Interview with rising Sierra Leone Ghallywood star Johannes Maier who is recently breaking into Nollywood and one of the most popular Sierra Leoenean in Africa to date . He had his break through in his third movie The Game alongside Ghana actor Majid Michel, John Dumelo, actress Yvonne Okoro and many known acts. He exclusively talked to Sia Boss about his career and how it all began. Read Interview belowSia: Johannes Maier you are speaking to Sia and I want to congratulate you on your success!
JM: Thank you very muchSia: You are getting huge in both Nollywood and Ghollywood, how did you make your way into acting and how did it come about?
JM: Yeah, that is a very big question.
I must say it is a very great passion to act and I took every opportunity given to me very serious, so I ended up here where I am right now. Mostly it about God, I am a strong believer in God and I put all my hopes up to him and he helped me.Sia: As a Sierra Leonean in Africa movie industry, how great is that for you?
JM: I feel very happy. There is this funny story I tell people about, sometimes back when Sierra Leone did their first collaboration with Nollywood which I auditioned for. It was a Sierra Leonean movie and I did very well at the audition for the movie “Blood Diamond”. I passed the audition and Rita Dominic was very impressed and was like wow, “this is what you should need in the movie because this boy is good” . I was too young at the time so unfortunately for me I didn’t get the script. As at now I am the only Sierra Leonean to cross over and I am really grateful to God.Sia: What was your first movie?
JM: The first I ever played in was with Majid Michel in “A Sting in a Tale” but it was just a minor role.Sia: And were you nervous on set when shooting with stars that already have big names?
JM: Oh no. I wasn’t because if you want something go for it and really I wasn’t there for anybody. I was there for myself and also for my Country as we have a very low profile in acting and I have to break the game like others do. I have six million people looking up to me so I don’t need to be nervous and the stars are just human like your brothers or sisters. When you get to meet them they are very friendly, they laugh, make jokes and fight like anyother.Sia: When did you finally have your break through?
JM: My break through was the movie “The game” Sia: I want to be a little bit personal. I live in Germany and to me your name sounds German, can you tell me about that?
JM: You are right about that. Hmm, my Mom is a Sierra Leonean and my Dad is a German but I last saw him when I was three years old. Well, that is why my name sounds German because I am half.Sia Boss: That was one of my personal question. Now let us know, how are you keeping up being a celebrity and how is that for you, I mean people know you?
JM: It’s one day at a time. It’s quite a huge difference tho because you can’t be your normal self like you used to and you have to always be conscious of what you say or do in public. Like yesterday I was out with friends clubbing and fans were all over me taking pictures and videos and on of my friend was like not to take any picture of me but I let them to. Sometimes it put you one the edge that in such situation you can’t be your crazy self because people look up to you to be a role model and try to be perfect. When I walk up the street I do take 2 minutes to make fans happy, not every day.Sia: In Africa our parent do not have much confident in entertainment, do you have support from your family and what did they first say about your acting career?
JM: Well I started architecture in building right back in Sierra Leone and initially came to Ghana and did movie animation and graphic designing. I got also certificate in modeling here in Ghana, so things seem working. Since I was a kid my Mom is somebody who will always love to nurture your talent. I can sing, draw and this woman would sit down and say sing for me and I will say no but she always had her way to do it. She helped me through and I should really give it to my Mom because she nurtured me. I remember sometime back when they gave me scripts for plays in school; I was in every play throughout primary and secondary school. Then if I didn’t get the script a week before final rehearsal, my Mom will write a letter or walk to the school that I am not taking the role because I have not mastered it and I will asked why Mommy, then she said listen; if you go out there you have to do it. So my Mom has been the backbone for my talent and very supportive.Sia: Do you have any project going on at the moment?
JM: A new movie of mine is coming out soon. They are editing it right now and it’s a movie that is going to touch hearts.Sia: On behalf of all Sierra Leoneans, we are very proud of you; do you have any plan for your country Sierra Leone?
JM: Yes I do, for sure.Sia: What will you like to say to your fans?
JM: God bless you, thank you, I love you and keep praying for me.
