Nollywood actress says industry stereotypes have cost her business opportunities, property deals and relationships

Nollywood actress Ayobami Ojo has spoken candidly about the personal and professional challenges she says come with being identified as an actress, revealing that stereotypes surrounding the entertainment industry have allegedly cost her business opportunities, housing and even relationships.

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Ayobami Ojo Laments Being Labelled an Actress after an emotional video, which has since gone viral on social media, showed the actress expressing frustration over what she described as persistent prejudice against women working in Nollywood.

Holding back tears, Ayobami Ojo said she had reached a breaking point after repeatedly encountering discrimination because of her profession.

“I’ve cried today. Please stop calling me an actress,” she said emotionally.

The actress claimed that negative perceptions about actresses have prevented her from securing important opportunities despite her efforts to build a successful life outside the film industry.

According to Ayobami Ojo, she once lost the chance to purchase a plot of land in Lagos after the seller’s wife reportedly opposed the transaction because she was an actress.

She also alleged that she was denied a commercial property she intended to rent after the landlord discovered her profession.

Beyond business, Ayobami Ojo said the stigma has affected her personal life, claiming that family members and friends of a man she admired discouraged him from pursuing a relationship with her solely because she works in the entertainment industry.

“What exactly did we do to you people?” she asked, insisting she had never been involved in scandals that would justify such treatment.

The actress argued that many people unfairly judge actresses based on long-standing stereotypes instead of evaluating individuals by their character and conduct.

Explaining her lifestyle, Ayobami Ojo said she spends long hours working in the United Kingdom to earn a living and should not be criticised for enjoying the rewards of her hard work.

“I am just a girl who loves to enjoy life. I have suffered growing up and I want to spend my money and enjoy my money,” she said.

Her emotional remarks have sparked widespread reactions online, with many social media users expressing sympathy while others debated the broader perception of entertainers in Nigerian society.

The discussion also reflects a recurring issue within Nollywood, where several actors have previously spoken about the social stigma attached to the profession despite the industry’s significant contribution to Nigeria’s creative economy and growing global influence.

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While Ayobami Ojo’s claims remain personal accounts, her video has reignited conversations about public perception, discrimination and the challenges some entertainers say they continue to face beyond the spotlight.