Mercy Aigbe’s son, Juwon Gentry, turned the tables on his mother at the premiere of ‘Sweet 16’, taking on interviewing duties for Nollywire in a playful exchange that quickly blurred the line between mother and interview subject.
Gentry opened by asking Aigbe to introduce herself and reveal her role in Willis Ikedum’s coming-of-age musical drama. But he quickly broke character by calling her “mommy”, prompting Aigbe to remind him that they were supposed to be interviewer and interviewee.
“You’re not supposed to know me,” Aigbe joked after Gentry addressed her as his mother.
The exchange continued as Gentry attempted to maintain his professional tone, eventually addressing her simply as “Ms Mercy Aigbe” before asking about her experience making ‘Sweet 16’.
Aigbe, who plays Scholastica in the film, said she enjoyed working on the project and believes it will resonate particularly strongly with younger audiences.
“Everybody brought their A-game, and I think the Gen Zs are going to love it the most because it’s actually a story that they can easily relate with,” she said.
She added that the film also offers something for parents, with its family-oriented story allowing both generations to find points of connection.
But Gentry was not finished with the questions.
He asked Aigbe how it felt to be “Sweet Sixteen for life” before switching gears to tease her about not taking him along to the film’s set.
“How does it feel slying me? You didn’t carry me for this set, mommy,” he said.
Aigbe explained that Gentry had been in school during production, but the conversation soon shifted from the film to her son’s own milestone at the premiere.
She revealed that it was his first proper red-carpet appearance and praised his confidence in taking on the unexpected interviewing role.
“This is the first time I think Juwon is actually on a proper red carpet,” Aigbe said. “I absolutely love what you’re doing. I love the confidence.”
The playful exchange follows Nollywire’s earlier conversation with several young actors, who shared what they are looking forward to when they turn 16: from greater independence and hanging out with friends to pursuing careers and enjoying the “soft life”.
While that conversation explored how the younger stars view growing up, Gentry’s interview offered a different perspective on the film’s family dynamic, with Aigbe briefly having to navigate being both an actress at a premiere and the mother of the person holding the microphone.
‘Sweet 16’ is written and directed by Willis Ikedum and stars Alexx Ekubo, Yemi Alade, Mercy Aigbe, Samuel “Broda Shaggi” Perry, Denrele Edun, Emeka Nwagbaraocha, Daisy Eugene, Kalu Ikeagwu, Uche Jombo, Julius Agwu, Angel Unigwe, Eronini Osinachi, Adebolu Ola-Ezikpe, Daniel “Dan D’Hmuoros” Nnwoka, Theresa Eriobuna and Ikechukwu Onunakwu.
The film is produced by Wheels Pictures and distributed by FilmOne Entertainment. ‘Sweet 16’ opened in Nigerian cinemas on August 14, 2026.
