Genevieve Nnaji Says Acting Wasn’t Her Childhood Dream
Genevieve Nnaji spoke during an interview with Bollywood star Tara Sutaria at Cannes 2026, where she discussed women in film, storytelling, and the stereotypes that still linger in the industry.
She recalled her early start, saying, “My first experience on TV was at age 8. I think film chose me. I didn’t think I was going to be an actor; that was not a dream. I knew I wanted to be in the creative space, but fashion was my first love.”
Challenging Stereotypes About Women
Genevieve also pointed out how women are often misjudged when they pursue their goals on their own terms: “When a woman wants what she wants, how she wants it, that she’s difficult.”
Actors Aren’t All Extroverts
She dismissed the notion that every actor must be outgoing, adding, “Every actor is an extrovert. Some of us like to stay indoors and sleep.”
More Opportunities for Women Filmmakers
Highlighting the shifting landscape, she said, “We now get the opportunities to tell stories from a woman’s perspective, which has been drowned out for centuries. And we haven’t even started scratching that surface. So right now we have a lot more female filmmakers coming up.”
