I was 4th time lucky
With KATE HALIM

Uche Nwaezeapu

Uche Nwaezeapu hit stardom when he emerged the winner of this year’s Gulder Ultimate Search 6 reality show. Calm, cool and soft-spoken, Uche shares his experience with Daily Sun during the search, his greatest threat while in camp, his regrets about stardom and his plans to be a successful actor. Excepts:

How did you feel when you found the horn of valour?
I felt on top of the world. I knew I was already a millionaire rising above the level at which I was at that time. I was glad that I was going to a height I had never attained before.

Investing the prize money
I am still on it. I hope to invest in a lot of things like landed properties. I will invest in myself as a brand, as I have plans to go into entertainment, acting to be precise. I am ready to go to any height to achieve my dreams, acquire more knowledge and take the right steps in the right direction.

Why entertainment?
I was in the entertainment industry before I won Gulder Ultimate Search 6. My life is centered around the entertainment industry. I want to go into the aspect of entertainment which I am familiar with. I have been involved in stage acting for a while now. I was also a TV presenter for a musical show Showtime Africa and I want to develop myself the more.

What skills do you possess that helped you emerge the Ultiman man?
I am a persistent and consistent person. Whenever I am after anything, I pursue it till I achieve my goal. The only disadvantage is that I can at times be a pest because I want to get something done. Most times, it pays off and in Gulder Ultimate Search 6, it paid off.

At what point did you decide to go for GUS?
I have been going for Gulder Ultimate Search for four years and never made it to the final 10. I was always dropped after coming close to being selected among the last 10 contenders. But this time, I made it to the search and I won also.

Who is Uche Nwaezeapu?
I am the first born in a family of five. I am an Economics graduate from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. I am from Delta State, Ibusa, to be precise in Oshimili North Local Government. I am a cool guy, calm, collected and very sensitive though it also has its disadvantages. Being an observant person, people at times don’t see things the way I see them and it often causes misunderstandings.

Who posed the greatest threat to you in camp?
Wale Akanbi. He is a very strong guy, determined but he missed it along the way. I think he probably forgot others were also contending for the same prize. Even though one is determined, you have to also study those around you to know their strengths and weaknesses.

Would you say his eviction was fair since he was a major contender?
Yes. That was not the first time someone would be evicted for losing the totem. The totem is sacred and must be guarded jealously. The Gulder Ultimate Search is not only about physical strength and intelligence, it also involves following instructions. I guess he was a little bit careless with the totem. I am not saying this because I won but because it is the truth. I totally disagree with critics who say Wale was evicted to prevent him from winning the Ultimate Search because it was very hard for all of us out there. The terrain was tough and we all worked hard for the prize but some people fell along the way. His eviction wasn’t a conspiracy. He was asked to do something and he didn’t do it, so he was punished by the council of elders. I won and if there was anyone who would have won based on his performance during tasks, it was Melvin because he won most of the tasks.

Were you scared Melvin might win on the last day of the search?
Yes. I was tensed, at that point because anything could happen. Anyone could have seen the horn first, as we were left in God’s hands and mother luck and I was scared. But I am comfortable with my performance at the GUS. I was always in between during tasks to monitor those behind and the ones forward.

Growing up
It was normal as I came from an average family. I grew up in Lagos and attended the best schools. Growing up was very comfortable for me.

Are you still with your girlfriend?
Yes. I had a girlfriend before GUS 6 and I am still with her. I can’t abandon her because we have a relationship, the prize money notwithstanding.

How do you cope with ladies now?
I am seriously considering changing my line. I don’t know where they get my number from. Their calls can be very annoying but I appreciate all the love and support they give me though it has to remain platonic. I believe it is a price I have to pay for being an ultimate man.

What do you love about stardom?
The fact that there are open doors and I can get what I want faster than anyone else which ordinarily would not have happened. I love the attention I get from Nigerians everywhere I go. They show me a lot of love and attention. The fact that people love me and want to help me thrills me.

What are your regrets of stardom?
First of all, the touts on the road who would not let me be until I part with cash. Since the car is branded, I am always in trouble on the road, especially in a traffic jam. It could be annoying at times to have people crowd your car all the time wanting a share of the prize money. If I don’t appear friendly since they treasure those moments, they might see me as being rude or unable to handle stardom.

Was there a time you felt like leaving the GUS camp?
Yes. When we went hungry for four days and were expected at the same time to perform our tasks excellently or get evicted. I don’t miss my food and it was not funny then. We were exposed to harsh weather conditions, stayed in the rain, wore wet clothes and slept on bamboo beds for weeks. It was uncomfortability all through. I advised myself against going home having come close to the search for four years without headway and cautioned myself that if other guys including ladies endured it, then I would also.

Future plans
In a few years, I should be an established actor/singer, a successful businessman and a better person. I would get married later.

How do you relax?
I love swimming. I also go to the beach to relax with my friends.