, Nollywood actress Sharon Ooja has said she refuses to allow fame or the pressure that comes with celebrity status to change her personality. She insists that she remains committed to being approachable and relatable.
According to Channels Television, Ooja made the remarks during an appearance on Sunrise. There, she spoke about the realities and pressures of being famous. She also discussed how her upbringing has shaped the way she handles public attention.
“Honestly, I’m gonna say a big no. And that’s because of how I was raised,” she said while responding to a question about whether she feels pressure from being a celebrity.
Sharon Ooja credits family upbringing
The actress said she grew up in a close-knit family. Her parents consistently taught their children to remain grounded regardless of their achievements.
“My parents are very hands-on. And from the jump, they let us know, everybody, no matter what you do, you must remain normal and you must be approachable,” Ooja said.
She explained that the lesson became particularly important when her acting career began attracting greater public attention.
According to her, she consciously decided that becoming popular would not create a barrier between her and other people.
“When I started getting really popular, I told myself, I want to be the kind of celebrity that is approachable. I want to be relatable, be human. I really want to be me,” she said.
Ooja says she wants to remain relatable
The actress added that she always wants people who interact with her to leave with the impression that fame has not changed how she relates with others.
“I tell myself everywhere that I go, I want to be able to leave an impression where they say, ‘She’s a human being o,’” Ooja said.
She explained that she does not want her status as a movie star to prevent her from having ordinary conversations. Also, she wants to keep connecting naturally with people.
“I’m a star. I don’t want to lose myself. I want to walk into this room and have a beautiful conversation like we’re having and feel like we just had a conversation,” she said.
Ooja concluded that maintaining that mindset has helped her avoid feeling overwhelmed by expectations surrounding celebrity life.
“And that’s one of the things I have categorically told myself: zero pressure for me,” she said.
