Anambra-born actress and producer Pamela Okoye, who has helmed over 10 films, discusses her Nollywood career, navigating challenges, and her vision for empowering new talent, all while expressing her desire for Nollywood talent development

Pamela Okoye Nollywood journey has quickly established her as a sought-after talent within the Nigerian film industry. Hailing from Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra State, the Accounting graduate has impressively produced over 10 films within a relatively short period, showcasing her multifaceted skills.

Also read: Iyabo Ojo, Paulo rule out marriage, prioritise space

In a recent interview with Saturday Sun, Okoye opened up about her experiences as both an actress and a producer, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs she’s encountered.

Addressing a prevalent issue in the industry, Okoye firmly stated that she has never personally experienced sexual harassment. “No, I didn’t experience it.

I knew some people fall into situations like that, but I was never in a position where someone would tell me that I had to sleep with them for a role, never,” she affirmed, while expressing empathy for those who do.

When asked about the veterans she admires, Okoye was effusive in her praise. “I admire Aunt Kate Henshaw, Adesua Etomi Wellington, Rita Dominic, and Genevieve Nnaji.

Honestly, if I started to mention names, I would call everybody’s name,” she admitted, highlighting her respect for the diverse talents in the industry. “Everybody is different in their crafts, so I try to learn from my senior colleagues as much as I can.”

Looking to the future, Okoye’s career projection is ambitious. She aims for more local and international collaborations in both acting and producing. More significantly, she aspires to create a platform dedicated to Nollywood talent development.

“I am looking forward to having some sort of platform where I can empower people and give people the opportunity to showcase themselves because it takes one person to see you and believe in you,” she shared.

“When God expands me, I want to uplift people and bring up new talents. I want people to see new talents. There are a lot of people out there; I’m looking forward to all of that by the special grace of God.”

Regarding the attention she receives from male fans, Okoye acknowledges it as part of being in the public eye. “I get that a lot. Sometimes, people come up to me or send crazy messages to my DM or email,” she said, noting that while some messages can be “very sick” or “sexual,” she understands it’s a consequence of putting herself out there. She emphasises the importance of drawing boundaries and not allowing it to diminish her sense of being loved.

When comparing acting and producing, Okoye finds both challenging in different ways. Acting requires her to step into another persona, while production involves managing numerous variables, which can lead to frustration and unexpected hurdles.

“Production is a lot of work; you will get frustrated and angry, and things will happen on your set… It puts you under pressure sometimes and sometimes too, you will have a smooth production,” she explained.

On dealing with difficult actors, Okoye stated her preference for a positive set environment. “I think I’ve been very lucky not to have petty people on set with me, but the truth is that when I go on set, I like a very good energy on set because, as an actor, it helps to bring out the best in you,” she remarked.

Her philosophy is to approach each set with “brand new clean energy” and respect, fostering an atmosphere conducive to building chemistry quickly for the sake of a good film.

On the topic of marriage, Okoye has an open mind. While she initially thought she wouldn’t marry someone from the entertainment industry, she now believes “never say never.”

“There’s nothing wrong with marrying someone from my industry; they are humans, and there are loads of amazing people in my industry,” she concluded.

She views marriage as a beautiful, God-designed institution, and her only fear would be as a human being, not specifically as an actress. The key, she believes, is being with the “right person” characterised by respect, communication, understanding, and commitment.

When asked about roles she wouldn’t accept, Okoye drew a clear line: “Aside from going completely nude in a film, I can play any role, I can fit into any character, name it.”

She believes her uniqueness and authenticity are what truly set her apart in the competitive world of Nollywood. “Pamela Okoye stands me out because I am unique, I am me, and I am not trying to be anybody… My uniqueness alone stands me out anytime, any day.”