Jaiye Kuti Calls Out Lack of Support Among Nollywood Actors
Nollywood actress Jaiye Kuti has voiced her concern over a rising lack of solidarity within the Nigerian film industry, saying many actors and filmmakers refuse to stand by one another during difficult periods.
Appearing on the Oyinmomo podcast, Kuti explained that while numerous professionals face similar challenges, they often pretend everything is fine instead of speaking out.
She stressed that producing a film demands a huge financial outlay, placing intense pressure on producers to recover their investment from cinema distribution.
The actress also pointed out that the public tends to admire celebrities without understanding the realities behind their glamorous façades.
According to Kuti, the polished images shared on social media rarely reflect the behind‑the‑scenes struggles entertainers endure.
Recalling her own ordeal, she noted that several cinemas removed her movie from their schedules. Although she publicly protested the decision, she received no support from fellow actors, despite many of them having experienced comparable setbacks.
“Our relationship is gradually breaking down… Everybody is just acting like it’s okay. How is it okay? The people you’re emulating and looking at as an example, do you really want to know them? The people you call celebrities and follow on social media.”
“Not one actor stood by me or went to those cinemas or even supported me, despite the fact that we’re all going through the same thing.”
“But if I celebrate my birthday, the next day they’d wish me a happy birthday. So I stopped wishing people a happy birthday because I don’t want anyone to wish me on my birthday. Please don’t.”
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