by ‘Ifreke Inyang
Just last week, a story made its way into the blogosphere and social networks – famous Nollywood actress and singer, Stella Damasus had been detained at the airport after drugs were found in her possession.
This is how National Mirror newspaper reported the ‘incident’:
“Another hullaballoo erupted in the Nigerian entertainment scene, when the rumour hit the internet that sultry actress, Stella Damasus, was questioned and drilled on Thursday November 10, by the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for attempting to smuggle drugs suspected to be cocaine to Dubai.
Who is after Stella Damasus is now the question begging for answer, as SS reliably informed that the actress cum singer is currently in Cameroun shooting a movie with Daniel Ademinokan and others. Beside the statement made available to SS, Lambhogini, an aspiring music star, who is said to be on the trip with Stella, has been singing it like song on Facebook. “NDLEA never drill Say no to Crime Ambassador Stella Damasus on drug or anything related to that last Thursday. She has been in Cameroon working on her new project, some people are just trying to destroy her great image but God pass them,” Lambhogini wrote on his Facebook page.
However, the statement sent to SS read, “To put the record straight, Stella left Nigeria for Cameroon on October 30, 2011 for a movie project she had been working on for some time now and she did not have any unusual encounter with NDLEA officials. The false report is simply
the handiwork of some lazy journalists who use the internet as a tool to misinform the public.” When SS contacted Mitchell Ofoyeju, the Public Relations Officer of NDLEA, he could not ascertain the report. “Many people are being searched and screened on daily basis irrespective of their status, I cannot confirm whether she was scanned or not, because you can imagine number of passengers to be screened every day,” he said in a telephone conversation.”
Of course, when you add this to the fact that the almost farcical Baba Suwe drug affair is still hugging headlines, it’s easy to see why the story went viral. So we ‘pinged’ Ms. Damascus to find out what’s going on!
YNaija [25E20356]: What are these rumours we hear o?
Stella Damasus: Been getting calls, my mum has been getting calls. This is not nice at all.
YNaija [25E20356]: Actually, they didn’t say you had drugs on you – the stories say you were delayed and searched.
Stella Damasus: Even that is a huge lie cos I was in Douala. I am pained o, I no go lie. My family can’t understand why ppl would do this. I am trying hard not to be depressed.
YNaija [25E20356]: *Hugs*
Stella Damasus: Thank you
YNaija [25E20356]: Why did u tweet that you ‘regret being a Nollywood star’?
Stella Damasus: I never did that
YNaija [25E20356]: Na wa o! These people are on fire o
Stella Damasus: I have 17 thousand ppl ff me.. They will tell u they never saw anything like that
Stella Damasus: Last thing I tweeted was a call for an audition before the gist came out
YNaija [25E20356]: And we’re sure u had no plans to go to Dubai
Stella Damasus: At all o.
YNaija [25E20356]: Loooool!
Stella Damasus: Na true o shame no dey dis one
YNaija [25E20356]: So this matter, what exactly happened?
Stella Damasus: Ok, first I never tweeted any such thing. Then I went to Cameroon with Lamboghinny, Daniel Ademinokan, Kunle of Gulder Ultimate Search and seven crew members with our equipment. We worked and then came back on the 17th via Air Nigeria. Nothing of the sort ever happened. No truth to the story. I have my passport to show that last time I went to Dubai was around Feb/March.
YNaija [25E20356]: When did u leave Naija?
Stella Damasus: 29 october
YNaija [25E20356]: And what exactly were u doing or what scene were u shooting on the said day?
Stella Damasus: I was shooting a film called ‘Unspoken’. We were recording scenes in Douala at Bonamoussadi, It’s a love story set in a University
YNaija [25E20356]: #GBAM! ..What would ever make u say u regret being a Nollywood actor?
Stella Damasus: Nothing at all cos that’s who I am. And that’s why millions of ppl pray for me every day
YNaija [25E20356]: What r d draw backs of being an actor for you as SDA ? Everything must have its down sides abi na?
Stella Damasus: Well for me, it’s just the loss of privacy
YNaija [25E20356]: Think of three scenarios uv experienced bcos of ur work that u wish u never did and u blamed it on d work
Stella Damasus: They doubled the price of things I wanted to buy in the market cos of my face, but I never blamed it on the work. My dear I don’t ever regret things I do. If they are mistakes I accept them and learn from it.
YNaija [25E20356]: Hav u ever gone thru an embarrassin situation bcos of ur work? Or some insulted u bcos they assume as celebrity they can say watever d want to say about u
Stella Damasus: Oh yes now, that happens a lot. Some create impressions of actors so much that before u open ur mouth they say pls don’t think that cos u are a star we will just respond to you, most times its gossip from some funny journalist.. Comes with the job
Stella Damasus: But the advantages outweighs all that
YNaija [25E20356]: Any more works on ur plate u want to talk about? Films? Projects?
Stella Damasus: My students will graduate dec… I’ve started editing my movie… Have three songs now ready for airing
YNaija [25E20356]: Tell us about the project/students?
Stella Damasus: I have 20 actors and 10 singers who will graduate from the Stella Damasus arts foundation after three months of free intensive training. They had great facilitators.
YNaija [25E20356]: Ah, free. Nice
Stella Damasus: We are producing singles for the singers and the actors about to do a short film
YNaija [25E20356]: Who were d facilitators?
Stella Damasus: The facilitators were Ben ogbeiwi of Project Fame, Tim Godfrey, Pat king and Michael Abdul of midnight crew, etc.
YNaija [25E20356]: Why did u embark on the project?
Stella Damasus: Well I wanted to do something and not just talk at home. Instead of sitting at home and criticizing I decided to start something. We needed ppl who are properly trained to come into the industry and improve it. With the help of family and friends, we were able to pull it off.
YNaija [25E20356]: What movie r u editing? D one in Douala or another?
Stella Damasus: I am editing the one from Douala
YNaija [25E20356]: R u really going to join the league of Actor-musicians soon?
Stella Damasus: I started out as a singer before acting came and I have had a band formore than a decade.
YNaija [25E20356]: Tell them o! Lol!
Stella Damasus: Abi o!
YNaija [25E20356]: What kind of songs r they? Love? Inspiration? Slow? Fast? Hip hop 🙂
Stella Damasus: One slow, love, inspirational, one zouk with petit paye from cameroon and get up with lamboghinny (fast)
YNaija [25E20356]: Just random question came to mind, r u officially divorced from Mr Nzeribe?
Stella Damasus: I am not allowed to talk about that according to my lawyer yet.
YNaija [25E20356]: Ok, thanks so much for your time Stella!
Stella Damasus: Thank you
YNaija [25E20356]: 😉
Hi Stephanie,
Ms. Damasus says information for the January session will be available before the end of December. Stay with us!
Hi Stephanie,
Ms. Damasus says information on auditions for the January classes will be out soon. Stay hooked on here!
Hi stella hw do s/one register wit ur sch?
Hi stella hw do s?one register wit ur sch?
Nice one! happy dat my lovely stella got to tell her side of the story. nor mind those ye-ye reporters
Eiya.. I'm sure she was crying and pinging at the same time..
Stella DA… All d best
*Sigh* These yeye journalists no go kill person with fglse story. God dey ur back sista!