Mr. and Mrs. Okey
Nollywood actor, Jazzy Okey, and his wife, Annie, speak on the joy of marriage. See excerpts from the punch interview below:
When and how did you meet?
Jazzy: I once owned a
hair extension outlet and she was a patron. We met during one of her
numerous shopping sprees at my store. I took a liking to her and we both
exchange phone numbers. I had just ended my relationship at the time
and she was very supportive. I also confided in her more than every
other person. We began dating almost immediately and haven’t looked back
ever since.
hair extension outlet and she was a patron. We met during one of her
numerous shopping sprees at my store. I took a liking to her and we both
exchange phone numbers. I had just ended my relationship at the time
and she was very supportive. I also confided in her more than every
other person. We began dating almost immediately and haven’t looked back
ever since.
When did you decide to marry her?
Jazzy: While we dated,
it had become so glaring to me that she was and still is a special woman
and one who is very receptive. I don’t think any other lady would have
been better for me other than her. She is all that I have looked for and
desired in a woman.
it had become so glaring to me that she was and still is a special woman
and one who is very receptive. I don’t think any other lady would have
been better for me other than her. She is all that I have looked for and
desired in a woman.
Annie: I saw and still
see many reasons to spend the rest of my life with him. He is a very
nice and cheerful person. Now that we are married, he hasn’t changed for
a second
see many reasons to spend the rest of my life with him. He is a very
nice and cheerful person. Now that we are married, he hasn’t changed for
a second
What qualities attracted you to your spouse?
Annie: When I spotted
him for the first time, I liked him just like every other person. His
sister and I have been very good friends long before I began shopping at
Jazzy’s store. But, as time went by, I realised that I had began
developing some special feelings for him. Every time I look at him, all I
see is a caring man, a supporter and my soul mate.
him for the first time, I liked him just like every other person. His
sister and I have been very good friends long before I began shopping at
Jazzy’s store. But, as time went by, I realised that I had began
developing some special feelings for him. Every time I look at him, all I
see is a caring man, a supporter and my soul mate.
I recall when I based in Port Harcourt;
he would call at intervals to check on me. We weren’t even lovers at the
time. Also, whenever I was cash trapped, he would find out one way or
the other and then ask his sister to come to my rescue. She would visit
me at home with foodstuff and money.
he would call at intervals to check on me. We weren’t even lovers at the
time. Also, whenever I was cash trapped, he would find out one way or
the other and then ask his sister to come to my rescue. She would visit
me at home with foodstuff and money.
Jazzy: Before I went
for her, I knew what I wanted. I wanted a woman I could call my wife,
helper and builder, and so, I’m enjoying my marriage. So, I will say the
initial attraction came about when I began picturing her in my future.
for her, I knew what I wanted. I wanted a woman I could call my wife,
helper and builder, and so, I’m enjoying my marriage. So, I will say the
initial attraction came about when I began picturing her in my future.
While you courted, did you feel he would disappoint you?
Annie: I wouldn’t say
yes or no, because while we dated, I never expected a marriage proposal
from him, even though he so nice to me. I put in my best in the
relationship and left the rest to God. But then, I’ve always wanted to
spend the rest of my life with him.
yes or no, because while we dated, I never expected a marriage proposal
from him, even though he so nice to me. I put in my best in the
relationship and left the rest to God. But then, I’ve always wanted to
spend the rest of my life with him.
Was there any opposition from family members before you got married?
Jazzy: There was no form of opposition!
How would you describe your marriage?
Jazzy: Marriage is a good thing. It takes wisdom and love to succeed as a couple, and we are happy being one.
How often do you have misunderstandings as a couple?
Annie: It’s a normal
thing in every marriage, but what matters most is how best you are both
able to make amends as a couple. Before marriage, we were and still are
best of friends, and so, we’ve gotten used to too sorting out our
differences ourselves.
thing in every marriage, but what matters most is how best you are both
able to make amends as a couple. Before marriage, we were and still are
best of friends, and so, we’ve gotten used to too sorting out our
differences ourselves.
Who apologises first after a disagreement and how do you make up?
Jazzy: It is expected
that whoever is wrong must apologise first. And in marriage, I don’t
think it should be any different. We’ve long adopted the habit of
apologising whenever we wrong each other.
that whoever is wrong must apologise first. And in marriage, I don’t
think it should be any different. We’ve long adopted the habit of
apologising whenever we wrong each other.
Do you invite a third party sometimes?
Jazzy: No way! There is no room for such.
What would you say accounts for the success of your marriage?
