# Nse Ikpe-Etim

Nse Ikpe-Etim (born 21 October 1974) is a Nigerian actress. She came into prominence in 2008 for her role in Reloaded. She was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 5th and 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards for her role in Reloaded and Mr. and Mrs., respectively. In 2014, she won the Best Actress in a Drama award at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for playing "Nse" in Journey to Self.

## Quotes
### 2012

* I’m not a star. I’m just a working actor. Being a ‘movie star’ is not what defines me as a person. What defines me is the smile I’m able to put on someone’s face.
** A Quote from an interview on people seeing her as a star.
* When I get a script, apart from what my director is planning to draw for me, I go to the drawing board, I imagine a lot of things. I dig up experiences which might not be my own. Things I have heard and I create the character.
** A Quote from an interview on how she gets into roles so very well.
* I wasn’t born to get married, so I don’t need to rush.
** A Quote from an interview on what kind of man she will like to marry.
* You should do what you want to do according to what you believe in. Whatever you believe in and that works for you, do it. What I believe in is ‘live and let live’. I try as much as possible to abide by the rules of life.
** A Quote from an interview on her thoughts on sex before marriage.
* My output is based on what I get. It’s based on the surroundings. So if you give me something bad, I won’t do well.
** A Quote from an interview on how to get the best of her performance.

## 2016

* Food is art. Every new recipe comes with its own experience and I am open. I cook everyday and I might as well eat it… I also love take outs too when I find good food.
** A Quote from an interview on being a foodie.
* Good friends always nudge you in the right direction.
** A Quote from an interview on how she got her break into the movie industry.
* Don’t Cook the books be thorough in all you do.
** A Quote from an interview on pursuing your passion.

## 2019

* Let everything happen to you. Beauty and terror. Keep going. Stay fearless.
** A Quote from her social media status.
* When I was asked if my cup was half-full or half-empty, my response was - I'm thankful I have a cup.
** A Quote from her social media status.
* Dear black girl, don't be afraid to shine. Your hair is beautiful and your skin is divine.
** A Quote from her social media status.
* I was told I couldn’t have kids and so, I had to have a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) to have a life again and to stop going through what I was going through. I’m literally telling women and men, it really doesn’t matter if you can’t bear children. What really matters is what you would do for the world, for the universe.
** A Quote from The Guardian Newspaper on an event tagged ‘Conversation with Nse’, where Nse disclosed that she is never going to have a child.
* I’m literarily telling women and men, it really doesn’t matter if you can’t bear children. What really matters is what you would do for the world, for the universe.
** A Quote credited to Nse Ikpe-Etim on moving on in life with or without kids.
* My society taught me that I have to be a mother to be appreciated and every time I went online, I would have one troll or two say ‘you never born? But I’m thankful that that didn’t break me.
** A Quote extracted from The Premium Times on how the childlessness ordeal made her fall into depression but never succumbed to what people said.
* I did not know one day l would be able to talk about my secret because l thought nobody actually cares. I later realized l will not be helping anybody and am thankful about it. You can actually face your fears and conquer them at the same time, that is what l chose to do. Just do you, Just do what you love. Don’t do it because people are going to look at you and think that you are a woman.
** A Quote extracted from her story on the reason she let out her secret and the importance of women being there for themselves irrespective of the pressure.
* Be ready because women have decided that we will work. We will no longer rely on men. When I say work, it’s real work ooo. All work is work.
** A Quote from an event she hosted tagged, ‘Conversation with Nse’ advising men during a session on the role of money in relationships.

## 2020

* Life is short. Make every side-eye count.
** A Quote from her social media status.
* Follow your energy and do what you love all the time; the distinction between work and play dissolves.
** Extracted from her collection of quotes.
* The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it. This is where we live, and it is up to you and me to protect the mother earth who nourishes us.
** Extracted from her collection of quotes.
* If we start being honest about our mental health, instead of pretending they don’t exist, then maybe we’ll be the change we desire, and perhaps make the world a better place than we found it.
** Extracted from her collection of quotes.
* Drink water, do your squats, wear your wellies, eat your vegetables, wear your lipstick, and don’t let boys be mean to you.
** Extracted from her collection of quotes.
* There is danger in letting people misname you. If you’re a fire, do not answer when they call you a spark.
** Extracted from her collection of quotes.