PASCALINE Edwards, one of the few well-celebrated actresses Ghana can boast of, has dropped a bombshell that is likely to cause ripples and engender a cocktail of interpretations in film industry circles and society at large.

The fashionable and dazzling movie star who briefly backed K. K. Kabobo before exploding onto the movie screen, says that in the mind of every successful actor or actress is an element of madness.

Not mincing words, she told SPECTATOR in an exclusive interview that there should be a little dose of insanity in the brain for an actress to correctly perform for the cameras. No normal person is up to that task.

"You must be crazy, I must be honest," she says. "If you are very straight, there is no way you can be a great actor or actress. For example, how can you cry or weep like real when there is no grief and the next moment you are laughing heartily?"

To the rumour that some actors rub ointments into the eyes in order to simulate weeping, she said those who do that are not real actors or actresses, because soon the tears dry up. To do it right, you have to weep or cry for real, she said.

Pascaline started it all with drama and acted as the wife of a slave-master in a Kozi Kozi production. At 19 years of age, she starred in Diabolo by Willie Akuffo and Schemers produced by Ghana Films Company. From there, her screen presence was acknowledged and Pascaline caught the eye of every major film producer.

She starred in Ripples (Stab In The Dark), Forbidden Fruit, The Mask, House Arrest and My Father’s Wife before going all out into Messages, Deadline for Asante, Without Her Consent, Jewels and several others.

Asked whether she thought she was successful in acting because she was beautiful, Pascaline had this to say: "Beauty has nothing to do with this. In any case, I don’t think I’m very beautiful. There are greater beauties than me, but they have not found their feet. I think it has to do with determination and ambition."

Spectator got a bit curious and wanted to know whether Pascaline has had problems with horny directors who wanted their share from the honey-pot.

"Fortunately, I have had very little problems with directors. I know a few girls who have had problems with directors who wanted something else apart from acting ability. Well, it all depends on how you carry yourself. The way I carry myself, no director can propose a thing like that to me. For me, acting is nothing but business. I act, get my money and bye-bye!"

Spec: You’ve been acting in Nigeria. Would you say Nigerians are on op?

Pasca: For sure! Over there, film acting and production is full-time occupation. It is not like in Ghana where actors and actresses are working or doing business and acting as well. In Nigeria, actresses work as full-time actresses, so everything is professionally done which accounts for the success of their film industry.

Spec: You look great and I know you are fashionable. Does your husband adore you?

Pasca: He does. But if I were him, I wouldn’t give his my wife that chance.

Spec: You mean he is not jealous?

Pasca: Everybody is jealous, but some people can be very jealous.

Spec: You do sweat on your nose.

Pasca: (laughing): Yes.

Spec: Then you are a very jealous person. Anyway, get me your husband.

Pascaline who says she is actually a shy person and wants to keep to herself and hates getting stared at hails from the Olympio Family of Togo (her grandmum is an Olympio). Her father is Christian Edwards and mother, Elein Friedli.

Given the chance, Pascaline would be pleased to have a candle-lit dinner with American actor Wesley Snipps. She also adores Angela Bassett who played Tina Turner and starred in Stella got Groove Back.

Pascaline, a reggae fan who loves Bob Marley, has a son, Samuel Edwards, who is also into acting.