Nollywood actress Genevieve Nnaji has revealed why she turned down opportunities to join Hollywood.

The 45-year-old Imo State-born actress made this known at the 2024 AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum/Afreximbank Annual Meetings, held from June 12 to 14 in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Nnaji was a panellist at the 2024 AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum/Afreximbank Annual Meetings alongside notable figures such as Osahon Akpata, head of CANEX Creations Incorporation; Ginger Moxey, minister for Grand Bahama, the Bahamas; and Renee Robinson, chief strategist TidalRise.

The forum highlighted the benefits of the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, which supports trade and investment in Africa’s creative sector, including financial assistance.

The actress said that despite the success of her 2018 film Lionheart, acquired by Netflix, she needed more support in Hollywood to do more at the time.

“For the first time, I realised I was a commodity. I thought, you know, given what I had done with Lionheart and all of that, I would have an opportunity to do more. I am getting there and having the kind of support that CANEX brings on board, but I thought I could find it in Hollywood. That was not quite the case,” she said. Nnaji explained that Hollywood’s interest was mainly self-serving.

“They wanted what I had but for their benefit. It was all about their story. It was all about how, even if it was our story, I could make it more authentic to their understanding of whatever Africa is because they did have a lot of literature in their archives.”

She also mentioned during the session that she could have gone to Hollywood years ago but chose to stay and contribute to the development of Nollywood.

“But I am Nollywood. I could have gone to Hollywood a long time if I wanted to. However, I dreamed of building an industry in Nigeria that could rival it. That’s because I’ve always believed in that. I have always believed that we could own an industry like that that told our story for our people. I wanted that. I respect what Hollywood is doing. I respect what Bollywood is doing, and I felt like Nollywood had an equal chance at it,” she said.

“So when I found it wasn’t quite what they had in mind, I was like, I’m just going to wait this out, and the Covid happened, and the worlds switched at that point, and Africa sort of became it.”

Nnaji is famous for her works, such as Lion Heart (2018), Road of Yesterday (2015), Mirror Boy (2011), Blood Sisters (2003), and Sharon Stone (2002).

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/705042-why-i-refused-to-join-hollywood-genevieve-nnaji.html

Rest madam, Nigerians are hungry. Na who don chop dey talk about Hollywood and Nollywood.

Hunger dey

I no dey carry my tribal banter outside poltics

So yea, You did really well but i just feel somehow that if you actually started out in this era, you'd have surpassed every single Nollywood person in history

U no too get PR but still on still, U be legend of the game

Well, she created her own brand.

The legend,

Agu Nwanyi,

Amazon,


...you are an inspiration to the ladies that truly wants to be independent

She's talking about being treated like a commodity by Hollywood
Was she not rumoured to be Atiku’s

Living legend..infact i dedicate "Start strong finish strong" by Kenneth&Tyler Cooper to her... great book

Hollywood is not an industry where the best talents are found. So, no actor should downplay their talent even if they are not yet in Hollywood.

Nonetheless, there are a few Nollywood actors that are Hollywood materials. They include Stephanie Okereke, Dakore Egbuson and maybe Rita Dominic.

Although, Genevieve is a talented actress, I didn't mention her because her English accent is too thick.

Kukutente23:
She's talking about being treated like a commodity by Hollywood
Was she not rumoured to be Atiku’s

Hahahahahaha. Maybe the junior one. The senior one was someone else, as rumored back then, the entrance was at the back.

DeepSight:


Hahahahahaha. Maybe the junior one. The senior one was someone else, as rumored back then, the entrance was at the back.

She has a junior sister?

Kukutente23:

She has a junior sister?

No I mean Atiku has a well known senior mistress, so maybe Genevieve was the junior one.

🤭

DeepSight:


No I mean Atiku has a well known senior mistress, so maybe Genevieve was the junior one.

Who is the senior mistress

Kukutente23:

Who is the senior mistress

It was said to be Nike Osinowo back then.

Hollywood is tough,you cant survive it because your dont have the stamina. what you ppl in this clime do in naija is childs play drama and cant be compared with Hollywood.movies.

I knew her when she acted that film called, last party.

ChizzyBuna:
Madam, talk true...
You reject them abi na them reject you?

Hehehe

Who dash monkey banana? 😂

Asa Nwayi Oma

Ada Owerri

Righthussle:
Rest madam, Nigerians are hungry. Na who don chop dey talk about Hollywood and Nollywood.

U dey mind am

DevilsEqual:
I no dey carry my tribal banter outside poltics

So yea, You did really well but i just feel somehow that if you actually started out in this era, you'd have surpassed every single Nollywood person in history

U no too get PR but still on still, U be legend of the game

For you to think about TRIBALISM in the first place shows you are Shameless.

H

Righthussle:
Rest madam, Nigerians are hungry. Na who don chop dey talk about Hollywood and Nollywood.

no be Una dey shout RONU up and down ...enjoy your brother leadership and leave that Igbo lady

Dem no rate you madam

Who even ask u

Her Eminence

Well if you had ventured into Hollywood
Na low budget Hollywood actor you for still be sha

SoNature:


Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/705042-why-i-refused-to-join-hollywood-genevieve-nnaji.html

Her story for whoever wants to believe her.

Mtcheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew