Nollywood actress Damilola Oni has opened up about a painful experience early in her career when a senior colleague deliberately tried to sabotage her by refusing to share the same movie set with her. In a recent interview on Oyinmomo TV, the actress recounted how she arrived on set full of excitement only to be sidelined and offered a minor role with just four or five scenes instead of the lead she had been promised.
Damilola explained that the senior colleague gave the producer an ultimatum, forcing a choice between the two of them.
“He said he could not be on the same set with me.”
Despite the humiliation and the long wait on set — sometimes up to eight hours — she chose not to walk away. Describing the mindset that helped her overcome the setback, she said:
“Because we will both succeed in our careers, and no one can frustrate me to stop this job. The sky is big enough for everyone to fly.”
The actress used the story to highlight broader challenges in the Nollywood industry, where she believes hype often overshadows genuine talent.
“From time immemorial, the person with hype mostly excels over the talented ones. You have to spice it up because that’s what it takes now.”
She added that many truly gifted actors who deserve recognition are often overlooked, while those who know how to promote themselves aggressively rise faster.
Damilola also spoke about the unwanted advances she frequently receives from men, including explicit messages and nude photos in her DMs.
“I am single. Because people make advances at me doesn’t mean they’re my spec.”
Damilola has built a solid reputation in the industry through consistent roles and professionalism, and her story serves as both a cautionary tale and an inspiration for upcoming talents facing similar obstacles.