously can’t continue living in the past. To be honest, the fire incident nearly ended my career, because I lost almost everything.
About your modeling career, how far have you gone?
I have really gone far. My clients are rest assured that my best is yet to come and I believe by God grace, in a few years, I should be at the peak of my modeling career because I have great movies that are coming out not even from here but from Hollywood and that will surely give me an edge.
You are known for being natural. Can you tell us the secret?
You see, I have noticed some comments that fans usually make when they meet their favourite stars in real life. These comments are usually not pleasant. For instance, they sometimes show their disappointment on how these stars look in real life. That was part of why I decided to remain natural.
When you see me with makeup, it is usually when I am doing a photo shoot for my clients and after I am done, I clean it up.
Is Madeline currently in any serious relationship?
I am not in any relationship right now. I don’t have a boyfriend, that is the truth.
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