Regina Askia Williams: Many Happy Returns to NOLLYWOOD

This is a shout out to all you NOLLYWOOD guys. Many happy returns to you. For braving all odds, zero production facility, zero power supply, no transportation, no gas, but you did it against all odds. CONGRATULATIONS.

I have walked that path in your shoes and I know (boy do I know?) that its not all meat and potatoes on your plate. I know the frustrations and
deep loneliness that could come with superstardom.

Having to constantly live up to expectations and never being able to truly discover the person behind the hype. Worse when you start believing that hype. Your own life becomes like a role in one of the story lines, true friends dissappear.

Papparazzi builds a glam personality (you love) and call it you - and then make a fortune tearing it down ( by wantonly assasinating your character) - however untrue.

You hold your head high telling yourself YOU JUST DONT CARE, Oh but you do.

Those half truths sting so bad. As things were not bad enough, folks you could swear would defend at all cost sell out.
Lets not paint only gloom now because the K'ching K'ching echoes from your bank does make you smile.

Good or bad superstardom comes at a price. This is where I reach out to you . Log on and vent. Remember no one knows you better than you.

Take the chance to put in a good word on your behalf before some one else who may not be so kind does. Some peolple's 15 minutes of Fame will be when they can coast dirt on you. I think Ini Edo is piggy backing some peoples deperate need for fame right now. Hang in there girl - this one too will pass.

Log on , call yourself who ever you please just remember that a problem shared is a problem halfed. A sucess story spreads the cheer.
Talk might be cheap but it does go a long way. It helps to talk about it.......better still, vent.

Having said that lets toast to your accomplishments - at making it against all odds. Here is a roll call of those of you I could reach . Do send a little bio or intro as you would like it read as a profile. If you arent here, send me pics.

I welcome any efforts of collaboration to link Nollywood, Bollywood and Hollywood. Who knows where this may take us. Oh yes RAZ , im talking to you. Our conversation at the Staten Island festival must have left you thinking I want to do nothing more than a medical practitioner and I was too blasted at the NEA reception to put in a word? Okay

Here we go. It really would be nice to get something started with Magic Johnson and the rest .One great script and a joint effort at casting. One good such production would cement Nollywood and Hollywood "what cha think"

(About the NEA reception - Ramsey, hush it up now. If you did not see me , I did not see you - Im still smarting from our fight even tho' we called a truce . I thought we were cool , you know ...anyway it all good now. Cheers )

The recent trend of Nigerian producers shooting in the US and abroad is a welcome development . Such should be encouraged. Extensive sponsorship drive will fund flying in seasoned artiste. Sometimes too many "waka pass" will spoil the show. The "waka passes " are feeling some star dust - you all remeber how you felt the first days out. Thats why we just smile

Hello Dolly, Are you back in Nigeria for real? Good for you. I take it that you have had your fill of "Obodo Oyibo" and need to set root among your people. I understand the need for that connection but please stay safe. It was great to work with Jim Iyke, Emeka Ike and Tony One Week. Please guys when next you come to town , dont raise all that dust. Jeez......Its still not settled guys.

A million thank yous to Omotola and Ramsey who performed at the Lehman College Fashion show. You made the day.

A big welcome to all the new comers , keep it up . Guys believe it or not, Nolly Wood is catching on out here big time. That interview by Ngozi Nwosu captures all the troubles in a nut shell, you should send me info on the many issues you face and your suggestions on how to resolve them. The producers may hold the aces because they fund, but you hold the talent. Use it well.

I so miss you guys but comming to America was really a good thing for me . I really am a citizen of the world and just really really needed to live in a more humane society. Im deep into the medical field and will finish as a practitioner but that will not be all

Nollywood was for me the platform for a swift take off. Now im in full flight I owe it to those of you comming behind to make solid in roads to self discovery and sucess...