By Our Correspondent
National News – Nollywood actress Bolaji Ogunmola has spoken on typecasting and colorism in the Nigerian film industry, revealing she was frequently restricted to “side chick” roles early in her career because of her dark skin tone and curvy body shape.
Speaking in a trending interview with social media personality Jay On-Air, she explained that casting preferences during the period often favoured lighter-skinned actresses, limiting her opportunities.
The actress said her journey in Nollywood has been challenging but consistent, as she continued to pursue roles despite industry bias and stereotyping.
The interview, which gained attention on Sunday, highlights ongoing conversations about representation, beauty standards, and fairness in entertainment casting decisions across Nigeria’s film sector.
She recounted that early in her career, industry gatekeeping and casting expectations often pushed her into limited character archetypes, particularly roles portraying secondary partners in relationships.
Ogunmola noted that these experiences reflected broader issues of colourism in Nollywood, where skin tone and body type can influence casting outcomes.
Her revelation adds to growing discourse on the need for more inclusive storytelling and diverse representation in Nigerian cinema, especially for dark-skinned actresses seeking leading roles.
She further stated that while she was often boxed into “side chick” or supporting roles due to perceived physical attributes, she remained determined to build a sustainable career in acting.
The actress emphasized resilience, noting that persistence helped her transition into more significant opportunities over time.
She also encouraged young creatives to focus on self-worth and not allow industry stereotypes to define their career paths.
Ogunmola also highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and financial planning in the unpredictable entertainment industry.
She credited filmmaker Biodun Stephen as an early mentor who influenced her professional growth and on-set learning.
According to her, creatives must prepare for life beyond fame by investing and diversifying income sources, as popularity in Nollywood can be temporary.
