The Asuzus
Nollywood actor, Ernest Asuzu, and his wife, Jennifer,in this interview with Spice, speak about their seven-year-old marriage. See excerpts below:
How and when did you meet your wife?
Ernest: I met my wife
in Calabar some years ago, when I went to shoot a video. As soon as we
met, I told her she would be my wife. I requested for her telephone
number and afterwards, we spoke on the phone. Thereafter, we began to
meet on a timely basis before we began to date and later got married.
in Calabar some years ago, when I went to shoot a video. As soon as we
met, I told her she would be my wife. I requested for her telephone
number and afterwards, we spoke on the phone. Thereafter, we began to
meet on a timely basis before we began to date and later got married.
What was her response when you told her she would be your wife?
Ernest: She only laughed, which was expected of her as a woman. However, she was not difficult to relate with.
What was your reaction when he said he would marry you?
Jennifer: I just
laughed it off. It was absurd meeting someone for the first time and
telling her she would be your wife. Nevertheless, we started
communicating and seeing each other regularly.
laughed it off. It was absurd meeting someone for the first time and
telling her she would be your wife. Nevertheless, we started
communicating and seeing each other regularly.
What was the attraction?
Jennifer: What really
got me attracted to him was that I found him to be a God-fearing
individual. He always talked about God and that prompted me to know more
about him. He turned out to be a nice person. He was different from
what people were used to seeing in movies.
got me attracted to him was that I found him to be a God-fearing
individual. He always talked about God and that prompted me to know more
about him. He turned out to be a nice person. He was different from
what people were used to seeing in movies.
How long did you date for before you got married?
Ernest: We dated for a long time, but we got married in 2009. I proposed to her around that period and we got married
Did her parents object to the relationship based on the bad boy roles you played in movies?
Ernest: Her mum passed
away before we met, so I met with only her father. He welcomed me nicely
and I told him I came to marry his daughter. He saw me as a nice person
and after we discussed, he asked me to bring my family to meet with
theirs.
away before we met, so I met with only her father. He welcomed me nicely
and I told him I came to marry his daughter. He saw me as a nice person
and after we discussed, he asked me to bring my family to meet with
theirs.
What were some of initial challenges you faced when you got married to each other?
Jennifer: The main
challenge I had was that he was not always available. He was always
travelling around for his job and shooting videos, but I held on to God.
We also spoke all the time and that kept me going.
challenge I had was that he was not always available. He was always
travelling around for his job and shooting videos, but I held on to God.
We also spoke all the time and that kept me going.
How would you describe the bond that exists between the two of you?
Jennifer: We met and fell in love naturally like any man and woman would.
Is your marriage perfect?
Jennifer: A marriage
can never be perfect; it is only God that can make it work. We also
disagree and argue like every other couple. At the end of the day, we
learn from our mistakes and move on. This helps us to reach an
agreement.
can never be perfect; it is only God that can make it work. We also
disagree and argue like every other couple. At the end of the day, we
learn from our mistakes and move on. This helps us to reach an
agreement.
What kind of man is your husband?
Jennifer: He plays the
role of a father, husband and brother. One amazing thing about him is
that he has the heart of a child; he does not have a heart of stone. He
might seem tough when he talks, but he is not really that way.
role of a father, husband and brother. One amazing thing about him is
that he has the heart of a child; he does not have a heart of stone. He
might seem tough when he talks, but he is not really that way.
What are some of the things you do to get each other angry?
Ernest: She has some
principles that I find rather uncomfortable and they do not go down well
with me. However, we always try to find a balance and make everything
work.
principles that I find rather uncomfortable and they do not go down well
with me. However, we always try to find a balance and make everything
work.
Jennifer: He likes to
throw things in various random directions in his room. He likes a lot of
clothes, shoes and caps which he never places in their correct
positions. He only returns them to their rightful positions after we
might have argued about it. Disturbing him whenever he is listening to
music can also lead to arguments. Aside from these, he is a nice person.
throw things in various random directions in his room. He likes a lot of
clothes, shoes and caps which he never places in their correct
positions. He only returns them to their rightful positions after we
might have argued about it. Disturbing him whenever he is listening to
music can also lead to arguments. Aside from these, he is a nice person.
