Actress Jemima Osunde has voiced her frustration over the growing trend in Nollywood where actors are being pressured to build strong social media presences in order to land roles in films.
In a candid video shared on her social media, Osunde expressed her dissatisfaction with the industry’s shift, calling out the expectation that actors must become content creators in addition to being performers.
She believes acting should be about talent and skill, not about how many followers one has on social media. She pointed out that Hollywood stars, like Keanu Reeves, continue to thrive without being active online personalities, highlighting the fact that their craft speaks for itself.
“Now they are forcing actors to be social media content creators,” Osunde said. “It’s like, ‘You see that dance? You must dance on the internet.’ Why? It feels like they are telling you that if you’re not an actor with a social media presence, you won’t get cast because you need to sell the film. But that should not be my job!”
Osunde, known for her breakout role as Leila in the TV series Shuga, also pointed out the absurdity of these new demands. She reflected on how stars like Keanu Reeves, who rarely shares personal content online, continue to dominate the industry based solely on their acting abilities.
Beyond her acting career, Osunde is also a vocal advocate for natural beauty, recently addressing rumors about undergoing a BBL surgery and using the opportunity to promote self-acceptance and authenticity.
