Nollywood now is about pretty faces, not talent – Kanayo O Kanayo

Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has expressed deep concern over what he describes as a troubling trend in the Nigerian film industry, particularly on YouTube

He argued that casting is increasingly based on physical appeal and popularity rather than genuine acting talent.

In a video shared on Instagram, Kanayo revealed that he has decided to take a different path. “I have decided to take my destiny in my own hands as it pertains to my platform on YouTube,” he said, stressing that filmmaking should prioritize performance over appearance.

He recalled a similar problem during Nollywood’s early years, when sponsors sidelined talented actors because they were not considered commercially viable, a move that ruined several careers. Kanayo warned that YouTube producers are now repeating this mistake by recycling a select group of actors.

“The acclaimed YouTube faces are beginning to bring up the same thing, killing talents in the industry,” he lamented, adding that such practices suppress creativity and block opportunities for emerging performers.

Highlighting the industry’s struggles, he questioned how content could be sustained when some of these popular actors are booked solid for nearly a year. “Some of these guys will tell you they are not free from September 2025 till August 2026. How then do we sustain the content you watch? How do we create magic? How do we encourage new actors to come into the business?” he asked.

Kanayo emphasized that he wants to be hired for his skills, not his marketability. “I don’t want any producer to call me for a job because I’m a selling face on any platform. Call me because I can deliver,” he insisted.

Despite his criticism, he struck a note of optimism, saying: “I don’t know why when things come to Nigeria, there’s always a somersault, and this somersault is happening now on YouTube. But I want to employ my life’s philosophy to say: this too shall pass.”