Clarence Peters Opens Up About Childhood Trauma from Parents’ Fame

Renowned music video director Clarence Peters has spoken candidly about how growing up with famous parents caused him emotional distress, influencing his decision to stay out of the public eye. Despite his global recognition for directing some of the most iconic music videos in Nigeria, Peters has deliberately kept a low profile throughout his career.

In a recent interview, Peters, the son of Afro-Juju legend Shina Peters and Nollywood star Clarion Chukwurah, revealed that his parents’ celebrity status affected his upbringing in ways many wouldn’t expect. He admitted that he struggled with being in the limelight and even avoided putting his name on his projects at the beginning of his career.

“I grew up with famous parents, and some of my trauma stemmed from them being in the limelight—I didn’t like that,” he shared. “But then I realized I had a level of imposter syndrome. I didn’t even want to put my name on music videos, but a friend I used to edit with tricked me. He insisted on adding my name, and there was nothing I could do about it.”

Peters also opened up about his early doubts regarding his own abilities. He admitted that while he wasn’t initially confident about his talent, his mother always believed in him.

“I didn’t think I had the personality for it. I wasn’t even sure about my talent. The only person who was certain—even before I started exhibiting it—was my mother. She firmly believed that ‘it’s in the genes,’” he said.

Over the years, Peters has built a solid reputation in the entertainment industry, earning respect for his creativity and innovative approach to music video production. Despite his reservations about fame, his work has remained influential, shaping the careers of many artists in Nigeria and beyond.

His revelations have sparked discussions about the pressures that come with being the child of celebrities, as well as the internal struggles that many successful individuals face behind the scenes.