Award winning Ghanaian
celebrity actor, Majid Michel loves his wife truly, you need to read what he said about her in this new interview with ENCOMIUM.
celebrity actor, Majid Michel loves his wife truly, you need to read what he said about her in this new interview with ENCOMIUM.
The father of two beautiful daughters, Kiera
and Zara also opened up on the death of his mother, Mrs. Paulina Olympio,
whom he misses so much because she played an important role in shaping
him into the kind of husband and father he has become by introducing him
to God at an early age.
and Zara also opened up on the death of his mother, Mrs. Paulina Olympio,
whom he misses so much because she played an important role in shaping
him into the kind of husband and father he has become by introducing him
to God at an early age.
See excerpts below:
Tell us about your childhood and what growing up was for you with nine other siblings under the same roof?
I grew up with 10 siblings, we were 11 and one died. So, I grew up with 10 of them, six boys and four girls.
What is your position?
I
am the last born. I would say my future was purely based on how I grew
up. It was movies after movies, books after books, music after music,
entertainment after entertainment and there was nothing else to do at
home. Basically, it was a big entertainment family, that’s how I turned
out to be an actor.
am the last born. I would say my future was purely based on how I grew
up. It was movies after movies, books after books, music after music,
entertainment after entertainment and there was nothing else to do at
home. Basically, it was a big entertainment family, that’s how I turned
out to be an actor.
Was it your childhood ambition?
Yes, it was.
What kind of relationship existed between you and your late mom?
I
was the closest to my mom. After my dad died, she never remarried. All
my siblings were abroad and I was here with my sister who was in
secondary school. I was with my mom throughout. I spent most of my time
with her everywhere she went, I was very close to my mom.
was the closest to my mom. After my dad died, she never remarried. All
my siblings were abroad and I was here with my sister who was in
secondary school. I was with my mom throughout. I spent most of my time
with her everywhere she went, I was very close to my mom.
Did she give you the necessary support when you decided to go into acting?
I
went to a film school and she paid my fees. She paid all my school
fees during film school and gave me the necessary support and
encouragement I needed to make it out there.
went to a film school and she paid my fees. She paid all my school
fees during film school and gave me the necessary support and
encouragement I needed to make it out there.
Can
you share some of the advice she gave you on marital issues and your
career that you hold on to, even though she is no longer alive?
you share some of the advice she gave you on marital issues and your
career that you hold on to, even though she is no longer alive?
I
always hear people saying there is not enough time. I believe there is
always time, you just have to get your priorities right. Put the most
important things first and there will always be time. That depends on
your values. If you value your car, you will service it every month, and
if you value your marriage you will do things that will keep it going.
If you value your family, you would do things that will keep your family
together, but it depends on where your values are. So, you have to
redefine your values by doing exactly what is most important.
always hear people saying there is not enough time. I believe there is
always time, you just have to get your priorities right. Put the most
important things first and there will always be time. That depends on
your values. If you value your car, you will service it every month, and
if you value your marriage you will do things that will keep it going.
If you value your family, you would do things that will keep your family
together, but it depends on where your values are. So, you have to
redefine your values by doing exactly what is most important.
Tell us about your daughters. Which one of them is likely to follow your footsteps?
I have two beautiful daughters; Keira and Zara. The first born said she wants to be a film director not an actor (laughs)
Did you ask her why she wants to be a director and not an actor?
She’s
done a couple of advertisements and I’m sure she admires what the
director does on set (laughs). Probably, it’s because of what she saw on
set. She might change her mind.
done a couple of advertisements and I’m sure she admires what the
director does on set (laughs). Probably, it’s because of what she saw on
set. She might change her mind.
What are the fondest memories of your mom you hold dearly?
She
introduced me to Christ, she introduced me to the church and I promised
her in my speech at her funeral, that there is something I must
accomplish to let the world know what she introduced me to which is a
secret.
introduced me to Christ, she introduced me to the church and I promised
her in my speech at her funeral, that there is something I must
accomplish to let the world know what she introduced me to which is a
secret.
Won’t you give us the privilege to get to know about it first?
No! I want it to manifest and if it does, you will get to know the secret Majid is talking about.
So, what year did she introduce you to Christ?
You
know what; I am the worst person with dates (laughs). But let me try; I
was 14 at that time, very young. She introduced me to the church and
that was where everything started.
know what; I am the worst person with dates (laughs). But let me try; I
was 14 at that time, very young. She introduced me to the church and
that was where everything started.
You got married early and you have been married for over 10 years. Tell us the secret of your successful marriage?
When
you go everywhere, people talk about principles of organizational
development, and how to keep it going, but no one talks about character.
