Actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday recently opened up about her early struggles in Nollywood. She shared a personal experience from her newcomer days. It involved a particularly controversial script she was offered.
The script required her to perform a scene with a dog. Nkechi Blessing immediately rejected the role.
She feared such a role would negatively define her entire career. Especially as a fresh face in the industry, this was a major concern. “Imagine my very first movie,” she recounted, “I am sleeping with a dog. It doesn’t make sense.” She emphasized that early roles often “tag” an actor. “Whatever you start with is what people would associate you with,” she added. She firmly did not want to be known as “someone who sleeps with dogs in movies.”
Several other young actresses quickly accepted the controversial script. However, Nkechi Blessing walked away from the project. Soon after, opportunity knocked. She met veteran filmmaker Emeka Duru. He showed interest in working with her. This meeting led to her debut in “Through The Fire,” a movie produced by Imem Isong.
This pivotal early experience taught Nkechi Blessing a crucial lesson. It highlighted the importance of carefully choosing roles. It also underscored the need to consciously build her professional image. “I’m not sure any of them [the girls who grabbed the script] are in the limelight today,” she observed. This reflected on her decision.
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