- Jemima Osunde, expresses concerns about pressure on actors to be social media influencers.
- She highlights the growing importance of an actor’s online presence in the Nigerian film industry.
- Social media metrics like follower count, engagement, and content creation are now crucial for casting decisions.
Popular Nollywood actress Jemima Osunde has raised concerns over the increasing pressure on actors to become social media influencers in order to land acting roles.
In a candid Instagram video, Osunde discussed how the Nigerian film industry now places significant importance on an actor’s online presence. She pointed out that social media metrics—such as follower count, engagement, and content creation—have become key factors in casting decisions.
Her statements ignited discussions among fans and industry professionals about the fairness of these expectations. Osunde expressed frustration over how talented actors risk being overlooked if they don’t have a strong digital presence, regardless of their acting skills or suitability for a role.
She further explained that this trend forces actors to manage two demanding careers simultaneously—acting and content creation. Maintaining an active online presence requires skills and time that some actors may not possess or wish to develop.
Osunde also criticized how this shift blurs the lines between an actor’s craft and the responsibilities traditionally handled by a film’s marketing team. She emphasized that actors should be chosen for their talent, not their ability to attract social media engagement.
See the post here:
See some comments below:
@loveth_ogbene”I am an actor! My film ‘A Danfo Christmas’ is on Prime. I played lead role… I am dramatic of course but you see content !!! Ohhhh my godddd 😭 I just can’t seem to do it well… I’ve tried and tried. Welcome to Nigeria where Actors must be Content Creators too 😩”
@brofolu:”No vex dear, even entrepreneurs dey dance for tiktok😂😂”
@thesandypreneur:”My own is that are they paid separately to market/promote these movies?”
@fheyioflagos:”Infact they are forcing everybody. So who is going to be a banker, lawyer and doctor in 2050? Cos the rate it’s going ehn”
@olayimartha:”Na so one guy say nobody dey patronize am until him start to dance for tiktok!😒”
@olyywealth:”Even if you go for some audition they will ask for your ig page , e get reason”
@sprintexng:”that is what the algorithm understands now, not only you actors even normal business brands. go and check if you don’t dance or do crazy thing online you won’t see engagement. to me it look like they are using this algorithm to control us”
