Kanayo O. Kanayo, veteran Nollywood actor has called out what he describes as a dangerous trend in Nigeria’s movie industry — producers prioritizing fine faces and popularity over true acting talent.
In a video posted on his Instagram page, the respected actor criticized YouTube-driven casting choices, warning that the obsession with so-called “selling faces” is killing creativity and shutting doors for new talent.
“Movie making is not about having a fine face, it’s about being a good actor, a good performer. If you don’t like it, that’s unfortunate”, Kanayo stated.
The Nollywood legend, who rose to fame with Living in Bondage (1992), pledged to focus on fresh, unknown actors through his platform, Kanayo O. Kanayo TV on YouTube, instead of chasing popular names.
He recalled how, decades ago, sponsors sidelined capable actors for not being “marketable”, a move that destroyed many careers.
Now, he fears the same cycle is repeating itself on YouTube.
“Some of these guys say they’re not free from September 2025 to August 2026. How do we create new stars if roles are monopolized?” he asked.
Kanayo urged filmmakers to prioritize skill over hype and invited aspiring actors to work with him to “create magic”.