Kate Henshaw is called “The Institution”. A name that originated from Nollywood actor Uche Jumbo that she’s also seeking the meaning of, but I think I can take a wild guess… At 51 and with a career spanning 30 years, Kate Henshaw is a force. She’s that and more, alright? Kate Henshaw; Aunty Kate, as we fondly call her, is a delight. Her energy is infectious; it’s unreal how she lights up the space with the sweetest smile. Starting her acting career in the East per chance, thanks to the late JT Tom West, she auditioned rather ‘unseriously’, modeled, and all this with a background in science, but the film industry chose her, and she’s been thriving, making the bank, being fit, and being fabulous. She continues to have an exciting career several years later, an activist who can talk politics all day. In 2011, she was named a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the Nigerian federal government. You get to find out all this and more in this delightful, -if I do say so myself- interview.

What keeps you going?

The fact that God wakes me up every day. That’s another chance to just try. I try not to stay down too long. Not that I’m up, up, up all the time. Like yesterday, I was a bit down. A friend lost her husband. But by the time I got home, I just put on some music. In my house, I have speakers from top to bottom. I make sure music is in the air. It does a lot for your mental attitude. You know, for everything. Whether you want to meditate, put on some slow music. You want energy; go, go, go. You know you want some jazz. Just surround yourself with what you surround yourself with. The people you surround yourself with have a huge impact on you as a person. When they say, “Show me your friend, and I’ll tell you who you are”. It’s true. It is so true. What you surround yourself with and what you let yourself breathe in. So important.

You’ve been really active in making political statements. You’re very vocal. You’ve been at the fore of very strong conversations. Are you looking to go into politics?

I already did. In 2014. I’ve already tried. But just let people know that. The office of the citizen is the highest office. Higher than even that of the president. No apologies. Because these are the people who came to you and said they wanted your votes. They want to serve you. How did they turn out to be taskmasters? And you are the ones serving them. We need to hold public leaders accountable. We ourselves, the followers, the citizens, need to do better. Because when we do better and know better, we can’t ask for better.
If you don’t know what you deserve, you can’t ask for it. Because then you always lessen your worth. But Nigeria is a place where we’ve come to accept the very minimal or the bare minimum as something to celebrate. No. We have leaders who travel. We travel. We see how other countries are. We are so blessed. So blessed. Our multi-tribal, multi-cultural, multi-religious is a place of strength. Not a weakness. And not something to be used against us. If we recognize that we are Nigerians first, human beings first, before your tribe, then, I mean, I’ve always grown up in Nigeria. I don’t hate Igbo. I don’t hate any tribe. I served in Bauchi. My Nollywood career started in the East. You know? So what are we talking about? We ourselves need to be open and just be wise enough to know that this country is all for us. For our children. Now, everybody’s child is away. They’re going to have generations from now who will not know Nigeria as their place of birth or where they come from. They’re going to claim other countries. Meanwhile, they originated here. You know? So, we just need to do better. I know it’s not too late. We can still work at it. But we need to work at it ourselves as well.

We know you from way back, and you’re still here. You’re still setting the bar. How did you get here? What are you doing that has kept you relevant to this day?

I don’t know. Na God na abi, what will I say? How would I answer this kind of question? *Laughs*. I guess, being a professional, first and foremost, I’m a professional in anything that I do. I give a hundred percent, the way I feel in my heart. I just move. I don’t know how to put it in words. – Like, especially this fitness thing that has, you know, taken me to another level, totally unexpected, even for me, that it’s become a huge thing. But one thing I know is that, as a professional who is committed to your craft, people will always see that and want to work with you. That, for me, is more lasting than being a flash in the pan. If you’re a professional, you’re good at your job, you try to improve yourself, and all of that will keep you in good stead. Humility, discipline, professionalism—yeah, it goes a long way.

You are called the institution! What’s the gist behind this?

Hey, it’s Uche! Uche Jumbo. You need to call her on the phone and ask her. You know, every time she says, “The institution”, she says, Kate, you need to be studied. I think to answer that question, you need to call Uche on the phone and ask her why. It would be good to hear why she calls me that. That’s the assignment for you. Please do. It would be nice. *laughs*

We know you have a science background. So why did you choose acting?

