I can’t wait to be in Nollywood, Hollywood – Maryam Booth

WM: How did acting begin for you?
Maryam Adam Booth: Well my aunt Saima Mohamed who was an actress introduced me to Kannywood at the age of eight. In ‘Dawainiya’ I play the role of young Saima Mohammed.
WM: What gave you your first big break?
Booth: It was the movie, ‘Dijangala’. Thanks to Ali Nuhu without him I will never be who I am today. He was the first person who invited me to act. I played the lead role as Dijangala.
WM: Away from the screen, who is Maryam Booth?
Booth: Well Maryam is a kind person who loves to play basketball, eat, watch television series and read novels. I also love to spend time with my family.
WM: Some wonder about the name ‘Booth’ how did it become your family name?
Booth: Booth is my mum’s family name. My mum has a Scottish father and most people call us by that name so we just use it as it is. But my real name is Maryam Adam Daula.
WM: Your mum is an known actress. Growing up, how did you see her?
Booth: Well I see her like everyone will see their mum because she’s a loving and caring mother. It made us feel good when friends would tell us ‘oh we saw your mum on television’ or ‘your mum acts very well.’ She is a very supportive mother and is always there for us whenever we need her. Her family has always been priority. With decisions we want to make, we consult with her because we know what matters to her is our happiness. So that makes us love her more.
WM: Did she have any influence over your decision to become an actress?
Booth: We talked about and she didn’t have a problem. Even at eight years when I started she was absolutely fine with it.
WM: As a child did you imagine you would one day become an actress?
Booth: Yes I did. There was acting all around me and I admired the stars I saw and knew I someday wanted to be like them.
WM: Some say you are riding on your mother’s glory. What do you say about that?
Booth: Well if that’s what they say then it’s true. She’s my mother and has definitely passed on some good creative traits to me.
WM: Would you say you are completely away from her shadow and have made your own name in the industry?
Booth: Yes, I would say so. I think gradually people are looking and appreciating my work as Maryam Booth not as ‘that’s Zainab Booth’s daughter.’ In due time I think it will all go away and I will be seen as me.
WM: What is a typical day like for you?
Booth: Once I get out of bed, I shower, pray, get dressed, fix my hair, eat breakfast, put on make-up and jet off to school. At lunch time, I just eat and hang with friends, more school, come home, eat a snack, homework, read or write or fiddle on the computer, eat with my family, watch series, get ready for bed, and sleep around 10. My life is pretty straightforward.
WM: What’s the one challenge you battle as a female in the Kannywood industry?
Booth: Well Kannywood is like any other industry with it challenges especially when it comes to women thriving in an otherwise male dominated field. Women face a lot of challenges but sometimes you have to overlook it and make the most of them without losing our sense of purpose and direction.
WM: Are you looking to branch into Nollywood?
Booth: I can’t wait. (Laughter) Why not if the opportunity presents itself. Not just Nollywood but Hollywood as well. At least for the next one year, I’ll be working and positioning myself to grow beyond Kannywood.
WM: Asides acting what else do you do?
Booth: I’m a model. I do modeling for people and some enterprises. I am also CEO of Mbooth’s Collections a fashion house. I was in Bayero University where I had my diploma in Mass Communication, and then proceeded to Mantissa College in Malaysia where I obtained my diploma and bachelors degree in Business Administration, and proceeded to do a Masters in business administration. In October 2014 I was an ambassador and a member for Women Development Summit.
WM: How do you manage your numerous fans?
Booth: Without my fans I will never be who I am today so I tried my possible best whenever I can to give them my attention.
WM: What’s the most unusual request a fan has made of you?
Booth:  Asking me to save their numbers which I end up not having free space on my phone.
WM: Could you share embarrassing moments you’ve had being a celebrity?
Booth: You know as a female actress we are facing a lot of challenges here, mostly in the North. People insult us for being in the profession and all sorts of other reasons. But one has to disregard them and focus on one’s goal.
WM: What does acting mean to you?
Booth: Acting gives me the opportunity to express myself as I would love to without inhibitions. It is also my source of income for now.
WM: What project are you working on at the moment?
Booth:  I am taking a break for now before I embark on another project.
WM: Which has been your most challenging role to fulfil and why?
Booth: I don’t think there is any role that would pose a challenge for me. As long as it a role that doesn’t put my integrity or principles in jeopardy, I am up to the task of acting it out.
WM: Who were you movie icons growing up and who in the industry do you admire and why?
Booth: Wow there were a good number of them. But to mention a few, I enjoyed watching the late Rabilu Musa aka Ibro. May his soul rest in peace. Amen. Also, Hauwa Maina. I love the way she interprets her character in movies and the diversity of the roles she has played in different movies with themes that are not even close to each other.