Kanayo O. Kanayo, a seasoned actor in the Nigerian film industry, has voiced his concerns about the direction of Nollywood. He firmly believes that Nollywood should not serve as a platform for practices such as Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBL), involvement in sex work, or homosexuality.
Speaking in an interview with Afia TV, the respected actor emphasized that Nollywood is meant to be a nurturing ground for creativity and talent development.
Kanayo O. Kanayo went on to stress that the film industry is not a place for novices but rather a space for individuals to refine their artistic skills. He highlighted the importance of having a genuine passion for acting before pursuing a career in Nollywood.
He stated, "Nollywood should not be a ground for BBL; bum bum enlargement. Nollywood should not be a ground for people doing runs. Nollywood should not be a ground where people’s dollars are stolen in hotels. All these Nollywood girls, it is not a ground for gay or lesbianism.
"It is a ground for creativity. Nollywood is not a ground for learning how to act. Many people come to Nollywood to learn how to act. You are supposed to come to the industry to better and hone your talent. Many girls after hearing Genevieve [Nnaji] is a millionaire, Omatola [Akande] is a billionaire, would go and borrow wigs and come [to the movie industry] deceiving themselves.
"We all have different sectors. Everybody is welcome but the fact is, find out whether you have a calling for acting. That your neighbor says you know how to act, doesn’t mean you are an actor. You need some element of education to come to Nollywood.
"It doesn’t really matter if you studied medicine and you want to act. But for goodness sake, don’t come to it because you are struggling; your business stopped booming. Because most people, once their businesses crumble, they join acting. No na. For you to be a medical doctor, you need to have put in seven years. I put in six years to become a lawyer. So, why do you think you would just come and say you want to act?
"These days, you know what happens? If you’re a girl, whether you are fine or not. And you have a jeep [SUV], they [filmmakers] will ask you to become an actress because they want to use your car nonstop in that movie and another movie. They will give you one role to play.
"People are bragging about the industry because some want to sell sex, some want to sell their body, some want to do this and so on. And it’s not healthy for the industry. But everyone is welcome. But Instagram Stars are the ones who are giving the industry a bad name. And I don’t want anybody to join them because they’ve a little time and they’ll fade out."
