There are moments when an elder in the game doesn’t whisper, he roars. Kanayo O. Kanayo, the man whose name is synonymous with Nollywood’s golden age, has just torn open the industry’s carefully powdered face, exposing what he calls an epidemic of “beauty without brains.”
On The Honest Bunch podcast, Kanayo didn’t sugarcoat it. He dropped lines that cut deeper than a movie villain’s dagger: “If acting is not in you, go and sell crayfish.” Savage? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely. Because what Kanayo sees happening in Nollywood today isn’t just embarrassing — it’s a full-blown identity crisis.
He stated that movie production is not about appearance but about acting ability.
The Good Old Days
The actor recalled how in the early days of Nollywood, some sponsors sidelined actors because they believed certain faces could not sell movies, which led to many careers being cut short.
He said the same practice is reappearing today on digital platforms, with a small group of popular actors dominating the space while new talents struggle to break through.
According to him, relying only on a few familiar names discourages creativity and prevents upcoming actors from getting noticed.
He added that he does not want to be cast in movies simply because of his reputation but because of his ability to deliver.
Kanayo promised to keep supporting young and unknown actors through his YouTube channel, inviting them to work with him in creating original stories.
He expressed his frustration over the current situation but also remained hopeful that the industry would eventually overcome this challenge.
Kanayo’s Explosive Statement
He said: “I have decided to take my destiny in my own hands as it pertains to my platform on YouTube. Movie making is not about having a fine face, it’s about being a good actor, a good performer. So, with or without a fine face, that’s what I’ve decided to do. If you don’t like it, well, that’s quite unfortunate.
“There was an incident many years ago when we were trying to bring up this Nollywood business, about 25 years ago. Some sponsors woke up and started branding actors: ‘this one is not a good one, this one does not sell films.’ They killed the careers of those guys. I can mention names, but for the sanctity of this broadcast, I won’t.
“Such a thing is beginning to rear its ugly head again. The acclaimed YouTube faces are beginning to bring up the same thing, killing talents in the industry.
“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? 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.
“If you’re a new face, come on, let’s do magic on Kanayo O. Kanayo TV on YouTube. Let’s create stories with people who can deliver, who can act.
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“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.”
The Rise of Nollywood’s Plastic Generation
Let’s be honest. Once upon a time, Nollywood was built on raw, rugged talent. The kind that could make you cry, laugh, and curse all in one movie. Genevieve, Ramsey, Omotola, Pete Edochie — legends who made acting look like blood sport.
But in 2025? Nollywood is crawling with Instagram influencers who think followers equal talent. Girls with BBLs and rented Benzes. Boys who can pose shirtless but can’t deliver one convincing line. Movie sets are starting to look less like art and more like reality TV auditions.
Kanayo is furious because the industry is trading substance for spectacle. Producers are booking bodies, not talent. Directors are casting curves, not characters. And audiences are left watching beauty pageants disguised as movies.
Kanayo’s Bombshell: Nollywood or Nothing-Wood?
Kanayo didn’t mince words. To him, Nollywood is not a dumping ground for slay queens or “runs girls” trying to rebrand as actresses. It’s not a runway for men chasing quick fame with six-packs and fake American accents.
He warns: Nollywood is being hijacked by people who confuse filters with craft. And if the industry doesn’t wake up soon, we’ll be exporting trash to Netflix while calling it cinema.
Beauty Will Get You In, Talent Keeps You In
Let’s face it: beauty sells. But what Kanayo is saying is deeper — beauty is a ticket, not the performance. Audiences will clap for your looks, but they’ll forget you if you can’t act. Nollywood isn’t meant to be a short-cut to fame; it’s supposed to be the stage where culture is immortalized.
Why This Hits So Hard
This isn’t just Kanayo ranting. It’s a wake-up call to an industry flirting with self-destruction. If Nollywood doesn’t prioritize skill, training, and storytelling, it risks becoming a parody of itself. And the saddest part? The true talents — the ones grinding in drama schools, rehearsing lines at midnight, auditioning for years without a shot — are being sidelined by people who bought their roles with beauty or connections.
Final Curtain
Kanayo O. Kanayo’s outburst isn’t gossip fodder, it’s a declaration of war against mediocrity. And whether Nollywood listens or not, the truth remains: talent is timeless, beauty is temporary.
One day, the filters will fade, the curves will sag, the Benz will be repossessed, but real acting? That never dies.
