Being an actor may seem like a glamorous and exciting job, but the reality is that it comes with its own set of challenges. While fame can bring wealth, adoration, and opportunities, it also brings with it a constant spotlight, scrutiny, and pressure.
Acting is a profession where one will always be in a constant state of unemployment.
An actor can book a TV series, a film, a play, or a tour, and when that project ends, and it will end at some point, they’ll need to find work again. This is the reality of being an actor, but one can not only survive in this constant state by striving hard.
Despite their earnings, some actors struggle to maintain their lifestyle due to extravagant spending habits, investments gone wrong, or lack of financial planning. Additionally, some actors face legal issues, such as lawsuits or tax problems, that can impact their financial stability.
In the early days of acting, some actors did not earn anything at all or sometimes earned less amount of money which put them in a state of hardship but stayed relevant in acting because they were passion-driven.
Rita Dominic reminisced that when she started acting, the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood) wasn’t lucrative but she was driven by her passion.
“I just wanted to be an actor. And to be honest, there was no money in Nollywood back then. We were just doing it for passion. We have a passion for art which was what fuelled us. It was very challenging. But we just kept doing it until the industry got bigger and bigger. And obviously, the pay became much better,” Rita Dominic stated.
Despite these challenges, many actors found ways to cope with the pressures in the industry. Some choose to surround themselves with a strong support system of friends and family, who can offer them love and guidance during difficult times. Others turn to therapy, meditation, or other self-care practices to help them navigate the ups and downs of their careers.
Ultimately, being an actor is a challenging journey that requires resilience, strength, and a strong sense of self. While fame may bring with it many perks and privileges, it also comes with a heavy burden of expectations and pressures. It’s important for actors to prioritize their mental health and well-being, and to remember that they are human beings who deserve love, respect, and understanding just like everyone else.
Janet Ackom Recounts How She Suffered Without Pay
Veteran actress, Janet Ackom of the famous ‘Obra’ TV series and ‘Osofo Dadzie’ recounted how she struggled to survive without being paid.
She said, for her and many others at the time, money was not the main focus due to the passion they had for the craft, but life became unbearable as she had to cater for herself and her family.
The actress opened up while reminiscing about the early years of the Obra TV series.
Although they were the stars in the period, life was tough as they had to survive with little or no money.
Responding to how she embodied the whole celebrity status reminiscing that she was not paid but people thought she had money, she said; “That’s what they think. We loved the work, but they didn’t pay us. It made us suffer,” she recounted.
The painful experience made her never believe she would own a house since she depended on the little she made. Although she was not earning, Mrs Ackom made time for acting sometimes at the expense of her marriage, and her husband allowed her.
Revealing the reason she did not stop acting, she said “I had just finished Form 4, and it was around 1973. I didn’t go to secondary school, and I didn’t learn anything. So if I stopped acting, what am I going to do? And I loved acting.”
Since Mrs. Ackom started acting, she has relied on commercial transport popularly known as ‘trotro’ for all her movement to date.
“Obra” in Akan, meaning Life, was a Ghanaian television drama series that was very popular in Ghana in the 1980s towards the 2000s. The casts graced Ghanaians with an unlimited mixture of fun, drama, and education about life.
Janet Ackom began her acting career in 1975. She emerged from the ‘Osofo Dadzie’ series and joined the ‘Obra’ team later in the 90s. She became one of the spotlight characters of the series, as she was known for her hard-hitting roles.
Today, the series is still airing on GTV, as always, with some of the original cast and new characters. However, it has been halted for some time due to circumstances, that the actors refused to disclose.
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