Character comes from the word statue, a statue is something that has
been fixed, it doesn’t change, and it is stable. If you see the image of
Kwame Nkrumah at the museum, his statue is standing in one position,
doing forward ever, backward never. When it’s raining, or there is
hurricane, it is always in the same position, doing the same thing, it
is stable. It doesn’t change, that is what you call character. That is
what builds character. What am I doing in the night is it the same thing
I am doing in the afternoon? When there is no one watching, what are
you doing? That is character, those are the kind of leaders we need. I
mean, in the morning, if someone brings a bribe will you accept it? Are
you unchangeable? Are you unstable? Or you are fixed. That is
character, so we try as much as possible to build our characters. You
don’t trade character, you don’t buy it, and you don’t sell it. You are
not unclean with it. Character over the years is temptations over the
years. Temptation basically, means testing for weakness. So, if over the
years you’ve gone through a lot of temptations and you were able to
withstand them, you’ve built your character which builds your value
system, your morals, your ethics, which becomes you at the end of the
day. So, we try not to run away from temptation but to overcome it day
in day out and that is what builds our character as we grow up, and that
is what defines us.
you go everywhere, people talk about principles of organizational
development, and how to keep it going, but no one talks about character.
Character comes from the word statue, a statue is something that has
been fixed, it doesn’t change, and it is stable. If you see the image of
Kwame Nkrumah at the museum, his statue is standing in one position,
doing forward ever, backward never. When it’s raining, or there is
hurricane, it is always in the same position, doing the same thing, it
is stable. It doesn’t change, that is what you call character. That is
what builds character. What am I doing in the night is it the same thing
I am doing in the afternoon? When there is no one watching, what are
you doing? That is character, those are the kind of leaders we need. I
mean, in the morning, if someone brings a bribe will you accept it? Are
you unchangeable? Are you unstable? Or you are fixed. That is
character, so we try as much as possible to build our characters. You
don’t trade character, you don’t buy it, and you don’t sell it. You are
not unclean with it. Character over the years is temptations over the
years. Temptation basically, means testing for weakness. So, if over the
years you’ve gone through a lot of temptations and you were able to
withstand them, you’ve built your character which builds your value
system, your morals, your ethics, which becomes you at the end of the
day. So, we try not to run away from temptation but to overcome it day
in day out and that is what builds our character as we grow up, and that
is what defines us.
If you have to say something special to your wife, what will you say to her?
My
wife is the only reason I am Majid Michel. My wife is responsible for
me being Majid Michel. She is the reason I’m Majid Michel. I mean, apart
from God, second to God physically, if she never supported me or never
understood my job, there’s no way I could have made it.
wife is the only reason I am Majid Michel. My wife is responsible for
me being Majid Michel. She is the reason I’m Majid Michel. I mean, apart
from God, second to God physically, if she never supported me or never
understood my job, there’s no way I could have made it.
Why did you start professional acting and what does it mean to you?
Everything
on earth has a purpose. A bird flies because it’s a purpose to fly, the
fish swims, because it’s a purpose for the fish to swim. The seed
grows, it’s a purpose for the seed to grow. Whether you pray or you
don’t pray, when you plant it, it will grow. We are the epic of God’s
creation and everyone has a purpose. Your purpose is what you get energy
to do; whatever you do that excites you is a purpose, which is why you
were made. Now, when you build that purpose, you go to school because of
your interest in it, you develop it and naturally become a leader and
naturally followers start coming. So, it’s who I am, it’s my purpose.
Now, God’s will for this purpose is when you become a leader, then you
start winning souls for Him, that is the purpose of life, that is why I
am here and that is why I do what I do.
on earth has a purpose. A bird flies because it’s a purpose to fly, the
fish swims, because it’s a purpose for the fish to swim. The seed
grows, it’s a purpose for the seed to grow. Whether you pray or you
don’t pray, when you plant it, it will grow. We are the epic of God’s
creation and everyone has a purpose. Your purpose is what you get energy
to do; whatever you do that excites you is a purpose, which is why you
were made. Now, when you build that purpose, you go to school because of
your interest in it, you develop it and naturally become a leader and
naturally followers start coming. So, it’s who I am, it’s my purpose.
Now, God’s will for this purpose is when you become a leader, then you
start winning souls for Him, that is the purpose of life, that is why I
am here and that is why I do what I do.
What age did you start professional acting?
