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Kate Henshaw-Nuttall, Before AMAA 2008

Written by Femi Olubosi & Abraham Adegoke

Thursday, 15 May 2008

Kate Henshaw-Nuttall

A couple of years ago, 1993 precisely, Kate Henshaw-Nuttall made a career switch and became an actress. We'll spare you her life history. There's a lot of that on her website. The point is, Kate did not go to school to become an actress. It was something she drifted into. Though She studied Medical Microbiology, she had always wanted to be a musician, medical doctor or air hostess. "I guess a sort of singing healer or flying singer", she says.
The switch came when Kate stumbled upon an audition for a new movie at the popular lagos studio, Klinks. She decided to give it a shot and after going through the audition, she was immediately handed the role which turned out to be her first role in a major Nigerian movie.

The movie? "When the Sun Sets". And 15 years later? The African Movie Academy Awards; best lead actress and female actress of the year. MyNaijaNews caught up with Kate a few days after AMAA 2008. She squeezed out time from her busy schedule for a few words.

"When the sun sets", was, for a 'drifter', a challenge. "The script was quite voluminous and I was a bit overwhelmed with everything, but the other actors in the persons of Kanayo O Kanayo, the late Funmi Martins, Sandra Achums and the director Ifeanyi Anyafulu were quite helpful. It was quite an emotional story and I had to learn for the first time how to cry and show emotions on cue!!!" Kate further revealed to MyNaijaNews that the late ace actor cum producer, J.T Tom West was an integral part of her initiation into the movie actors/actresses hood.

Kate has, obviously, learnt a lot since her first movie. After about 17 movies, her fans will like to say they saw her awards at AMAA this year coming. She didn't though. "I did not see my win at the AMAA this year coming", she says. "But everything that happened that night on stage was God telling me it would be me, even though I was too scared to see it. I was moved to tears and I bless God Almighty for finding me worthy to receive it".

Kate recently went International when she, alongside Zack Orji and wife shot a movie titled, “Close Enemies” in Los Angeles with a few actors from Hollywood. "It was quite an enjoyable experience. It was well organised and co ordinated. Everyone knew what they were doing. We the nigerians handled it quite well because we are used to working under pressure". CLOSE ENEMIES was premiered at the Pan African Film festival in Los Angeles at the Magic Johnson theatre in Feb 2008.

The Nigerian Movie Industry, in her candid opinion, “started out well with all good intentions but it was hijacked along the way by a few greedy people who no longer want to practice the craft in the true sense of the word. They see it as a money making machine!! It is now sort of stuck in a rut with very few good films getting the much needed publicity and the band wagon effect taking over. Stories are recycled at will and creativity has gone to the dogs”.

Kate describes herself as convivial. Mmmm. Grammar. That means friendly. But is there something people don't know about her alreday? "I am very down to earth and domesticated. I love washing and Ironing. I love wearing jeans. I dont like over the top attires." Her favourite actors are Denzel Washington,Samuel L. Jackson, Halle Berry, Angela Basset, Anthony Hopkins and Sean Connery. "I would love to work with them all", she says.

Like many other famous people, Kate detests the lack of privacy that comes with being popular. We don't blame her though. It's kinda creepy to know that a reasonable percentage of the country's population is watching your every move. Will she run from a swarm of Paparazzi? Well, kate is not camera shy. "I have never been. Always loved taking pictures when I was a model so the transition to film was easy for me."

Kate,loves her “adopted” profession because of the joy it gives to people. In her words, “what I love most about my profession is the joy in people’s faces when they tell me how much they love my work and how one film or the other touched their lives”.

Quiz time. What does Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parkes, Muritala Mohammed and Queen Amina have in common? Well, these are people from history Kate would have loved to dine with. How does Kate Juggle family committement and prfessional pressure? "I only would like to say that my husband and daughter are extremely supportive of me and also understand the pressure of my work." What are Kate's hobbies. Reading ,Singing and just generally having a good time. True or False. A movie about Kates life would sell. TRUE! "It would tell of hard work, dedication and humor", says Kate.

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Comments (6)

1. 17-05-2008 00:27

Re: Kate Henshaw-Nuttal before AMAA 2008

I love Kate and am very proud of her and the achievements she has made.

Her award was long overdue and i am glad that people are beginning to appreciate for for who she really is: a warm, loving person and a rare talent.

I wish her the best always.