Alvan Ude isn't trying to impress you as an actor; he doesn't have to. He shows up on your screen, does the work, and leaves you thinking about it for days. That is the "Alvan effect."
A quiet threat in Nollywood, Alvan has steadily built an impressive track record with roles in Love Unscripted, To Love Again, The Trap Of Silence, Tinsel, Therapy Home, Babymaker, and many more. In his latest role in the highly anticipated Blood Sisters 2, he proves once again that power onscreen isn't about volume, but presence.
We caught up with the talented rising star popularly known as "Alvantheactor" to talk about his transition from stage to screen, his Nollywood inspirations, and what goes on behind the scenes.
Party Jollof Africa: You are a passionate stage actor. How did that background accelerate your journey into Nollywood?
Alvan: I actually studied Estate Management at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), but my love for acting is entirely natural. I began acting as a kid. My mom was an actress, so I probably got the gene from her. Right after graduating from secondary school, I started attending auditions and featured in two movies. I distinctly remember going for a shoot somewhere in Ile-Ife before I even gained admission into OAU.
I have always loved to act. Interestingly, I grew up in Alamutu Estate, the exact same estate where Ramsey Nouah, Pat Attah, and Emeka Ike lived when they were young actors. Seeing them around inspired me from a very young age. I even remember Pat Attah approaching my mom once for permission to have me play his child in a movie, but I couldn't take the job because it fell during the school term.
Party Jollof Africa: That’s incredible! Having an actress for a mom and Nollywood legends as neighbors must have been quite an experience. How did that environment shape the actor you are today?
Alvan: Growing up around people who are considered Nollywood legends today gave me an immense amount of faith in myself. Even though I was young, I could tell they were still struggling actors back then. The fact that Ramsey Nouah, Pat Attah, and Emeka Ike all eventually succeeded became a massive source of encouragement for me. It was living proof that I could succeed as an actor too.
My mom’s background in acting was also a game-changer. During the early years of my career, she was my major sponsor. She gave me the money to attend every single audition I needed to be at and never got tired of supporting me, even when the success wasn't visible yet. Success takes time, and anyone on a quest to succeed needs people who believe in them enough to understand that reality.
Party Jollof Africa: Transitioning from theatre to film can be tricky. What is one major lesson you learned on stage that still saves you on a film set?
Alvan: It definitely took time for me to perfect my screen acting after starting out on stage. Screen acting requires much less "work" in terms of scale than stage acting. If you aren't hyper-aware of that difference, you might be a fantastic stage actor but come across as an awful screen actor.
Party Jollof Africa: On that note, do you believe all onscreen actors should have stage experience or be able to perform on stage?
Alvan: Yes, absolutely. The core talent is exactly the same, but the approach is different. On screen, you can be incredibly subtle because the camera catches everything. On stage, you have to be much bigger with your expressions, movements, and voice projection. If you’re a good actor and you know how to adapt, you can absolutely do both.
Party Jollof Africa: Many people look at the film industry from the outside and see pure glamour. What is one aspect of acting you thought would be glamorous but turned out to be "pure grinding"?
Alvan: The process itself. Given how good I knew I was, I honestly thought the road to success would be a walk in the park. But I have learned the hard way that talent is simply not enough there is so much more to success than just being skillful. I’ve had to learn to delay gratification. As an actor, most of the projects you shoot aren't released immediately, so you must be deeply patient. Someone once told me that it isn't necessarily the best actors who become stars, but the most patient ones.
Party Jollof Africa: Let’s talk about performance types. Fight scenes, crying scenes, romance scenes, which of these is technically the hardest for you to execute, and why?
Alvan: (Smiles) Honestly, neither crying nor fighting in a film is hard for me; I genuinely enjoy doing both. But if I'm being completely honest, I love kissing scenes the most!
Party Jollof Africa: Alvan! At least you’re honest. We might have to nominate you for a "Best Kiss" award soon! Moving away from that, do you watch your own scenes when a movie is released? How do you rate your performances?
Alvan: (Laughs) Yes, I watch my scenes a lot! I am also a video editor, so I actually get to edit my own scenes from the films I feature in. It’s been an amazing opportunity for me to spot my lapses firsthand and actively work on them.
