Award-winning actor and producer, Mercy Aigbe-Gentry, is married to Lanre Gentry. They open up on the many controversies that have trailed their marriage in a Punch’s Peter Okeugo. Enjoy:
How did you meet your wife?
Lanre: I met her through one of my friends eight years ago. When I told her I fancied her, she waved it aside. She also told me she already had a fiancé in Malaysia, whom she loved and did not want to let down. One morning, she called to tell me she was at my office. When I got there, she told me she had agreed to marry me. I asked about her fiancé and she told me she only did a bit of leg-pulling. She told me she used to be married and already had a child .That was a non-issue as far as I was concerned.
Mercy: He took me to an eatery and when we finished eating, he popped the question. I was surprised because I was not expecting him to ask me to marry him. He had not taken me out for a long time so I was stunned when he said we should go out. In fact, I teased him that he had changed, not knowing he had something up his sleeve.Were you worried about getting married again?
Mercy: Yes, I was. That was why I said I was not expecting it. I had a bad experience the first time, so I had some reservations and I just wanted to face my career, even though I loved him. I decided to put my trust in God and just go with the flow. I was happy and scared at the same time.
What lessons did you draw from your first marriage?
Mercy: Then, I was young and naive. Now, I handle issues differently. Also, the major reason my first marriage failed was because my ex-husband’s mum did not want him to marry from another tribe.
Is it true that you left your ex-wife because you wanted to marry Mercy?
Lanre: Not too many people know me or how I live my life. Mercy was not instrumental to the breakup of my first marriage. We had been divorced for almost three or four years prior to the time I met Mercy.
You have had your share of controversies and scandals, how have you handled them?
Mercy: I do not think I have had any controversies since I got married. They were just misconceptions. People thought I married a married man and I was a second wife. What they did not know or care to know was that he was already a divorcee when we met.
You must experience domestic issues…
Mercy: There is no home where spouses do not have issues. There is no perfect marriage anywhere in the world. It is normal for husbands and wives to have little misunderstandings, but I have never had any major issue.
Is it true you always embarrass her in public?
Lanre: How can I embarrass my wife in public? I never do that because I respect her as a person, wife and mother. A short time ago, a blogger reported that I beat my wife. I was very angry because I could not understand why I would want to condescend that low. I don’t beat my wife and I have never beaten a woman. I don’t even know how to argue with people.
As a busy woman, how do you create time for your family?
Mercy: My family comes first in everything I do. My career as an actress and my fashion business are secondary to me. Even when I am working, I always take a break to catch up with my kids on anything I might have missed. I cook and pamper my husband like I do for my son. My daughter is a teenager, so I ensure we spend time together during which we talk about everything including sex and boys. Let her hear from the horse’s mouth and not get misinformed outside.
How would you describe the marriage so far?
Lanre: It has been wonderful. She is a wife, mother and sister. She is very honest and always there when I need her. I try my best to encourage her in her career.
What pet names do you call each other?
Mercy: I call him Alade Mi, or Cupcake when I need something from him.