Funny
enough, some couple of days ago, I met one of my primary school
teachers, who told me she was going through her picture album, and she
saw one of my pictures when I was on stage in primary school. I can’t
even remember myself on stage (laughs) and then in secondary school, I
won some couple of awards, but I started professional acting when I was
19.
enough, some couple of days ago, I met one of my primary school
teachers, who told me she was going through her picture album, and she
saw one of my pictures when I was on stage in primary school. I can’t
even remember myself on stage (laughs) and then in secondary school, I
won some couple of awards, but I started professional acting when I was
19.
Which of your works gave you the big break?
Things We Do For Love in 2000 and in 2009, I had my international break. That was five years ago in Crime to Christ.
When are you completely satisfied with your job?
I’m
never satisfied. I always follow them to the studio, I chase them
around. I want to see the final job and I’m never satisfied. It’s a bad
thing and I have to learn how to be satisfied (laughs).
never satisfied. I always follow them to the studio, I chase them
around. I want to see the final job and I’m never satisfied. It’s a bad
thing and I have to learn how to be satisfied (laughs).
How hard do you push yourself?
Till I can’t go anymore.
How do you manage advances from female fans?
I
understand my job. I know what comes with it, so, I am not surprised.
When you are surprised, then you will be swept off your feet. You have
to understand and know what comes with your job. You are on TV and
people think they know you, so it’s normal.
understand my job. I know what comes with it, so, I am not surprised.
When you are surprised, then you will be swept off your feet. You have
to understand and know what comes with your job. You are on TV and
people think they know you, so it’s normal.
Have you ever been embarrassed by a female fan?
They
always jump on us and kiss us (general laughter). In front of my wife
sometimes and I’m like; honey, it wasn’t me, it was her (laughs).
always jump on us and kiss us (general laughter). In front of my wife
sometimes and I’m like; honey, it wasn’t me, it was her (laughs).
So, how much do you draw on personal experience when you are acting?
Sometimes
nothing at all. It’s hard, you need to do a lot of research, sometimes
it’s just a simple story with some couple of friends just talking. But
then, when you are playing the role of a killer or some beast, you need a
lot of research.
nothing at all. It’s hard, you need to do a lot of research, sometimes
it’s just a simple story with some couple of friends just talking. But
then, when you are playing the role of a killer or some beast, you need a
lot of research.
Which of your colleagues do you enjoy working with both in Ghana and in Nigeria?
I
really love acting with Nadia Buhari. Nadia is one of my favorites
because of her deep understanding of the act. She really understands all
the tricks of what acting is all about. She understands her character
very well, so, it makes something called the feedback loop, it’s an
acting term; it makes it easier for you as an actor. In Nigeria, I like
to work with Genevieve.
really love acting with Nadia Buhari. Nadia is one of my favorites
because of her deep understanding of the act. She really understands all
the tricks of what acting is all about. She understands her character
very well, so, it makes something called the feedback loop, it’s an
acting term; it makes it easier for you as an actor. In Nigeria, I like
to work with Genevieve.
Do you have any female celebrity crush?
She is not an actress…
Who is she?
Rihanna (laughs)
God brought me here to make her good (laughs)
Which of your roles has been the most challenging for you?
Somewhere
in Africa, I acted two characters at the same time. It was tough. The
makeup was very uncomfortable, the weather was really hot. I had to go
like three shades darker on my body, it was very uncomfortable. The
accent had to be consistent, so a lot of takes, it was tough. And I
spent almost a month on set.
in Africa, I acted two characters at the same time. It was tough. The
makeup was very uncomfortable, the weather was really hot. I had to go
like three shades darker on my body, it was very uncomfortable. The
accent had to be consistent, so a lot of takes, it was tough. And I
spent almost a month on set.
What would you have been doing if you were not acting?
Directing and that means I would still be in the movie industry.
What is your take on a Nigerian in Ghana who tried to impersonate you to defraud a woman in the United States?
It’s
been going on for a very long time, he was just a scapegoat, and he was
the unlucky one. I met a lady in America who said she added me on
facebook, and I told her I am not on facebook. I don’t have a facebook
account, never had it. So, I told her to keep talking to the guy and
that’s how we got him with the help of the police.
been going on for a very long time, he was just a scapegoat, and he was
the unlucky one. I met a lady in America who said she added me on
facebook, and I told her I am not on facebook. I don’t have a facebook
account, never had it. So, I told her to keep talking to the guy and
that’s how we got him with the help of the police.
So, what is your advice on how to avoid such occurrence?
The
victims have to be careful. The people that are being scammed should be
more careful. They are too cheap; Stephen Appiah would not ask you for
1,000 dollars, how do you expect Stephen to ask you for 1,000 dollars.
