Veteran Nollywood actress Stella Damasus has explained how frustrating it is to get a movie role in Hollywood.
In a recent viral clip, the actress recalled how casting directors and producers overseas frequently required a particular “African” accent, which she says doesn’t reflect how real Africans speak.
“They’re like, ‘No, there’s a particular kind of accent that you must have.’ So that’s why they force our people to put it on. ‘Hey, my name is this… Have you ever come to this place?’ I’m like, we don’t talk like that.”
Stella Damasus emphasised that Africa is not a monolith and that countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and others all have their unique tones and dialects, not the overly stereotyped version often portrayed on Western screens.
She went on to highlight the colourism and identity struggles many African actors face when trying to break into the Hollywood scene.
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“They say to me, ‘We want an African to be very dark. That’s the kind of African we are used to. We’re not used to your kind of African.’”
“So you’re not dark enough. You’re not light enough to be half-caste. You’re not mixed race. Your accent — you don’t sound American, British, or African. I’m like, how do you think Africans sound?”
Veteran music executive and Mavin Records boss, Don Jazzy, says he regrets not signing talented singers who are now big names in the industry.
He regrets not signing Simi and Teni, both of whom he greatly admires.
He also disclosed that he once had the chance to sign superstar Davido but chose not to, believing Davido was destined for greatness regardless.
Reflecting on his near miss with rapper Falz, Don Jazzy said a deal almost materialized but ultimately didn’t go through.
As for Wizkid, he explained that the singer was already under the management of another executive at the time, making any potential signing impossible.
Don Jazzy concluded by acknowledging the reality of the industry: “You can’t sign everybody, no matter how talented they are.