Celebrity
“I was famous as an actress but i wasn’t happy”- Regina Askia
Former beauty queen and actress Regina Askia-Williams, tells MOBOLA SADIQ about leaving her acting career in Nigeria for greener pastures, how she survived the 9/11 attacks and other issues.
A lot of people know you as a former actress and beauty queen. What are the things they don’t know about you?
“I am now a nurse in New York City, United States of America. I assess patients, diagnose their condition, write a plan of care, prescribe medication, monitor their response to treatment and be sure they are restored to their healthier selves.”
“To be in a position to practise and earn great income anywhere in the world is a good thing and I am grateful.”
Why did you relocate to the United States of America when you were very popular in Nigeria at the time?
“Life takes us on many roads. Yes, I was popular but was I happy? It feels good to be hailed and fawned on but was my joy to be based on what everyone else demanded of me?”
“The question was, what did I want for myself? I wanted a well-developed career with great pay, a family, a husband, travel around the world and I chose the latter.”
“Those were the things I wanted for myself. Don’t forget that Nollywood, in my time, was just beginning to blossom. The popularity and panache we brought to it in my time catapulted it to where it is today.”
“The entry of Netflix and Amazon have definitely been game-changers. Not only does Africa now have the opportunity to tell her stories authentically, she earns an influx of financial payout at it.”
“Thankfully, I have been able to hit it big in two amazing careers in one lifetime and the journey has had its ups and downs but here I am sitting comfortably and pretty solid on all fronts, careers and family, and I am grateful for this.”
What are some of your fondest memories of childhood?
“My childhood was a dream. I was not a silver spoon kid but I had everything. I was borderline spoilt but I turned out great. It bothers me to no end that our children in Nigeria today do not seem to have the structure we enjoyed in our childhood.”
Credit: PUNCH
