Blessing Onwukwe, popularly known as Mama Monica from the viral YouTube movie Monica, has shared how she landed the role that put her in the spotlight, while also revealing that she earned over N1 million from the production.
Speaking on 89.9 Yanga FM, she said the opportunity came unexpectedly after a call from the producer.
“She just called me one morning and said, ‘Aunty B, tell me you’re available. I don’t see anybody in this role,’” she said.
She added that she asked to see the script first.
“So I now said, ‘Okay, let me read the script,’ and she sent it to me,” she said.
According to her, once she read the script, she started thinking deeply about how to interpret the character.
“I started thinking of so many things. How am I going to bring this character to life?” she said.
She explained that she even created a background story for the character to help her understand her better.
“I had to cook up a background story for the character to become the way she is,” she said.
Mama Monica said by the time she got to set for Monica 1, she had already fully stepped into the role.
“I went to set with a lot of energy, but before I even got there, I had already become Mama Monica,” she said.
The discussion later turned to her pay, with the interviewer asking: “How much they pay you? Wetin be the range for Monica?”
She responded simply: “Monica pass one million.”
When asked if it was for the first or second instalment, she said: “Monica 2, it pass one million.”
Pressed further, she confirmed: “Yes, pass.”
The comments have since sparked reactions online, with some viewers praising her performance and saying she delivered strongly in the role.
Bonnie144 wrote: “Of course e suppose pass 1 million. Your character strong and you delivered.”
Another user said: “Thank God you picked up that call. This is your time.”
Others, however, felt the interviewer went too far asking about her earnings.
Steph_talks on Instagram wrote: “Asking how much she was paid is so unprofessional stop it!!”
Some viewers also credited filmmaker Uche Montana for casting her in the role, saying it helped bring the character to life.