You say Majid is asking for 200 dollars, why? And you believe such lies;
it’s a scam (laughs). We don’t ask for money.
victims have to be careful. The people that are being scammed should be
more careful. They are too cheap; Stephen Appiah would not ask you for
1,000 dollars, how do you expect Stephen to ask you for 1,000 dollars.
You say Majid is asking for 200 dollars, why? And you believe such lies;
it’s a scam (laughs). We don’t ask for money.
What does it take to have a successful marriage?
You
need information about marriage. You need to take a test on marriage.
Marriage is the only institution you get your certificate before the
test. You need information before you get into marriage. Love does not
keep a marriage; divorced people will tell you that. What happens to; I
love you, but we used to be in love. Love does not keep a marriage and
sex is not a glue. Love and sex never keep a marriage. It is knowledge
and understanding. You need to know about marriage, you tell a girl or a
guy I love you, but do you love marriage? They’re two different things.
If a guy tells you I love you, and when you tell him let’s get married,
he is running away, because love and marriage are different. Marriage
is an institution, telling somebody a vow is not a marriage. It is a
building that both of you are going to be in. The key element is
knowledge, because knowledge is information and you need to have lots of
information about marriage, then you understand these information, you
comprehend them and you tell yourself; I am ready to do it. Not because I
love her, but because I am ready to help her achieve her dreams. I’m
ready to make our dreams come true with her. She is your help to
accomplish your purpose. We stop making babies and grownups believe the
first thing you need is a girlfriend or a boyfriend. That is not what
you need; the first thing you need is the presence of God. Not a man or a
woman, it is not about relationships, it is about God. The aim and the
target has been lost, the reason and the purpose of our existence has
been lost.
need information about marriage. You need to take a test on marriage.
Marriage is the only institution you get your certificate before the
test. You need information before you get into marriage. Love does not
keep a marriage; divorced people will tell you that. What happens to; I
love you, but we used to be in love. Love does not keep a marriage and
sex is not a glue. Love and sex never keep a marriage. It is knowledge
and understanding. You need to know about marriage, you tell a girl or a
guy I love you, but do you love marriage? They’re two different things.
If a guy tells you I love you, and when you tell him let’s get married,
he is running away, because love and marriage are different. Marriage
is an institution, telling somebody a vow is not a marriage. It is a
building that both of you are going to be in. The key element is
knowledge, because knowledge is information and you need to have lots of
information about marriage, then you understand these information, you
comprehend them and you tell yourself; I am ready to do it. Not because I
love her, but because I am ready to help her achieve her dreams. I’m
ready to make our dreams come true with her. She is your help to
accomplish your purpose. We stop making babies and grownups believe the
first thing you need is a girlfriend or a boyfriend. That is not what
you need; the first thing you need is the presence of God. Not a man or a
woman, it is not about relationships, it is about God. The aim and the
target has been lost, the reason and the purpose of our existence has
been lost.
Who are your role models?
In
acting, but apart from that it should be, Alpaccino, Robert De Niro,
Anthony Hopkins, Leonaldo Dicaprio. But in life, He is the greatest
leader of all time, Jesus.
acting, but apart from that it should be, Alpaccino, Robert De Niro,
Anthony Hopkins, Leonaldo Dicaprio. But in life, He is the greatest
leader of all time, Jesus.
If
you act for one year, continuously and you are not ready to charge
money, or you are ready not to take money for it, do it. But if you need
money before you act, stop! It’s not for you.
you act for one year, continuously and you are not ready to charge
money, or you are ready not to take money for it, do it. But if you need
money before you act, stop! It’s not for you.
What do you miss most about your late mom?
It’s her presence. And when I feel her so much, I pray, because this is one of the main reasons why I believe in God.
What was her last word to you?
I prayed with her on the phone. And she told me she was proud of me.
Should your fans expect something from you anytime soon?
I have a couple of movies that would blow their minds. I won’t say it because it’s meant to be a surprise.
What do you like most about Nigeria?
Everything,
I’m going to Nigeria tomorrow. I don’t know about the bad rumours about
Nigeria, but I love Nigeria to death. The people always go to work for
you to know you are in a good place. So, I don’t know what people talk
about when they say Nigeria is dangerous, I don’t understand (laughs)
but I am going to work with Emem Isong, in a movie entitled Ayamma. It’s
an epic movie.
I’m going to Nigeria tomorrow. I don’t know about the bad rumours about
Nigeria, but I love Nigeria to death. The people always go to work for
you to know you are in a good place. So, I don’t know what people talk
about when they say Nigeria is dangerous, I don’t understand (laughs)
but I am going to work with Emem Isong, in a movie entitled Ayamma. It’s
an epic movie.
And how will you describe Emem Isong?
Strong woman. She sees a vision and she accomplishes it.