NEWS DIGEST– Renowned Nollywood actor and director Charles Inojie has said that most female actors are wealthier than their male counterparts due to their connections with wealthy and influential men in society. Inojie, who spoke on The Honest Bunch Podcast, suggested that even actresses who took minor roles in movies made more money than actors who played lead roles.
The actor referred to some actresses as “daughters of Jezebel” and claimed that some couldn’t pass an audition. Inojie said he was initially puzzled by how some actresses acquired both property and wealth, such as multi-million dollar mansions and luxury cars.
Inojie pointed out that society’s influential people, such as politicians and high-ranking business executives, influence actresses’ wealth accumulation and referred to the extent of their affluence. He further revealed knowing some of his politician friends who “patronize” Nollywood actresses.
“Whenever some of my politicians friends call me, I know they [are] watching African Magic. They will be like, ‘Charles, I’m watching one movie right now. There’s this particular girl. Can I have…'” he said.
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Although Inojie expressed reservation at the way actresses acquired wealth through hooking up with rich men, he reminded male actors not to feel threatened by their female peers or become anxious about their ostentatious lifestyles. Some actresses amassed their wealth through multiple streams of income, Inojie said, thanks to audiences and politicians who patronized them and the movie industry. He encouraged young actors to learn from their female peers and adapt similar strategies to make their work more profitable.
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Nollywood is Africa’s second-largest industry, and the Nigerian movie industry has experienced continual growth in the past few years. Its estimated worth was about $4 billion in 2020. Nollywood films mostly feature Nigerian culture and narratives and music genres, and most of its movies are distributed throughout the African continent and other parts of the world through streaming platforms.
Inojie’s statement ignited a debate on social media, with some people in the entertainment industry arguing that wealth acquisition was not solely an actresses’ domain but rather hard work, perseverance, and connections. Other analyses commented that, even though the industry has improved an actress’s influence socially and economically, such views and uttered declarations are just an extension of patriarchy and gender discrimination against women in the industry.
The topic has been widely discussed and is a pointer to the challenges young actors face in the industry. Many local actors and actresses, particularly those who are just starting, have complained about poor remuneration, unpaid salaries, and systemic challenges such as paperwork.
The violence and abuse during filming have also been an issue, particularly for females. Yet, industry legends such as Charles Inojie offer potential solutions and action plans.
