Story
In a Recent Interview with Punch, Actress, Mercy
Johnson and Her Husband which she fondly calls Odi
opened up on how they met, their bond, why they
named their daughter purity, why they would never
cheat on each other, amongst others.
Grab a seat, popcorn and cold ice water as you enjoy
this interview…
How did you meet each other?
Odi: I met Mercy for the first time in 2008 on a flight
from France. We both flew Business Class and I asked
for her number but she refused. She was very down-
to-earth even as a celebrity. I know how a lot of them
behave but she is different. Being very focused and a
go-getter, I did everything I could just to have her
including her number after I set my eyes on her.
Mercy: After the flight episode, he came around to
Surulere where I was getting my hair done at a saloon.
Somehow, he had gotten my number and we spoke.
We talked and later had dinner.
Was it a case of love at first sight for both of you?
Odi: Yes, it was. I realised in no time that she is
homely and everyone who comes in contact with her
just loves her.
Mercy: I love his personality and I am in love with
everything about him. He knew I was an actress but he
didn’t know I was that popular. I remember the very
first day I got to his house, he asked someone to buy
some condiments for me to prepare soup for him.
Then, I said, ‘You must be joking, my name is Mercy
Johnson’ and all he said was, ‘I know.’ That simple
action drew me closer to him.
On How He Proposed
Mercy: During a conversation, he suggested that we
take our relationship to the next level. While we were
dating, I knew we would get married because he
became a part of my life and we were very passionate
about each other. There was a day we attended a
wedding and he said, ‘I think our wedding cake should
have a tint of this colour.’
Any jitters when you were going to meet his
parents for the first time?
Mercy: I met his parents on our third date and his
mum liked me— she is a fan of my movies.
Were you prepared for the attention that comes
with being married to a celebrity when you
decided to marry her?
Odi: Yes I was. As a matter of fact, she was a star
when I met her but not as big as she is right now. I
have decided to remain on the quiet side and watch
her excel in her career and I am extremely proud of
her.
Was he comfortable with your movie roles?
Mercy: He wasn’t comfortable with the romantic
scenes. I stopped taking up such roles in 2009 when I
realised we were getting serious and headed for
marriage. I was so in love with him that I started
adjusting my lifestyle and personality to suit him. He
is enlightened and well-travelled. He understands the
demands of my job and has no problems with my
career. He simply gives me space to fly.
What sacrifices did you make for your marriage to
work?
Mercy: I learnt how to speak his language, Ishan, in
less than a year. It wasn’t difficult for me because I
was crazy about him. I bought CDS and Ishan
literature and my husband also spoke the language to
me whether I understood or not. I also wanted to be
part of the discussions as well. It didn’t take me up to
five months and I already knew the basics before we
wedded. Also, I cut down on my nude dresses. He
made me understand that with age, you have to let go
of certain things because life is a phase.
Do you watch her movies?
Odi: No. That is because I don’t really have time to
watch Nollywood movies. I would rather watch the
news and a little bit of soccer whenever my busy
schedule permits me.
How do keep the spark burning in your union with
the birth of your children?
Odi: We crack a lot of jokes and play together because
she is my best friend. I confide in her always and she
is also supportive of me as well. We go to quiet places
together and also attend family engagements. With
the birth of our kids, I haven’t loved her any less; in
fact I call her my daughter.
Mercy: I buy funny cards, which I slip into his
pockets, and then he would jokingly remind me about
the fact that I have two children. I also dress skimpily
in bum shorts and parade in the room whenever he is
around.
What attribute do you admire the most in your
spouse?
Odi: My wife is an extension of myself and vice versa.
When I met her, she was not a strong Christian but
now I can say she is stronger than I am. She does all
the praying for the family and I am very proud of her.
Mercy: It is hard to choose because Odi is the human
definition of perfection, I can’t explain it. He completes
and makes me a better person in all ramifications. I
might have made a lot of errors if I hadn’t met him—I
see some of my old pictures and cannot believe I
dressed skimpily. You may think you are living the
career but you are making errors. Our daughter,
Purity, will grow up someday and see those things and
I will have a lot of explanations to make.
What do you not like about your wife?
Odi: Absolutely nothing. She does everything I like and
that has kept us strong.
Mercy: My husband is too truthful and that gets me
upset sometimes. He doesn’t pretend at all.
Why did you name your daughter Purity?
Odi: My wife has a heart of gold—she is kind and
pure. She is without blame or blemish. I decided to
name her after the qualities I see in her mum.
How do you handle disagreements?
Odi: We hardly disagree but since we wedded, I don’t
think we have had any reason to invite a third party.
We play a lot and handle issues maturely.
Mercy: He apologises in funny ways. Since I had the
baby, whenever he offends me, he will play a
particular CD and then teases me. He simply does
things that make me laugh.
Do you run a joint account?
Mercy: He is concerned about the welfare of the
family and has been like that from the outset of our
relationship. While we were dating, he would give me
money to make my hair and buy make-up irrespective
of the fact that I also earn my own money. He does
things that every husband should do for his wife. It
was his idea. I am the sole signatory but my money is
not in the account.
Odi: I love her dearly and I just want her to be
independent and have access to funds whenever she
desires without my permission.
You wedded at the peak of your career. Was it a
difficult decision to make?
Mercy: A lot of people asked me this question when I
was getting married but at that point in my life, there
was nothing too big to let go, even now. I am willing to
let go of everything to be with him and be happy. I am
not in competition with anybody. I want to be married,
I want to be with a man, just the way God has asked it
be. I don’t want to take his role as a helper. He is an
introvert and can stay at home all day when he isn’t
working but I am the extrovert and we complement
each other perfectly.
Odi: My wife has maintained a good reputation in the
industry by the grace of God and I played a little role
as her husband.
What is the most memorable moment in your
marriage?
Odi: We celebrated our last wedding anniversary and
her birthday at the Virginia Beach in the USA. It was a
very good time together.
Prior to your wedding, an ugly incident threatened
the existence of your union…
Odi: It was quite unfortunate. We thank God that we
are happy and everything is well. Some people always
say that our marriage will not last. Truth is, our love is
built on the solid rock of Christ and based on that, we
will keep waxing stronger.
What are some of the lessons learnt from the
incident?
Odi: I learnt a lot and only people who are close to me
know my story. The propaganda was from people who
do not know my family or me. What God has joined
together, no man can put asunder.
Did it test the strength of your love for your
husband?
Mercy: Yes, it did and I did not lose any friends
because I never really had any. I got to understand the
mindset of people who believe it is hard for you to be
happy for someone when you don’t have what they
have. They criticise what you have, yet they pray
everyday for it. It taught me to always think of myself
first because people will always have opinions.
What has marriage taught you?
Mercy: Patience and it has changed everything about
me— this is a brand new me. It is possible that my
husband attends a party and my movie is being
shown. I have to do things that represent him well at
all times. Ever since I had my daughter, I learned to
appreciate other children and humanity the more. My
husband and children are top on my priority list at the
moment and acting is secondary. I would let go of
everything for them.
Do you have similar friends?
Mercy: I don’t have friends at all and Odi is my best
friend. As a policy, I never lie to my husband that is
why I can’t hide anything from him. We have
acquaintances but no close friends.
Can you cheat on your spouse?
Mercy: Never! Moreso, I have absolute trust in him.
Odi: God forbid that I do such.
What does Valentine and love mean to you as a
couple?
Odi: Love means Mercy. We plan to have a quiet
outing and take my family out to dinner. If I have any
reason to love, then I must love her over and again in
my lifetime.
Mercy: God is love but if I have to give love a second
definition, I would say, love is Odi.

God bless ur home dear Mercy...Reading this just made me love you the more...I like the part about him teaching her to pray and other spiritual values..
Dear other Celebrities, Build ur relationships and marriage on the right ideals , Build it on the Solid rock of christ and watch it bloom daily.
Now marriage don dey hungry me

Beautiful. Goes to show how a good man change a woman. She is truly glowing and happy these days.


"I am Mercy Johnson" part is funny thou. You are Mercy Johnson not Angelina Jolie

I love this.

God bless your home!!!

I cnt wait to write my own story o!

I wnt piple to read my story d way m reading Mercy's story

Awwww
I like the part where she talked about her daughter growing up and seeing her skimpily dressed pictures and how she would have to make explanations. Celebrities should learn to think like Mercy, I wish Kim K would read this.

I love her more,she's down to earth,who wouldnt love to be with her.

Mk una no allow Tonto see ds interview oh lol

blesoh:
Mk una no allow Tonto see ds interview oh lol

...shut up!

Love in tokyo..God bless your marriage!!

Pinkiedearie:
...shut up!

u are a fool a big one @ dat.

kowema:
God bless ur home dear Mercy...Reading this just made me love you the more...I like the part about him teaching her to pray and other spiritual values..
Dear other Celebrities, Build ur relationships and marriage on the right ideals , Build it on the Solid rock of christ and watch it bloom daily.
Now marriage don dey hungry me

.


I dey tell u.[left][/left]