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Hollywood stereotype hinders Nigerians from acting opportunities

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Hollywood stereotype hinders Nigerians

Stella Damasus reveals how the Hollywood stereotype hinders Nigerians from landing roles, citing accent bias and colourism in casting practices

Hollywood stereotype hinders Nigerians from breaking into international film in spite of growing global recognition of Nollywood talent.

Also read: Omoni Oboli says Nollywood has more original stories than Hollywood

Veteran actress Stella Damasus has opened up on how industry expectations rooted in outdated assumptions continue to bar Nigerian actors from landing Hollywood roles.

In a revealing conversation with Arrow House, the actress shared how American filmmakers still cling to a narrow definition of what constitutes an “authentic” African.

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According to her, casting agents often expect African characters to have East African accents and extremely dark skin tones, citing Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o as their reference point.

Damasus explained that these rigid templates exclude many West African performers. She said, “Hollywood filmmakers insist that there is a particular accent that Africans who want to act in their industry must have. So, that’s why they forced our people to put it on.”

Frustrated by these stereotypes, she questioned why one accent should represent an entire continent. “I’m Nigerian, they are Ghanaians. We are different people and we all sound different. We don’t sound like this. That’s what Hollywood wants. That’s what they are used to,” she noted.

She further observed that most Nigerians who have secured significant roles in Hollywood were raised in the United Kingdom or the United States and therefore fit the accent profile that Hollywood finds acceptable.

According to her, accent and skin tone are often decisive factors for casting directors who struggle to place Nigerians within their limited image of Africa.

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Sharing a disheartening encounter, Damasus recalled being told she was neither dark enough nor light enough to be cast, and her accent didn’t fit any of the expected categories.

“They said to me, ‘We want an African to be very dark. You are not dark enough and you are not white enough to be half-caste, so it would be hard to place you.’”

She challenged this ignorance by pointing out the vast diversity across the continent. “How do you think Africans sound? Because Africa is full of a million and one countries. And inside those countries, we have different dialects and different accents.”

Also read: Funke Akindele named Hollywood Reporter’s Most Influential Woman in International Film

Damasus’s remarks have reignited conversations about racial bias, colourism and cultural ignorance in international film. As Nollywood continues to rise in global appeal, her comments serve as a call for more nuanced representation and inclusivity in the casting of African roles.

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Entertainment

My Wife Knew About Actresses I Dated, Says Yinka Quadri

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Veteran Nollywood actor Yinka Quadri has revealed that his wife was aware of his romantic relationships with some actresses in the industry and treated them cordially.

The actor made the disclosure in an interview on the Africanalist Podcast, where he spoke about his personal life and marriage.

Quadri said some of the actresses he dated eventually became friends with his wife, Sadiat Adenike Quadri. According to him, the women would sometimes approach her and share gossip about his relationships with other female colleagues, even though they themselves were involved with him.

“It got to a stage, I won’t mention the ladies’ names in the industry. They would become friends with my wife and start giving gossip to my wife that I am dating so so so in the industry,” he said.

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He added that jealousy sometimes arose among the women. Some of those he was dating reportedly went to his home out of jealousy, only to find that his wife already knew about the relationships.

“And there were some of them that we were dating who went home out of jealousy. Meanwhile, my wife would say she was aware already and she doesn’t fight them because of that,” Quadri said.

The actor further disclosed that some actresses occasionally spent the night at his house when movie productions ended late. He said his wife knew about the relationships and still provided food and care for them.

“Sometimes when production ends late, they would sleep in my house. And my wife is aware I am dating them, she would still feed them and everything,” he stated.

Quadri has been married to Sadiat since 1989. The couple have children and grandchildren.

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Prioritise Talent Over Social Media, Fisayo Abebi Tells Young Actors

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Actress and filmmaker Fisayomi Amodemaja, popularly known as Fisayo Abebi, has urged young actors to build strong personal brands and rely on their talent rather than fame or social media visibility for a sustainable career in Nollywood.

Speaking in an interview with Sunday Scoop, Abebi, who began acting as a child before moving into filmmaking and production, said having a distinct identity was essential for anyone seeking longevity in the industry.

“As an actor, you should have a brand. You should have something that makes you different. Your talent should be able to speak for you wherever your name cannot speak for you,” she said.

She also stressed the need for dedication and readiness to handle the demands of the profession.

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“Any young actor coming into the industry has to know that it is time-consuming, and you have to be fully ready to be diligent and ready for the stress,” Abebi added.

The actress reflected on her own experiences, noting that growing up in the spotlight came with pressure, particularly from being recognised for a character she played as a child.

She credited her family and friends with helping her navigate the attention and remain grounded. Her mother, she said, played a key role by helping her understand that she was separate from the character audiences associated her with.

Abebi also spoke about the challenges of combining her acting career with university education, describing it as stressful at times.

“Sometimes I might have to refund or sometimes I might have to go to the set after finishing my exam. So, that can be very stressful,” she said.

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She noted that her journey in the industry had taught her to take risks and build confidence in herself.

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Regina Daniels Spent Months In Wheelchair Due To Health Issues

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Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has revealed that she spent several months struggling with severe pain and mobility challenges that left her dependent on a wheelchair.

The actress shared the details in a video posted on her Instagram page on Saturday as she marked her 25th birthday, which she described as her “Silver Jubilee.”

Appearing in a wheelchair, Daniels explained that her prolonged absence from social media was due to the health difficulties.

“I know many of you may be surprised seeing me in a wheelchair. Well, welcome to another chapter of my life,” she said.

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She stated that the problem began as a minor issue but gradually became more serious, eventually limiting her freedom to move around as she pleased.

“For several months now, I lost my freedom to move around as I please. It started as something minor, very minor, but eventually led to this,” Daniels said.

According to her, the condition took a major turn after the last public gathering she hosted, a Children’s Day carnival. She said she underwent repeated medical tests during the period and joked that she had started calling herself a “lab rat.”

“The pain became excruciating. Sometimes I find myself walking well, and sometimes I just can’t move. I cried,” she added.

Despite the challenges, the actress said there had been significant developments in her recovery, which encouraged her to share the update publicly.

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“Well, me sitting here today, in front of this camera, sharing this with y’all, it’s because there’s been some really significant developments in my recovery. And I say, thank you, Lord,” she said.

Daniels did not disclose a specific diagnosis or the nature of the treatment she is receiving. She expressed gratitude to God and prayed for calm as she entered a new phase of her life.

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