Oha MercyElla Adaeze: Talented, confident kid star
Can we meet you?
My name is Oha Mercyella Adaeze, but I am popularly known by my stage name, Starkid. I come from Isuochi in Umunneochi Local Council of Abia State. I am nine years old and in Basic 5. People tell me that I am beautiful and have a very lovely voice and a cute smile.
What do you do?
I am a singer, an actress, a model and a dancer. I also give motivational talks at times.
How do you start what you do?
It all started at a very early stage. My mum discovered my talents, so she helped me to nurture and develop them. At the age of three, I won a pageant show and was crowned the Most Beautiful Girl. At seven, I released my first album titled, Mercyella And The Blessed Kids. It has seven tracks.
From where do you get your inspiration?
My first source of inspiration is God Almighty. He is my greatest inspirer. Asides God, my mum is also a wonderful source of inspiration to me. She is always on the lookout for how to bring out the best in me. My family, friends, supporters and even my fans are also sources of inspiration.
What are the challenges you have encountered in doing what you do?
I think the major challenges I have so far are absenteeism from school. Most times, I miss school for days to attend shows outside the state where I reside.
Oha
Distance has also been a barrier to my career. My mum refuses invitations I get from people countless times because we are not able to meet up. She is a practising business administrator. So, she cannot keep being absent from work because of my shows. Most of the invitations I get are usually outside Port Harcourt. They are mostly from Lagos, Abuja and Asaba, among others. There was even a time I got an invitation from South Africa to perform in a pageant show, but we could not attend because my mum was not granted permission at work.
So, how do you solve these challenges?
I am a very serious pupil. My education is my first priority. I make sure I study ahead of my classmates so that I won’t lag behind. My mum is also helping me a lot. She renders the services of a private tutor and makes sure she covers the syllabus for the term, even before my teacher does.
I can proudly say I have never gone home at the end of the term with a bad grade.
Who are your role models?
I have so many role models in the entertainment industry. In the modelling industry, my role models are Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell. It is my wish to be greater than them. In the music industry, my role model is Simisola known as Simi. I love her songs and performance a lot. In acting, my role models are Rachael Okonkwo, Yul Edochie, Ayo Makun (AY), Genevieve Nnaji and Ini Edo, among others. I won’t fail to mention my beautiful and beloved mum, who is my greatest role model. I call her My Sugar Mummy.
She has taught me how to be strong, even as a little child. In fact, everything I know she taught me. She helps me to write songs and to build my stage performance. I used to be a very shy little girl. Then, my mum would always tell me, “Adaeze, being shy and naive will take you nowhere in life. You have to be smart, outspoken, confident and dream big.” She said only those who dream big make it in life. I must now say that I am no longer the shy type.
Do you make money from what you are doing?
Yes, but it is not as much as I expect. I am still an upcoming celebrity. I know that when I become a well-known celebrity, I will make more money.
How do you balance school and what you do?
I must say it has not been very easy combining both. As one, whose education is a priority, I give quality time to my education.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself becoming very great; like being a top model, a well-known singer and a top actress. In fact, I see myself becoming a megastar, a global celebrity.
What is your advice to other kids?
My fellow kids should take their education serious, and also give maximum attention to their talents because we all have one talent or the other. When talent is properly combined with education, it brings out the best in a child.
They should always believe in themselves. Never look down on yourself, no matter the situation you find yourself. You are for signs and wonders! Always have that at the back of your mind.