Annie: It’s a matter of
understanding, and that is why we always advise and plead with people
that have yet to get married to marry their friends. When you marry
somebody whom you totally understand, you will never have to endure but
enjoy your marriage. So, marriage involves an understanding between a
man and woman.
understanding, and that is why we always advise and plead with people
that have yet to get married to marry their friends. When you marry
somebody whom you totally understand, you will never have to endure but
enjoy your marriage. So, marriage involves an understanding between a
man and woman.
Do you sometimes regret being married to someone in the spotlight?
Annie: Yes, I do. Most
times I do get upset, because of the attitude of most female fans. In a
bid to appreciate my husband, who is a celebrity, they end up carrying
out the least- expected gestures just to get at him.
times I do get upset, because of the attitude of most female fans. In a
bid to appreciate my husband, who is a celebrity, they end up carrying
out the least- expected gestures just to get at him.
How do you react when female fans celebrate your husband?
Annie: As a human
being, I feel upset. But, after all, I can’t help but get used to it.
Right now, I’ve gotten an absorber, so when they come aroung, I don’t
feel anything. I’ve come to the realisation that it is one of the things
he must encounter from his female fans as a celebrity. Besides, I’ve
come to love and trust him so much over time.
being, I feel upset. But, after all, I can’t help but get used to it.
Right now, I’ve gotten an absorber, so when they come aroung, I don’t
feel anything. I’ve come to the realisation that it is one of the things
he must encounter from his female fans as a celebrity. Besides, I’ve
come to love and trust him so much over time.
How do you relate with your female fans?
Jazzy: It’s normal
thing for every celebrity to be appreciated and accepted by all. But,
it’s solely my responsibility to know when to draw the line or limit
certain actions. For example, I appreciate all of them, but I try not to
go beyond a certain limit, and of course you know I’m not single or
searching.
thing for every celebrity to be appreciated and accepted by all. But,
it’s solely my responsibility to know when to draw the line or limit
certain actions. For example, I appreciate all of them, but I try not to
go beyond a certain limit, and of course you know I’m not single or
searching.
Why do you think some celebrities cheat on their spouses?
Annie: Most times it is
not their fault. Anytime a celebrity cheats on his or her spouse, he or
she must have been lured into the act by a female or male fan. They
don’t just go astray and when they do, they are lured into it. But then,
I think self-control is key to the success of any union.
not their fault. Anytime a celebrity cheats on his or her spouse, he or
she must have been lured into the act by a female or male fan. They
don’t just go astray and when they do, they are lured into it. But then,
I think self-control is key to the success of any union.
What are the most valuable gifts you have shared as a couple?
Jazzy: It’s actually a
personal thing. We know how we appreciate each other and we wouldn’t
want to reveal it to the general public. But, we appreciate anything we
give to each other.
personal thing. We know how we appreciate each other and we wouldn’t
want to reveal it to the general public. But, we appreciate anything we
give to each other.
What are the challenges of being married to someone in the limelight?
Annie: It’s not far
from what I explained earlier. I’m currently playing too many roles. One
of them is managing the marriage and the other is managing him outside
marriage, which is a different world created by his female fans. These
are all unavoidable things I must get used to. He is doing his best to
manage them, and I’m doing my best to support him.
from what I explained earlier. I’m currently playing too many roles. One
of them is managing the marriage and the other is managing him outside
marriage, which is a different world created by his female fans. These
are all unavoidable things I must get used to. He is doing his best to
manage them, and I’m doing my best to support him.
Do you operate a joint account?
Annie: Yes, we do but it’s a company account.
Do you both sometimes disagree over finances?
Annie: No!
What is your advice to celebrity spouses?
Jazzy: It’s very
simple. I will advise them to marry their friends. They must marry
someone who understands them and the nature of their job. As long as you
are a celebrity, you will always be in the spotlight, and all you need
is that partner who can keep your private life far away from the prying
eyes of the public.
simple. I will advise them to marry their friends. They must marry
someone who understands them and the nature of their job. As long as you
are a celebrity, you will always be in the spotlight, and all you need
is that partner who can keep your private life far away from the prying
eyes of the public.
And your advice to intending couples…
Annie: They should
marry their friends, and never forget that love and trust are the two
major factors to consider in marriage. The reason why divorce is
prevalent in our society is because people marry whom they can’t love
and trust. When you trust your spouse, you wouldn’t mind a lot of things
going around. And when you love that person, you wouldn’t stop loving
him or her even when issues arise.
marry their friends, and never forget that love and trust are the two
major factors to consider in marriage. The reason why divorce is
prevalent in our society is because people marry whom they can’t love
and trust. When you trust your spouse, you wouldn’t mind a lot of things
going around. And when you love that person, you wouldn’t stop loving
him or her even when issues arise.
What pet names do you call each other?
Jazzy: We both call each other babe.