In
the 90s, Benita Okojie, at the tender age of 12, was a sensation as a
gospel music child artiste. Now 24, the multiple award-winner relives
the experience of stardom and adulthood
Child stars face a lot of pressures while growing up, did you experience such?
I did but the winning factor for me was
the close relationship I had with God and my family. I did not shut my
loved ones out of my life. They are the ones who can tell me the truth
about anything, no matter how big it is. I have a good relationship with
my parents and I talk to them about everything. My mother, especially,
was a pillar of strength for me and I was able to tell her a lot of
things and she helped me through all the changes. I am a very spiritual
being and I pray a lot.
How did you handle the superstar treatment in school?
The early stages of the job were very
harsh on me. I had friends who just had issues with my person, not
necessarily because I did anything wrong but because they felt that I
was going around with a larger than life image. I do not think that was
the situation but because I am out there, everybody wants to judge me
based on what they don’t even know. I thank God for my parents and my
siblings who helped and supported me all the way. I made very good
friends also. Now, I am a graduate. I have friends who I hook up with
once in a while and we hang out and attend functions together.
