LAGOS, Nigeria – Nollywood Yoruba actress Regina Chukwu has alleged that the English-language sector of Nigeria's film industry operated on a “sex-for-role” basis, saying her experiences during several auditions eventually influenced her decision to focus on the Yoruba movie industry.
The actress made the claim during a recent interview on Oyinmomo TV, where she discussed her early attempts to establish herself in the English-language arm of Nollywood.
According to Chukwu, the English-language industry was less accommodating than the Yoruba sector, which she described as more welcoming to aspiring actors.
“For the English industry, it was strictly sex for role. They won’t hide it from you,” she said.
The actress recalled attending auditions at Winnings Hotel in Surulere, Lagos, where she said several established actors were also present at the time.
Chukwu alleged that aspiring actresses were sometimes subjected to pressure for sexual relationships as a condition for career advancement, adding that she encountered what she described as misleading scripts and other approaches allegedly designed to initiate sexual relationships.
She said her ability to connect more easily with the Yoruba industry may have been influenced by the fact that she was born and raised among Yoruba people, despite being of Igbo heritage.
Chukwu also said that her decision to focus on the Yoruba sector may have limited her recognition in some parts of Nigeria, particularly in her home state of Enugu.
The actress' claims have generated discussions about alleged sexual exploitation and the challenges faced by aspiring actors in Nigeria's entertainment industry.
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