Party Jollof Africa: An actor and an editor? Talent truly runs deep over there! Let’s dive into your recent milestone. What was life like for you before landing a role in the blockbuster Blood Sisters 2?
Alvan: Before Blood Sisters 2, I had always been a working actor. That means I was consistently active, getting gigs, and keeping busy. Even though they weren't always massive mainstream projects, I have always given my absolute best to every single project, whether small or big.
Party Jollof Africa: Very true, there are no small roles, only small actors. What was it like stepping into your character for Blood Sisters 2?
Alvan: The character I play in Blood Sisters 2 is named "Badagry." He is a snitch, the guy who sells out Nancy Isime and Ini Dima-Okojie’s characters. For the money, of course! (Laughs)
Party Jollof Africa: So "Badagry" really loves the bag! Blood Sisters 2 has a brilliant, slow-burn thriller vibe. What is one tiny physical detail or choice you added to your body language that viewers might not consciously notice?
Alvan: One unique thing I did to bring Badagry to life was making sure I truly felt the physical pain he was undergoing. While filming, I actually insisted on being punched for real. Acting is ultimately about reacting; if an actor is rightly instigated by a real physical stimulus, he will react in the most authentic manner possible.
Party Jollof Africa: Wow, so those punches were completely real! Talk about commitment to the craft. Blood Sisters 2 revolves entirely around secrets and survival. If you had to hide a massive secret in real life, who is the one person you would trust with it?
Alvan: I would trust my mom with any secret in my life. She is, without a doubt, one of my most trusted persons.
Party Jollof Africa: If Alvan and Badagry got into an arm-wrestling match right now, who is walking away with the win?
Alvan: Badagry vs. Alvan? Badagry is from the streets, he’s hood! So he would definitely win that one. (Laughs)
Party Jollof Africa: What should audiences expect from "Alvantheactor" after Blood Sisters 2?
Alvan: You should definitely expect to see Alvan Ude in a lot more blockbusters. Alvan, aka the new Nollywood Bad Boy, only gets better from here.
Party Jollof Africa: If you could magically trade careers with any Nollywood actor for just one week, who would it be and why?
Alvan: If I could trade careers with anyone, it would definitely be Jim Iyke. He is my ultimate role model, and I admire him immensely.
Party Jollof Africa: Ah, so that’s where the "Nollywood Bad Boy" energy comes from! Speaking of that performance style, there is a very fine line between intensity and overacting. How do you draw that line as a thespian?
Alvan: Indeed, there is a very thin line between intensity and overacting. The way I avoid crossing it is by paying absolute attention to my director on set. An actor is an instrument in the hands of a director. A good actor knows that their director is their most accurate counselor in the room.
Party Jollof Africa: You mentioned studying Jim Iyke. As a rising actor, how exactly did you study him, and how has he shaped your career trajectory?
Alvan: I studied Jim Iyke like a textbook! (Laughs) He has influenced me so greatly that people on the streets literally call me the "young Jim Iyke." I fell in love with his craft as a teenager and was obsessed with his style. I wanted to be just like him, I grew a big Afro like him and dressed exactly like him. I even used to tell people back then that he was my biological uncle because I truly felt we looked alike!
Party Jollof Africa: Jim Iyke will definitely be calling you after this! Let’s step away from the industry for a moment. When the cameras are off and the lights are down, who is Alvan the person?
Alvan: When the camera is off, Alvan wears a few different hats. I am a realtor, an automobile trader, the CEO of an advertising firm called Advert Eyes, and lastly, I am an evangelist.
Party Jollof Africa: Wow, a multi-faceted man. How do you unwind after a long day of grinding across all these industries?
Alvan: I usually unwind by listening to rap music or gospel messages. I also love cooking and just staying indoors with my family.
Party Jollof Africa: To wrap things up, if you had a magic wand, what is the one major change you would like to see in Nollywood right now?
Alvan: One major change I want to see is the absolute eradication of piracy. Honestly, piracy is a termite eating up the fruits of our labor in this industry. We simply cannot continue like this.
Party Jollof Africa: A powerful note to end on. Thank you so much for your time, Alvan!
Until next time, when we bring you another rising star, remember: Alvan doesn't just chase the moment, he becomes it.