Nollywood actress Regina Chukwu has alleged that the English-language segment of Nigeria’s film industry was heavily influenced by demands for sexual favours in exchange for acting roles.
She made the claim while recounting her early experiences in the industry, explaining that it was one of the reasons she eventually decided to focus her career on the Yoruba arm of Nollywood.
Narrating her several audition attempts, Regina stated that the English sector of the Nigeria movie industry is not “as accommodating as the Yoruba movie industry.”
Speaking during her latest interview on Oyinmomo TV on Friday, the actress who claimed that the Yoruba movie industry is very accommodating, noted that “For the English industry, it was strictly sex for role.”
While explaining how her inability to act in both industries has limited her popularity, she said “there’s a place we normally go for auditions at Surulere, Winnings Hotel. That was where those actors used to be, including Genevieve and co. We were all sitting at Winnings Hotel and I tried auditioning several times but they are not as accommodating as Yorubas.
“Despite the fact that I’m Igbo by tribe. You will have to start sleeping with them before getting to the top, starting from their generator guys. Lots of fake scripts to leisure you into sexual intimacy. They are not accommodating. It is easier for me to relate with the Yorubas, maybe it’s because I was born and grew among the Yorubas all my life. For the English industry, it was strictly sex for role. They won’t hide it from you. I’m well known in Lagos and other South West States, but they don’t know me in my state as an actor. Enugu is a place that if I enter today, nobody will say hi I know you”, she explained.