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.
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.
