Nollywood actress Jemima Osunde has voiced her disapproval of a growing trend in the Nigerian movie industry where filmmakers are allegedly prioritizing actors with a strong social media presence over those solely focused on their craft.
In a recent discussion with fellow actor Jammal Ibrahim, Osunde expressed her frustration, stating that actors without a significant online following are often overlooked for movie roles.
According to Jemima Osunde, this new casting approach is putting undue pressure on actors to become content creators simply to gain consideration for film projects. “Now, it’s as though they [filmmakers] are forcing every actor to be a social media content creator before casting them. It’s as if you must dance on the internet to get roles. Why?” she questioned.
Osunde further elaborated on her concerns, stating, “It’s like if you’re not an actor with a strong social media presence, we’re not casting you because we need you to sell our film. That shouldn’t be the actor’s job.”
Adding to the conversation, Jammal Ibrahim highlighted the importance of good management in such a scenario. He explained, “That’s where good management comes in. I’ll give you an example: I told my management that I don’t know how to dance. I’m a terrible dancer. So, a good manager would look at you and say, ‘Okay, this is your personality. How can we work with who you are to make you better?’ Not, ‘How can we push you to be everyone else?’”
Ibrahim also shared his personal stance on promotional activities, saying, “If you’re doing a PR stunt for a film and you’re going to be dancing, seriously, I’m not going to be part of it, unless I feel like the dance is something I can actually do. I don’t want to look stupid on screen. It’s just not my personality.”
The sentiments shared by Jemima Osunde and Jammal Ibrahim shed light on a potential shift in the Nollywood casting landscape, raising questions about whether social media popularity is beginning to overshadow pure acting talent in the selection process.
