Haillie Sumney

Images courtesy of Haillie Sumney and NANA GAZA

‘I have always been told I have a fierce look, but I promise I don’t bite’

Born in Ghana and raised in the US and Canada, Haillie Sumney is a red-carpet queen, whether interviewing stars at events such as the 2018 Bet Awards in Los Angeles or grabbing the headlines for the show-stopping outfits she wears. She has also hosted high profile events such as the Ghana Music Awards, the MTN 4syte TV Awards and the Ghana Entertainment Awards and has acted in a host of hit films here and in Nigeria. FLYafrica gets to spend some quality time with the ‘Ghana Goddess’ as she shares the Accra restaurant, she would pick for her ideal date night, why caring for others is so important to her and the reason she has such cause to smile now.

Q: Before you got your first break in the entertainment industry, you trained and worked as a nurse in the US and your parents are both doctors. Was setting up the Sumney Foundation [an NGO focused on helping underprivileged children and women] an extension of the caring for others that motivated you as a nurse?

Setting up The Sumney Foundation was a way of giving back to society, but also for those who don’t know I grew up in a humanitarian background. My parents were both missionaries and also have owned an NGO named Mission Africa Inc for more than 20 years. I remember in my younger days my brothers and I would follow my parents to several donation events and help out. Also, as you say, being a nurse before becoming actress, it was only right. I guess I am kind of following in their footsteps in that respect.

Q: Red-carpet events are pressurised environments. You don’t have long with your interviewee. How do you try to put them at ease and get revealing answers from them?

I have had the opportunity to host high profile events like the red carpet for the BET awards in Hollywood courtesy of 4syte TV, where I first made my debut as a TV presenter and also the Ghana Movie Awards. I like to study the person before interviewing them. For example, if the person seems a bit tense, I start off super friendly and crack a joke to break the ice. And usually this works and I just work my way in with questions.

I used to get quite nervous but the more events I have hosted the easier it has become for me. One technique I practise and recommend is asking and answering a few questions in front of the mirror the day before.

Q: Who has been your favourite celebrity to interview and why?

I have interviewed the comedian Michael Blackson at the BET awards and also the Afrima Awards and I enjoyed that for obvious reasons. He is hilarious and makes the interviews fun and easy.

Q: You are a Ghanaian fashionista and an ambassador for shoe brand Jesu Segun London and Senak Hair Collection? Do you think you have a signature look and what effect do you like to create with the looks you choose?

I like to call myself simply fashionable. I don’t like to overdo fashion. I like to keep it simple and cute yet a bit I always wanted to be daring. Jesu Segun London and Senak Hair are all about an actress and model elegant simplicity so it works and at the same time perfect for me representing their brands.

Q: Where do you think your love of performing comes both in the long run from? Was it part of your life growing up?

I have two brothers who are musi- character is quite fun for me. It cians – Moses Sumney in Hollywood also allows me to live my life briefly and Nhyira Sumney, aka Shizzle, in outside the norm and look at the Ghana who are both doing quite well other side of things. if I do say so myself – so I guess it runs in the blood.

Q: You are in the public eye and

I always wanted to be an actress have a bold look and glamorous and model and at the same time a lifestyle, but I have read that you paediatrician. So, I guess I dabbled in are quite a shy person. Has working both in the long run. I remember my in the entertainment industry been mum taking us for auditions in LA being involved in plays and small commercials when we were young.

Q: You have built a very recognisablepublic persona with yourpresenting work and online presence,do you think that makes itharder for audiences to see youportraying different fictional charactersas an actress? Do you enjoyplaying characters that may be along way from your true self?

I love a challenge when it comes to acting so playing an oppositecharacter is quite fun for me. Italso allows me to live my life brieflyoutside the norm and look at theother side of things.

Images courtesy of Haillie Sumney

Q: I see you have been promoting ceramic braces and have had a set fitted yourself. You always look fantastic in your pictures, but I rarely see you smiling. Were you selfconscious about your teeth?

I have always been told I have a fierce look. Smiling hasn’t really been my thing. I was once told I have the [UK pop star-turned fashion designer] Victoria Beckham look. She’s always serious. Hilarious. But I promise I don’t bite. But being a face for Zoe Premium Dental Ghana and getting a smile make over from them has definitely boosted my smile confidence and made me smile more. I can’t deny that.

Q: You seem to be into your food and love sampling new cuisine and new restaurants. If you wanted to impress someone for dinner where would you take them in Ghana and who would be your ideal dinner date?

I love, love, love food and trying new dishes. I love sushi, lasagne and waakye. Ha ha ha! What a combo. I can eat anything from Malawian cuisine to Italian, Ghanaian and Lebanese. I love it all.

My ideal date would be at Santoku, a Japanese fine dining restaurant in Accra and my ideal person to take… well, you will have to find that out later. Ha ha!

Q: Who have been your greatest inspirations and why?

My parents have definitely been my greatest inspiration. They’re one strong body and have achieved so much. They relocated back to Ghana at over 40 years old, started from scratch and achieved a lot and opened several businesses. They were my encouragement to move back home from California and I do not regret it one bit.

Q: Who would you like to say ‘sorry’ to?

I would probably say sorry to anyone I have offended unknowingly. We grow and we learn.

Q: What would your ideal weekend in Ghana involve?

My ideal weekend in Ghana would definitely have to end up at the beach at some point. I love water and we have some nice beaches and resorts. And of course, as I stated earlier, I love, love, love food so some fine dining would be a lovely idea or better yet, some lovely home cooking from me with a nice bottle of wine.

Q: Your Snapchat handle is ‘Ghana Goddess’. You are obviously very proud of your heritage. What do you think makes your country so special?

My nickname is “The Ghana Goddess”. A name I acquired after high school among friends apparently because of how graceful I am and how I carry myself and I heard I dress like a goddess. Quite interesting, huh? So, I decided to keep the name and use it in showbiz. It sounds catchy. Ghana is a very peaceful country and has developed quite quickly. I love my Ghana.

Q: You are a major player in Nollywood and Ghallywood with your latest film the comedy ‘2 Days After Friday’. Do you see the Ghanaian film industry expanding and do you any film projects in development?

I am active in both Ghallywood and Nollywood equally, I would say. I have a series I featured in called ‘Eden’ that is now available on Google Play and Amazon Prime so I’m super excited about that. There is also a movie I had a lead role in called ‘A Woman’s Scorn’ which can be seen on IROKOtv and Rok on Dstv. And of course, my all-time favourite ‘Real Lagos Fake Life” on Netflix.

Images courtesy of Haillie Sumney

Images courtesy of Haillie Sumney

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Facebook: Haillie Sumney Snapchat: theghanagoddess Instagram: @hailliesumneyofficial Twitter: @hailliesumney YouTube: Haillie Sumney TV