Don’t blame the girls for swooning all over him. He is tall, handsome,
well built. And above all, he is popular and comfortable. Born in Lagos,
Nollywood star Fredrick Leonard, who hails from Anambra State,
describes himself as fun loving. In this exclusive interview with The
Entertainer, the graduate of Biochemistry opens up on sundry issues and
his relationship with the ladies. Excerpts:Can you tell us about yourself?
My name is Fredrick Leonard, I hail from Anambra State but I was born in Lagos where I spent most of my years before moving over to Kaduna State Polytechnic to study Biochemistry. In the course of my study, I found out that I did not enjoy sitting in the classroom listening to lectures because I am an adventurous person. It’s not that Biochemistry was not a good course but it wasn’t just my type of thing.
What awkward thing has a fan done to you?
Fans haven’t really treated me unfairly. But sometimes, some of them just send mails that they want to marry me. Strange!
Can you appear nudé in movies?
Hell No! I cannot go nudé in a movie. I am a role model to some people and I cannot afford to disappoint them.
Is Fredrick Leonard your real name or stage name?
Fredrick Leonard is my real name. It is not a stage name as people think. I inherited the name from my late father for the sake of continuity as the Igbo culture upholds. Growing up, people frowned on my name, wondering if I had any African name. I used to tell them that a name is a name as long as it has a meaning. My native name is Nnaemeka, my full names in all my documents are Fredrick Nnaemeka Leonard.
You sound like someone who grew up in a wealthy family, what is your family background like?
I wasn’t born with a silver spoon; my success today is by God’s grace. I grew up under a strict father, whom at first, I objected to his method. It was when I grew up that I realized that he had good intentions. Spare the rod and spoil the child, they say. My mother was a loving one; and because I grew up in a Christian environment, I was always watched and made sure that I did not fall off track. I was taught humility and how to face situations like a man.
How did acting start for you?
A friend looked at me and said I ‘look good’. Since I got potentials in acting, he introduced me to NAG (Nigerian Actors Guild) as it was called then under the chairmanship of Mr. Emmanuel Agoba. I first of all observed how things were and later, I went for an auditioning. My first movie was ‘Five Scenes’, after which I did a couple of movies before leaving for school for about five to six years. I returned and featured in a film entitled ‘Indian Doctor’ directed by Theodore Anyanji and produced by Emex movies’. Then I left but returned again in 2009, after which I featured in ‘Disclosure’, ‘Tarima’, and the likes. In 2010, I finally decided on what to do. During the period of my departure from acting, I did a lot of modeling with some brands, which helped to fund my schooling. That is why people think that I am from a wealthy home, but the truth is that I have a wealthy heavenly father.
Your initial plan was to become a pilot, what made you change from being a pilot to a biochemist?
For 12 years, my mum discouraged me from becoming a pilot on the grounds that I was an only child. My Father did not have the financial strength to support my dream, and then I started looking for other options until Biochemistry came up, but now I am a movie star.
What is your passion and inspiration?
My passion is that I am privileged to speak to the masses; at the same time I can influence them on how to live a good life. There are moral lessons to be learnt in every film one watches; therefore, I try my best to educate people and to influence their mindset positively.
What is your dislike in the film industry?
I don’t really have a dislike about the film industry, but rather observations on things that need to be changed. Change, they say, is dynamic. I feel that the film industry should strive more in the areas of marketing, filming, and quality production.
Are you still into modeling?
Yes, I am still into modeling but not in a big way now. I hope to represent a higher brand in future.
What can’t you do in modeling?
I can’t go nudé in front of the camera. I will possibly like to represent a brand that has a positive impact in the society.
Have you received love advances from the opposite sex, most especially, married ones because of your fame or physique?
No, my female fans who are married are very decent people.
Are you single?
Yes, I am. I am thinking not searching.
Who are you dating now?
(Laughs) I am with a nice, God-fearing lady who appreciates God in her life.
What attracted you to her?
What attracted me to her was her moral standard, though no one is perfect, I will say that she is better than the rest I have come across.
When are you planning to settle down?
Very soon, three years from now (laughs).
Do you realize that most of your mates are already happily married with children? Don’t you find that rather discouraging?Marriage is no competition; certain things have to be put in place before you can think of marriage. So, I am still working on it.
Is Fredrick Leonard your real name or stage name?
Fredrick Leonard is my real name. It is not a stage name as people think. I inherited the name from my late father for the sake of continuity as the Igbo culture upholds. Growing up, people frowned on my name, wondering if I had any African name. I used to tell them that a name is a name as long as it has a meaning. My native name is Nnaemeka, my full names in all my documents are Fredrick Nnaemeka Leonard.
You sound like someone who grew up in a wealthy family, what is your family background like?
I wasn’t born with a silver spoon; my success today is by God’s grace. I grew up under a strict father, whom at first, I objected to his method. It was when I grew up that I realized that he had good intentions. Spare the rod and spoil the child, they say. My mother was a loving one; and because I grew up in a Christian environment, I was always watched and made sure that I did not fall off track. I was taught humility and how to face situations like a man.
How did acting start for you?
A friend looked at me and said I ‘look good’. Since I got potentials in acting, he introduced me to NAG (Nigerian Actors Guild) as it was called then under the chairmanship of Mr. Emmanuel Agoba. I first of all observed how things were and later, I went for an auditioning. My first movie was ‘Five Scenes’, after which I did a couple of movies before leaving for school for about five to six years. I returned and featured in a film entitled ‘Indian Doctor’ directed by Theodore Anyanji and produced by Emex movies’. Then I left but returned again in 2009, after which I featured in ‘Disclosure’, ‘Tarima’, and the likes. In 2010, I finally decided on what to do. During the period of my departure from acting, I did a lot of modeling with some brands, which helped to fund my schooling. That is why people think that I am from a wealthy home, but the truth is that I have a wealthy heavenly father.
Your initial plan was to become a pilot, what made you change from being a pilot to a biochemist?
For 12 years, my mum discouraged me from becoming a pilot on the grounds that I was an only child. My Father did not have the financial strength to support my dream, and then I started looking for other options until Biochemistry came up, but now I am a movie star.
What is your passion and inspiration?
My passion is that I am privileged to speak to the masses; at the same time I can influence them on how to live a good life. There are moral lessons to be learnt in every film one watches; therefore, I try my best to educate people and to influence their mindset positively.
What is your dislike in the film industry?
I don’t really have a dislike about the film industry, but rather observations on things that need to be changed. Change, they say, is dynamic. I feel that the film industry should strive more in the areas of marketing, filming, and quality production.
Are you still into modeling?
Yes, I am still into modeling but not in a big way now. I hope to represent a higher brand in future.
What can’t you do in modeling?
I can’t go nudé in front of the camera. I will possibly like to represent a brand that has a positive impact in the society.
Have you received love advances from the opposite sex, most especially, married ones because of your fame or physique?
No, my female fans who are married are very decent people.
Are you single?
Yes, I am. I am thinking not searching.
Who are you dating now?
(Laughs) I am with a nice, God-fearing lady who appreciates God in her life.
What attracted you to her?
What attracted me to her was her moral standard, though no one is perfect, I will say that she is better than the rest I have come across.
When are you planning to settle down?
Very soon, three years from now (laughs).
Do you realize that most of your mates are already happily married with children? Don’t you find that rather discouraging?Marriage is no competition; certain things have to be put in place before you can think of marriage. So, I am still working on it.
Interview by The Sun's Christian Agadibe
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