They are twin sisters and they are doing well in Nollywood. Having featured in other people’s movies, Tracy and Treasure Daniels are now into production. Only last month, they released a movie entitled, Beloved Twins and followed it up recently with Twins Destiny. In this chat with Entertainer, Tracy opens up their career, challenges and why her marriage to an Indian crashed.
Excerpts:
What have you guys up to lately?
Right now we are focusing on our acting careers. Last month, we released a movie entitled, Beloved Twins, written by my twin sister, Treasure Daniels, and produced by me. It stars Monalisa Chinda, Tracy Daniels, Treasure Daniels, and Christy Okonkwo, and was directed by Evans Anele. And this month, we’ve just released Twins Destiny, the sequel to Beloved Twins.
Can we know a bit about your background?
Our parents are ministers of God so we were brought up in the way of the Lord. As a Pastor’s kid, people always had unrealistic expectations of you. You are constantly under surveillance of holy people who are constantly checking whether you are living up to expectation and are quick to criticize your every move.
What projects are you currently working on?
We are working on a movie we produced recently featuring Bishop Ime Umo, Denrele Edun, Martha Ankomah, Ruth Kadiri, Karen Igho and Tracy and Treasure Daniels.
When and how did you start acting professionally?
Professionally we started in 2001 when we featured in Tchidi Chikere’s movie, Hatred. We played Sandra Achums and Zack Orji’s wayward children alongside Nonso Diobi.
Which movie would you say brought you into the limelight?
It was Divine Twins followed by Hatred and then Love & Cash. After the release of Love & Cash, fans started writing us on social media from all over the world including Chinese fans.
Were you born with a silver spoon?
We were born with a clergy spoon if there is anything like that. It is a kind of spoon that teaches you to look up to God for everything you need. It teaches you contentment and how to handle delayed gratification. It teaches you sharing and selflessness.
What are your challenges as actors?
It is like we jumped from frying pan to fire trying while running away from pastor’s kids’ image to becoming free adults, not knowing that becoming celebrities means good bye to your freedom, because like gold fish there is no hiding place for you. Your embarrassing moments are public affairs so all your enemies must hear about it. The society expects your character to be perfect and flawless. Then your critics think you are made of steel and therefore they can hit your heart with a sledgehammer and expect you not to break in pieces; that is the dark side of our job.
Who gave you best advice in the industry?
Chief Pete Edoche. He gave us fatherly advice when we played his twin daughters in Divided Secret. He advised that if we want to last long as entertainers we should not be desperate. We should follow God’s pace and never be in a hurry. That we should be original and never copy people. He advised us to be humble at all times and never feel too big for our fans.
Tracy, your marriage came as a surprise. What has changed since you got married, especially between you and sister?
Why should it come as a surprise to people? Is it that I am not of marriageable age or I didn’t seek permission from the public before getting married? People dissected my marriage until it crashed. I guess those people are happy right now. Some said I married an old Indian man. Is it because he is a chief? Does that suggest he is an old man? Our people made him chief because of the good things his company did for the community where it operates in Delta State. Please, he is a handsome young man, biko. Others said he is a billionaire and I married him because we were poor. I felt so betrayed. His people read all the nonsense you people were posting on the social media. How do you want them to feel after that? I wouldn’t say we were rich but we were not poor enough for me to sell myself for money. At least, I had produced three movies already in the market even before I met him. I had also featured in over 20 movies and I was well paid. Others said I married him so I can become a foreign citizen. I cried when I saw that very one. Why should I leave an oil rich nation like Nigeria and go to a third world country for citizenship? I am not giving this interview to defend my decision or reply my critics but I just want to appeal to our people to be cautious of the things they say on social media.
What attracted you to him in the first place?
He is a perfect gentle man. He made me fly without wings. He made this wicked world beautiful for me.
Why did you choose to marry an Indian?
The guy met all my criteria plus more. I had set a standard and he met up with it so he became the one. Unfortunately the marriage crashed irretrievably. I lamented the loss of my happiness. Many things happened that I couldn’t understand. It was like some forces conspired to fight my happiness. The gods lifted me up then let me fall! They put me on a royal seat in marriage and cut my celebration short and put me back in this cold market of singlehood. I am done crying; I am moving from the victim mode and activating my survivor mode. If divorce is one of the paths God wants my destiny to take, I have gone through it. The pain is too much; I don’t wish it for my enemy. It is one thing I feared so much but it has happened. I have cried but I survived. Most importantly, God healed me of bitterness. I am full of forgiveness and peace, that is why I am talking about it now in the media.
What actually was the cause of the marriage break up?
He was still deeply involved with his past relationship. The interference was so much it did not allow us move forward. Someone from his past would not let go and he wasn’t strong willed enough to resist, so he bowed to the pressure and gave up on our dreams.
What lessons have you learnt from the experience?
The major one is to always forgive. Second is that things are not always the way you think. I learnt to give people a chance to explain situations. I also learnt not to judge any matter or take sides till I have heard extensively from both parties.
What kind of man do you want in your next marriage?
I want a gentleman who honours, respects and appreciates womanhood. I want a real man. And he should be able to hold his grounds and play his role as the head of a family. I want a man who is not threatened by a woman’s success. I want a man who submits to Almighty God in fear. The Sun