How do you make up when you have misunderstandings?
Jennifer: Discussing
issues helps us to settle our differences. One thing about marriage is
that when you involve a third party to settle your issues, they would
destroy your marriage. All you have to do is understand each other, your
likes, dislikes and try to balance it. That keeps our marriage going.
issues helps us to settle our differences. One thing about marriage is
that when you involve a third party to settle your issues, they would
destroy your marriage. All you have to do is understand each other, your
likes, dislikes and try to balance it. That keeps our marriage going.
How were you able to build a successful marriage?
Ernest: I am a
prayerful person. Whenever I encounter any issues, I pray to God and ask
for solutions. When He gives me solutions, I apply them to my marriage
and that works for me.
prayerful person. Whenever I encounter any issues, I pray to God and ask
for solutions. When He gives me solutions, I apply them to my marriage
and that works for me.
For some time now, you have not been acting. Is your wife responsible for this?
Ernest: It was because I
had challenges with my legs. I needed to recover fully before venturing
into acting again. I am a vibrant person who likes to run around and
remain very active. I need to be able to do that fully again. I will
return to Nollywood when I recover completely, but right now, I am
married to my faith.
had challenges with my legs. I needed to recover fully before venturing
into acting again. I am a vibrant person who likes to run around and
remain very active. I need to be able to do that fully again. I will
return to Nollywood when I recover completely, but right now, I am
married to my faith.
What advice do you have for intending couples?
Jennifer: They should
be prayerful and ensure that they are getting married to the right
person else they will have problems in their marriage. They should make
God the head of the family and understand each other. They should know
their likes, dislikes, be able to share their views and fears with their
partner. These things make a marriage healthy.
be prayerful and ensure that they are getting married to the right
person else they will have problems in their marriage. They should make
God the head of the family and understand each other. They should know
their likes, dislikes, be able to share their views and fears with their
partner. These things make a marriage healthy.
What advice do you have for celebrities who are also married?
Ernest: They should lean on God first and always do the right things. Also, they should make out time to know their spouses.
Do you both disagree over money?
Jennifer: Money comes
and goes. If you enjoy it while you have it, then you both have to
adjust and endure when you do not have it. Personally, I do not think it
should be a problem in any marriage.
and goes. If you enjoy it while you have it, then you both have to
adjust and endure when you do not have it. Personally, I do not think it
should be a problem in any marriage.
Does your husband help out with chores at home?
Jennifer: He is not the kind of man that wants to do domestic chores. He assists sometimes but not all the time.
How do you spend time as a couple?
Jennifer: We watch
music while sipping a glass of wine. But because of his health, we have
not really visited a nightclub. We want him to heal completely. We also
discuss the Bible and talk about God.
music while sipping a glass of wine. But because of his health, we have
not really visited a nightclub. We want him to heal completely. We also
discuss the Bible and talk about God.
What was the nature of his sickness?
Jennifer: He had a
partial stroke, but he is getting better. In fact, his recovery is
amazing and we want him to recuperate completely before he can commence
any strenuous activity. We are acting according to the advice from the
doctors.
partial stroke, but he is getting better. In fact, his recovery is
amazing and we want him to recuperate completely before he can commence
any strenuous activity. We are acting according to the advice from the
doctors.
Did you feel like leaving him when he was sick?
Jennifer: No, I never felt that way. I knew he would get better and I trusted God too. He is my husband so I could not have left him.
What do you think of the negative stories that were written about him?
Jennifer: It is really
painful yet surprising. This was someone that was always beside me, so I
wonder why it was reported that he died. What they could have done was
to find out if any of the stories were true before they were published.
How many people will I explain to that there is no iota of truth in the
stories? I feel bad when they write all those things that seek to
tarnish my husband’s good image.
painful yet surprising. This was someone that was always beside me, so I
wonder why it was reported that he died. What they could have done was
to find out if any of the stories were true before they were published.
How many people will I explain to that there is no iota of truth in the
stories? I feel bad when they write all those things that seek to
tarnish my husband’s good image.
What pet names do you call each other?
Jennifer: He calls me Wifey and I call him El Cream. El Cream means El-Shaddai Christ Rules Everything Around Me.