Not One Actor Stood By Me – Jaiye Kuti Laments Lack Of Support In Nollywood

Nollywood actress, Jaiye Kuti, has spoken about what she described as a growing lack of support among members of the Nigerian film industry, saying many actors and filmmakers are unwilling to stand by one another during difficult times.

During an appearance on the Oyinmomo podcast, Kuti said that many people in Nollywood face the same problems but choose to act as though everything is fine rather than speak up.

Naija News reports that the thespian said this attitude is affecting relationships within the industry and making it harder for practitioners to work together.

The actress said film production requires a huge financial investment, yet many people do not understand the pressure producers face to recoup the money spent on making and distributing movies in cinemas.

She also said the public often admires celebrities without knowing the realities behind their lives.

According to her, many of the images people see on social media do not reflect the struggles those entertainers deal with behind the scenes.

Kuti recalled her own experience after some cinemas removed her movie from their schedules.

She said she publicly complained about the development but did not receive support from fellow actors, even though many of them had faced similar situations in the past.

She said: “Our relationship is gradually breaking down… Everybody is just acting like it’s okay. How is it okay? The people you’re emulating and looking at as an example, do you really want to know them? The people you call celebrities and follow on social media.

“Not one actor stood by me or went those cinemas or even supported me, despite the fact that we’re all going through the same thing.

“But If I celebrate my birthday, the next day they’d wish me a happy birthday. So I stopped wishing people a happy birthday because I don’t want anyone to wish me on my birthday. Please don’t.”