Popular actress Regina Chukwu has shed light on the controversial inner workings of Nigeria’s film industry, explaining her decision to build her career in the Yoruba movie sector rather than its English-speaking counterpart. Despite being of Igbo descent, Chukwu revealed that the English-language Nollywood sector was highly unaccommodating and plagued by a rampant transactional sex culture.
Reflecting on her early days in the industry during a recent interview on Oyinmomo TV, the screen diva recalled her grueling experiences attending auditions in Surulere, Lagos. According to Chukwu, the hurdles she faced to secure roles in English-speaking productions were not only disheartening but highly exploitative.
The Audition Struggles at Surulere
Chukwu vividly described the environment at the Winnings Hotel in Surulere, a well-known hub where aspiring actors once gathered in search of their big break. However, for her, the path forward in that sector seemed entirely contingent on sexual favors rather than talent.
The actress alleged that the exploitation was systemic, stretching from top producers down to the technical crew. She stated that there was a culture of using fake scripts to lure unsuspecting actresses into sexual intimacy, making it incredibly difficult for newcomers to rise through the ranks cleanly.
Why the Yoruba Film Sector is Different
Faced with these predatory demands, Chukwu found solace and acceptance in the Yoruba movie industry, which she described as vastly more welcoming and supportive. Having been born and raised in the South West, she found it much easier to integrate and build a respectable career without compromising her values.
While the decision saved her career, Chukwu admitted that choosing the Yoruba sector has somewhat limited her national reach. Despite her massive popularity in Lagos and across the South West, she remains relatively unknown in her home state of Enugu and other eastern regions of Nigeria.
Chukwu’s candid revelations once again bring the long-standing debate over the safety and integrity of aspiring actors in the Nigerian entertainment industry to the forefront.
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