Nollywood actor, Deyemi Okanlawon has opened up on how not having a huge following on Instagram stunted his career as an actor.
Okanlawon said that producers had rejected him so many times because his social media presence wasn’t impressive.
“Not having Instagram followers hindered me. I’d tell myself, ‘I’m the guy who comes to kill himself on set. Why am I being judged by the number of followers I have?
“I said to myself, There’s no point fighting it.’ There will always be a new set of people who focus more on the brand than on the craft. So I said, ‘Let me start some brand-building.”
Deyemi Okanlawon
However, Okanlawon revealed that things changed for him after Funke Akindele and Kunle Afolayan invited him to work on their projects.
“Just when I thought everything was over, I got a call from Funke Akindele, next was Kunle Afoloyan, then Mo Abudu [and] Niyi Akimoloyan. At the end of 2020, Omo Ghetto the Saga hit the cinemas and became the highest-grossing movie and I was the lead actor. I also became the highest-grossing actor at the time too.”
Deyemi Okanlawon
His breakthrough role in the hit movie “Omo Ghetto: The Saga” cemented his status as a leading actor in Nollywood.
When he was asked who his favorite actors in Nollywood were, Okanlawon shared his admiration for fellow actors Richard Mofe Damijo, Olu Jacobs, and himself, citing them as inspirations.
He also mentioned Bimbo Manuel and Femi Branch as actors he respects in the industry.
Okanlawon added that acting wasn’t the dream for him, but rather greatness was.
“Acting was never the dream. Greatness was the dream. Anytime anybody comes to me to tell me they want to act, the first thing I ask is, What else do you know? If you are a martial artist, for instance, and you come into the acting industry, you’re different.
“Learn to not box yourself into one thing. Bring something else. Learn something. Don’t be a small dreamer. Go for it all. Never let your current situation limit the size of your dreams.”
Deyemi Okanlawon
Actor Recalls Petty Moment With a Fan
Deyemi Okanlawon revealed how he handled a lady who claimed not to watch Nigerian movies.
He said that after the lady had told him that she doesn’t watch Nollywood movies, she proceeded to ask to take a photograph, to which he declined.
Deyemi Okalawon stated that he declined the request to take a picture with her by saying that he doesn’t take Nigerian photos.
Going forward, he said he can be very petty, and that he simply matched her energy. He added that he won’t stand by and watch anyone disrespect his source of livelihood as an actor.
Deyemi Okanlawon got a lot of support from netizens, who found the lady’s statement outrageous.
“Oh yes I give the same energy when I meet those ones at meet and greets, in cinemas most especially. told one ‘I don’t talk to Nigerians’ at ICM.”
iamyvonnejegede
“That statement is not even a flex they think it is. It’s giving a slave mentality. Sorry, you don’t watch Nollywood movies, as per King Charles. Ptshewwww.”
ft_oh 22h
“The way I prefer Nollywood movies to Hollywood is crazy. If there’s no new Nollywood movie on Netflix, it feels like there’s no good shows on & I’d mostly just switch to YouTube.”
nittynita
“I watch cinematic Nigerian films… I don’t watch that thin on African magic epic.”
etyarts
“I must sha take a picture with you when I meet you o!”
chinyereugwulali
“Even if you no like Nigerian movies, you no go like All is fair in love ke.”
kingeminent
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