Genevieve Nnaji Explains Why She Turned Down Hollywood
Renowned Nollywood actress Genevieve Nnaji has shared her reasons for declining opportunities to join Hollywood. Speaking at the 2024 AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum/Afreximbank Annual Meetings held from June 12 to 14 in Nassau, The Bahamas, Nnaji shed light on her decision.
During the forum, which highlighted the benefits of the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, Nnaji was a panellist alongside other 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 CANEX programme supports trade and investment in Africa’s creative sector, including providing financial assistance.
Despite the success of her 2018 film Lionheart, acquired by Netflix, Nnaji felt she needed more support in Hollywood to achieve her ambitions. Reflecting on her experiences, she said, “For the first time, I realized 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.”
Nnaji pointed out that Hollywood’s interest in her was primarily 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 explained.
Nnaji also emphasized her commitment to Nollywood, revealing that she could have pursued a career in Hollywood years ago but chose to stay in Nigeria to contribute to the local industry’s growth. “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.
Reflecting on her decision, she added, “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.”
Genevieve Nnaji is known for her impactful works, including Lionheart (2018), Road to Yesterday (2015), Mirror Boy (2011), Blood Sisters (2003), and Sharon Stone (2002).
