Nana Churcher - I’m living my dream
She had always admired the competency of America’s celebrated talk show host, Oprah Winfrey when growing up so it was a dream come true for international talk show host and motivational speaker, Nana Churcher, when she hosted this year’s Grammy Awards press party and lounge in Los Angeles, California last February.
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The host of The Nana Churcher Show who was in the country to run some philanthropic projects said the opportunity has been a life-time experience which she had always looked forward to.
“It was a dream come true for me hearing publicist and producer, Ericalane Brown mention my name as host of such a high-profile event. I had the opportunity of interviewing Grammy Awards nominees as well as Hollywood celebrities,” were the words of Nana Churcher when Showbiz caught up with her on Monday to learn of what she has been up to in London where she currently resides with her family.
According to her, her pursuit to be the mouth piece of people inspired her to join the media fraternity after being a stay home mother for some time. Though her initial dream was to be an airhostess, her height denied her the opportunity, which would later be a blessing in disguise.
“I have been visualising the idea of being a presenter for years and the thought dropped when I was taking my bath one day. Besides, I had been working with clients as a sales agent with Mary Kay beauty products and my interactions with people gave me a better understanding of what others go through.
“After moving to the United Kingdom, I realised some of the challenges our people were facing and I thought of an appropriate way to become a change agent and that saw the birth of The Nana Churcher Show. It is an inspirational and motivational show which gives insight into the lives of extraordinary personalities around the world.
“ So when I needed to get busy after being home to take care of my children, being a presenter was a burning desire that kept ringing in my head and I’m happy I responded to the call,” an elated Nana narrated her story.
With notable contribution to the media industry, The Nana Churcher Show which would mark its fifth year in September this year, has amassed huge viewership in the UK and US and offered various brands the opportunity to interact with celebrities, bookers, producers, editors, bloggers and writers.
Asked about how she landed the role to host the Grammys night and whether she felt intimidated co-hosting with Tony Grant, Nana Churcher attributed it to God’s blessings and her experience she has gained over the years.
“I have been shooting in the United States for some time now, covering the BET Awards, Essence Festival, and having interviews with celebrities so all that helped build my confidence over the years,” she stated.
The likes of BET’s Chief Executive Officer, Debra Lee, former Ghanaian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Professor Kweku Danso-Boafo, Hollywood singer and actress, Brandy Norwood and teen sensation, Kwesi Boakye, the voice behind Cartoon Network The Amazing World of Gumball have all been on her show.
The Nana Churcher Show airs weekly in over 20 African countries on the Vox Africa channel which is available to millions of DStv subscribers on the continent. Currently, the show which is on break and would resume with a new season airing on ABN TV, available on the Sky TV bouquet across the United Kingdom, DSTV and Home Base TV in Ghana.
She has also devoted her show on Voice of Africa Radio (94 FM) to focus on promoting development and business within the African community across the United Kingdom. She presents business owners with the platform to network and share ideas on ways of overcoming their challenges.
Nana's unique style of interviewing her guests has won her numerous admirers and more followers of the show. Aware of her place in the society, the mother of four has committed herself to impacting on lives and careers of young Africans with her platform.
Nana who is also a beauty therapist disclosed to Showbiz that despite her being black, she has enjoyed great reception globally. Surprisingly, she revealed that she has rather suffered rejection among blacks.
“The truth of the matter is that, you just need to carry yourself well irrespective of your background you get a good reception from people. So far, I haven’t encountered any racial discrimination. Rather, it’s my black people who won’t offer help when you need one because everyone wants to be on top and don’t want you to be like them,” she stated.
Apart from her TV presenting, Nana is also a Director of BodyByVi, a weight-loss and fitness challenge platform dedicated to fighting obesity. And as part of The Nana Churcher Show’s fifth anniversary celebration in September this year, the old student of Methodist Secondary School in Tema has plans of engaging in projects that will beneficial to the Ghanaian community.
Already, she made donations to the Nsawam Prisons Service on Tuesday as part of her contribution of making lives better for the inmates.
A native of Ashanti and Akuapem, Nana says her philosophy in life is to remain relevant within her community and use her God-given talents to make a change in the lives of several millions of people across the world.