Popular actress, Ayo Adesanya, has said that many actors in the country only have fame and not fortune.
Speaking during an interview on the ‘Memoir of a Naija Girl’ podcast, the actress said, “Many people have the notion that because Nollywood is big, practitioners are well paid. But, how much do we earn? We have fame, but we don’t make money. However, it is left for the actor to use that fame to get money, through brand endorsements and other avenues.”
Adesanya also noted that being a celebrity could be lonely. She said, “It is very lonely being a celebrity, contrary to what people think. People think that as a celebrity, one has the whole world at one’s feet. It is actually very lonely. People assume that a celeb’s life is all rosy and lively. However, everything boils down to the individual and how they want to live their lives, so that it doesn’t become lonely and boring.”
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Reacting to her belief of some that rich actresses make money by sleeping with wealthy people, she said, “Where you there when money was exchanged for sex? Before you accuse people, you need to have evidence (to back up your claims). There are honest and hard-working people in Nollywood. Of course, there may be people in the industry who are in just for fame, and not because they like to act.”
Adesanya also maintained that the health of veteran actors is now better managed. She said, “Falling sick and dying does not only happen in Nollywood. It happens everywhere, even in developed countries where they have the best healthcare system. However, that of Nollywood seems pronounced because the people are popular. In the movie industry, when one gets to a certain age, people hardly remember to call one for work. At some point, when one is no longer as agile, people tend to forget one. Meanwhile, if one does not work, one cannot do anything for oneself. They will not even be able to pay medical bills if they fall sick.”