Tana Adelana is one of the hottest actresses in Nollywood. Right now this pretty babe is making waves and she is one of the actresses many producers want on their set. Last week, City People had a chat with her on her success story. Below are excerpts of the chat.
You are one of the hottest actresses in Nollywood today How does that make you feel?
Oh wow! I didn’t know that, I thank God. If truly I am, I am truly grateful to God.
Can you share with us how you got into Nollywood and how did your passion for acting start?
I did a little bit of acting back in 2005/2006 for flatmates but I didn’t pursue it. I continued Tv presenting till 2012 when I got a call from my friend Yvonne Nelson to star in her movie “Single And Married” it was a wonderful experience and I never stopped since then.
You’ve been acting now for how many years? Which movie launched you to limelight?
6 years. 1. Single And Married. 2. The Kingdom.
Your name Tana is not a common name. Whats the full meaning?Where is Tana from?Where was she born? Where was growing up?
I couldn’t pronounce my name properly as a kid so I ended up with Tana. I am an Igbo woman from Nara Unateze in Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State. I was born and brought up in Lagos Nigeria.
Lets talk about your schooling. Which schools did you attend?
First, I attended Treaure Land Nursery and Primary School Surulere, Lagos. For my secondary education, I attended Saint Francis Catholic Secondary School Idimu, Lagos. I then went on to university of Lagos to bag a B.Sc in Urban and Regional Planning. I also attended the Metropolitan school of business and administration where I did a Special Executive Masters Program in Leadership and management.
How did you convince your parents to support ur acting career?
It was very difficult oh. My father being a typical olden days father wanted me to be a medical doctor while my mum prayed for me to be an engineer. To cut the long story short, I went on to study urban and regional planning, handed them my certificate when I was done and asked for their permission to pursue my passion in the entertainment industry.
Over the last few years tell us about the major movies that you have featured in
Body Language, Expired Maiden, Swim, Two Steps Back, Purple Hearts, Displaced, Taxi etc
Right now all attention is on you and your contemporaries making waves in Nollywood How do you plan to rise up to the challenge?
Keep doing what I’ve done from day one; believe God at every given time, stay focused, pray hard, work hard, be better than I was yesterday. I think this is all I need. Nothing more.
Who are your mentors? Who are those you look up to in the industry?
Angelina Jolie in Hollywood. Rita Dominic in Nollywood.
What are challenges you have faced in the industry and how did you overcome them?
Basically, the working conditions but I know it will get better.
Who is Tana?What are her goals in life?
Tana is an ambivert (can be very shy) I love positive vibes, I love love, I am a hopeless romantic, I am a Leader and a goal getter. My goals in life are to be written in the sands of time as one of the greatest actors that ever lived. I want to raise beautiful, successful and God fearing children and I to be happy for as long as I live.
