Nollywood actress Bolaji Ogunmola has opened up about the challenges she faced at the start of her acting career, revealing that her dark complexion and curvy figure often led to her being typecast in limited roles in the Nigerian movie industry.
Speaking during an interview with Joseph Onaolapo, popularly known as Jay On-Air, the actress said many producers initially saw her as fit only for “side chick” characters, a stereotype she struggled to break.
According to Ogunmola, there was a period in the industry when fair-skinned actresses were more favoured, making it harder for her to access diverse roles. She said her body shape also contributed to the assumptions people made about the kind of characters she could portray.
Despite the challenges, the actress said she remained persistent and continued to work hard to build her place in Nollywood.
She described her journey in the entertainment industry as demanding but rewarding, noting that consistency helped her overcome the early setbacks she encountered.
Ogunmola also spoke about her decision to explore business alongside acting, saying she knew from an early stage that she was not interested in a conventional office job. She explained that entrepreneurship appealed to her because it gave her a sense of purpose and independence.
The actress advised fellow creatives not to rely solely on fame, stressing that popularity can be temporary. She urged entertainers to invest wisely and create alternative sources of income to secure their future.
She added that she has always believed in diversifying her career and ensuring she had something meaningful to fall back on outside acting.
Ogunmola also acknowledged the impact of filmmaker Biodun Stephen on her career, describing her as one of the mentors who taught her key lessons about movie production.
According to her, observing and learning from experienced producers on set played a major role in shaping her growth in the film industry.
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