It happened to me. I graduated in medical microbiology from the School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Luth Idi Araba, by the way. I used to model. You know how you meet people; you have interactions, and connections. I used to be a runway model. I used to be a calendar model. I shot my very first TV commercial in 1994 for Shield deodorant. So I met people, and that was when I met the late JT Tom West. May his soul rest in peace. He’s the one who invited me to my very first audition. I had no idea what an audition was. I asked him, and when he said, “Let’s go for an audition”, I was like, “What does that mean? What is it?” but I was inquisitive. Being inquisitive also helps you in life when you venture out and want to find out what’s going on. Before you know it, it’s something that you fall in love with. I went for my first audition, and like they say, the rest is history. And here I am, 30 years later. My goodness. It’s scary. That somebody’s lifetime!

"DON'T COME FOR FAME. DON'T COME AND SAY, I WANT TO BE A STAR. I HATE THOSE WORDS. I MEAN, IT MIGHT HAPPEN; YOU'D BE A STAR, BUT THEN HOW DO YOU SUSTAIN IT? SUSTAINABILITY. MAINTENANCE. IT'S WHERE THE WORK IS"

Aunty Kate You are driven; one can tell from the outside looking in; we see your personality. It definitely cannot be something you just wear because people speak highly of you professionally. We see everything you’ve done in production and all of that. How have you been able to achieve this? How do you balance everything? You being your playful self, “energy goddess”, and then you being professional at what you do

I mean, the popular saying goes, “You can’t give what you don’t have”. This is true. Nothing remains elsewhere. You know, energy is very important to me. Energy. The people I associate myself with—I mean, I’m at that age and stage where I don’t want negative vibes. You know, for the rest of my life, I want to live it the way I want to live it. With joy, happiness, and joie de vivre, like the French people say. Convivial, I want that when I walk into a room, everyone is like, “Yay! You know, energy. Energy is very, very important. To start your day, and you can’t give what you don’t have. You can’t. And I’m all about laughter. When it’s time to be serious, be serious. I don’t suffer fools gladly. I’m sorry. I don’t like lateness. I just don’t like people who are disorganized. It messes with my head. That’s it.

"WHATEVER HAS HAPPENED IN MY LIFE, IT'S ALL BEEN TESTS, TESTIMONIES, AND LIFE'S LESSONS. AND I'M RUNNING MY OWN RACE THE WAY I KNOW AND SEE FIT. I'M NOT LOOKING TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT. I'VE DONE VERY WELL".

So with everything so far—your career, your business, your life, everything in between—do you have regrets?

It’s good you asked this question. You know, as I woke up yesterday and this morning, I said to myself, Kate, you’ve done well. You’ve done well. You’ve not done badly for yourself at all. You are not going to measure yourself by other people’s standards. Some people have big corporations. Some are gunning for different things. But we all have different directions and different paths in life. And I have no regrets whatsoever. Whatever has happened in my life, it’s all been tests, testimonies, and life’s lessons. And I’m running my own race the way I know and see fit. I’m not looking to the left or the right. I’ve done very well. And if anything should happen now, I’m going to nod my head and say, Kate, I was here. You were here.

I skipped the question. To anyone looking to make a name in the movie industry and stay for a while. I mean, just like you’ve shown everybody that it’s possible, do you have tips for them?

