What is the most important quality you look/looked out for in a love interest?
I think it’s hard for me to pick only one. I would start with genuine honesty -to me there is nothing more attractive than the truth and realness. But it has to be followed with ambition, a very high ambition for that matter and potential. Then at last there gotta be passion. I always knew I need me a very passionate heart. A Real flame. Can't do without it.
What's your ideal date? A chilled-out one (the beach, game arcade, movie) or do you like to be spoiled? (dress up, limo, gourmet dinner)
Honestly, I like me both. Talking of chilled out date I would pick beach without thinking. That's my happy place. Getting spoiled is never a bad idea too. Every woman loves to feel special and worthy and I think we all truly deserve it. Fancy destination, fine dining, hot outfit-bring it on!
We are happy to debut our new series "Sugar Celebrity Love" where we share love and relationship perspectives from some of our favourite personalities. Featured in our first ever edition is Sonia Ogbonna, an author, speaker and life coach who is married to the famous Nollywood actor, Ik Ogbonna.
What has been your best/worst date ever?
There are some people you just don’t click with and no matter the environment, disability to have a conversation flowing can make a date pretty much awkward, almost uncomfortable. Good dates must involve good food, drinks, a lot of laughter and plenty talk. I had many, it's so hard to pick one.
What would you say is the secret to a successful relationship/marriage?
Probably compassion, honesty, compromise and finally solid self love. I know that in our culture we hardly bring importance of self-love and that's probably one of the reasons why so many people live in loneliness, pain and confusion in their unions. If you don’t love yourself you can never love or be able to receive love from others.
What's the best “love” advice you've been given?
My mission is to help people understand Love in real meaning of that word because so many wicked things are being called "love". You start from loving yourself- that's the only way to protect yourself from settling for mistreatments and nonsense society justifies in the name of "love". Secondly, when you understand what Love is, relationships become easy. You stop keeping counts, you stop competing, you stop calculating and getting disappointed, you stop having a need to prove "right/wrong" - you simply understand that y'all play for the same team and not against each other. And that is exactly what will help you (both of you) develop sympathy, understanding and compassion and ability to forgive without holding grudges.
What for you is a complete deal breaker in a relationship?
Lack of trust, abuse (both physical and emotional), and allowing ANY third person have a say when it comes to YOUR relationship.
Tell us, who's your favourite couple?
I love ‘love’, so there are many, some of them are not even celebrities. I love to see relationships where men are supportive and not intimidated by [a] woman's success. It makes me so happy.
What should everyone try to do at least once before settling down?
Get to know yourself and learn how to love yourself before committing to someone else. Everything else you can still do even after you settle down, that’s if you settle down with the right person, if you know what I mean ;)
Photos: Instagram @sonialareinaa