Nollywood actress, Bolaji Ogunmola, has said her complexion and body shape affected the kind of roles she was offered in the early stage of her acting career.

Ogunmola said some people in the industry tried to place her in a box and limit her to certain characters because sh is dark-skinned and curvy.

Speaking in an interview with social media personality and content creator Joseph Onaolapo, popularly known as Jay On-Air, which started trending on Sunday, the actress said she was often considered for “side chick” roles.

“It was almost like they wanted to put me in a box. I am dark-skinned. There was a time when light-skinned people were reigning, and they told me I was very curvy and tried to limit me to ‘side chick’ roles,” she said.

The actress, who once took part in the Next Movie Star reality show but did not make it into the final house, said her journey in Nollywood had not been easy.

“My journey has been crazy, but I have just kept at it,” she said.

Ogunmola also spoke about her early decision to go into business, saying she never wanted a regular office job.

“I just wanted my life to have meaning at that time. I am not somebody who likes to sit at home; I wanted to do something. I never wanted to do 9–5. I will not do 9–5, it’s not just me. Shoutout to people who do it, I applaud you. But for me, I am business-savvy like that,” she added.

She said entertainers must learn to plan beyond popularity because fame can be unstable.

“Life is in phases. You are popular today, you may not be tomorrow. What are you doing to put food on the table? You should be investing, positioning yourself from now. I have always been that kind of person, so I always have something else I am doing,” she said.

The actress also advised young creatives to learn through service before seeking leadership positions.

“Before you lead, serve. A lot of the things I learnt were from other producers. Biodun Stephen was my first teacher when it comes to movie production. Every time I am on set, I am watching her,” she noted.

Ogunmola credited filmmaker Biodun Stephen for shaping her growth in movie production, saying she learned many of her early lessons by observing her on set.

Bolaji Ogunmola started her professional acting career in 2013, shortly after participating in the “Next Movie Star” reality television show.

Before this launch, she honed her skills by participating in church dramas and studying at the Royal Arts Academy in Surulere, Lagos. Her professional on-screen debut was in the comedy film Okon Goes to School. (The Guardian)

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