Don’t come for fame. Don’tcome and say, I want to be a star. I hate those words. I mean, it might happen; you’d be a star, but then how do you sustain it? Sustainability. Maintenance. It’s where the work is. You come with your shoulders in the air; you don’t have respect for those who come before you; that’s a pet peeve of mine. I’m sorry. You don’t have respect for those that come before you; you don’t greet; you are not willing to be taught. It’s not going to last, and it’s not a curse. You need to watch those who came before you who are still in the game and still relevant. I don’t need to mention names; you can check. Come for the love of the craft; come to learn; even I learn every day.
I remember Uncle Olu saying to me, “ Be willing to learn and to better yourself”. See what is being done out there—the practices. I’ve done stage, TV, and film. Sorry, I’m calling Rita’s (Rita Domninic Anosike) name; she has done stage, TV, and films as well. And so many other people that I can call. That’s why I watch movies. I watch other actors in Hollywood, and Bollywood; I want to see how they’re doing it. I love Viola Davis so much. I love her. She’s someone I love. Lately, JLo, I am seeing her comic side; you know, there are two movies of hers I’ve watched; this woman is actually very funny. She’s a strong woman. I love Tracee Ellis Ross, and I love Charlize Theron. She’s got a long, lean look. I love it. There are so many of them like that that I really like.
Top of my list is Angela Bassett at 60-something. You see, we are following her. You know, these are people who have been in the game. They’re still there. There’s something that they’re doing right. They are conscientious about their work. They don’t mess around with their job. They don’t feel as if they have a right that everybody should kowtow and bow to them. No. Have a teachable spirit. Being able to learn is, for me, the best thing ever.

You’re a fitness buff, obviously; we saw a lot of what you did today (at the photoshoot). What tips can you share with us lazy people?

First and foremost, your mindset has to be ready. I always say your body won’t go where your mind doesn’t take it. If you’re not mentally ready, forget it. If you’re not ready, forget it. I would say start slowly. Start with something you love. Don’t go in all like, “Oh, I have three months to lose this weight”. You will fall flat on your face. Because when you do it, it will be hard to get up. Make it a progression. Make it something you can sustain. And please do not starve yourself. You need food. You need energy. There’s nothing wrong with intermittent fasting. There’s nothing wrong with dieting. But you have to back it up with exercise. With stretches, yoga, and pilates. Not only gym. Walking, squats. There’s so much you can do. There is so much information out there. That if you do and truly want, you can have a fit lifestyle. Which will help you when you’re older. Like me. I’m telling you. It will help you.

So when you’re not acting and actively participating in giving back activities, like being at fitness places, encouraging people and individuals, and being a role model, what else do you do? How do you unwind?

I hang with my friend Rita Reedee (Rita Dominic-Anosike). Sometimes when she’s around, but she’s almost never around. I hang out with her. I also like spa treats a lot. I can do massage every week. I love massages. I love going out to lounges to relax and dance. Anywhere there’s music, I must dance. I’m not one of those who goes out and is seated on a chair. No. I’ll be the only one on the floor since the rest of you don’t like good music. I’ll be the only one on the dance floor. And then I relax. I watch TV and movies. Listen to music. Read a book or two. That’s it. That’s how I unwind.

So away from the industry now, although you may not realize it, many of us look up to you as a role model. What tips do you have for us?

I know this is old school, but please learn to keep some parts of yourself private. It’s important. You know, there’s so much peer pressure now. So, I can sort of understand what’s going on, especially on the internet, with putting all of your life out there. Choose what you put out. Because at the end of the day, that’s what they’re going to use to judge you. Learn to separate the private from the public. You know? It’s extremely important. And be yourself.
Don’t be afraid to be different. Don’t follow trends or the crowd. Stay in your lane! People don’t like to mind their own lane. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. To be authentic. Because everyone else is taken. Be you. If you are the black speck of rice inside the white rice, you will stand out. If you’re looking the same, what’s different about you? How do you separate yourself from the rest? How? How am I going to see you? Unless you’re doing something different, scream if you want to. Come in with your bald, shaved head. Stand out. Simple.Stand out. Be yourself. People are so fake. Social media encourages you to do more than you can sustain. I can never do that.
I dance to encourage myself. That’s how I am in the gym and everything. I am so glad that I grew up in a time when there was no pressure. There were no phones. OG before IG. And you can do it now. You can filter. Phones are like drugs; studies have shown that people spend more time on their phones. Even on the road. It’s addictive. you forget. You don’t even know. You spend three hours on your phone. Time has gone by. So for me, I do my post. I answer comments. Then I move on to other things. In the evening, when I have time, I come back to it. I time my posts and my responses. No, I have to do all that. I’m here for this shoot. Have you seen me press the phone? This is important.