Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday has revealed that she was once asked to sleep with a dog as her role on a movie set.

However, the actress said she rejected the role because she was new to the movie industry and did not want to start with such a role.

“Despite being a newcomer, I was given a script to sleep with a dog. I rejected it because I can’t start off my career like that. Imagine my first ever movie, I am sleeping with a dog. It doesn’t make sense. It is going to be a tag because whatever you start with is what people would associate you with. I didn’t want to be renowned as someone who sleeps with dogs in movies."

“So, I rejected that script. But immediately I threw it down, so many girls grabbed it. I’m not sure any of them are in the limelight today,” she stated  in a recent episode of The Honest Bunch podcast.

Ghanaian actress Beverly Afaglo shared how difficult it was for dark-skinned actors to get roles in the movie industry when she also started her career.

Speaking in an interview on Joy Learning TV, she revealed that many producers preferred casting light-skinned actors, believing they looked better on screen.

"Our time, what most of the producers were doing was, you have to be a half-cast. I think Jackie Appiah was the only person because she was a star already so they needed her.

"Producers thought light-skinned actors looked better on TV. As a result, most of them preferred casting light-skinned individuals,” she said.

Beverly also described how tough auditions were, as actors had very few chances to impress casting directors.

“There was talent. It wasn’t about beauty or what you were wearing or anything. Everybody was ready to act. People were acting. We were really daring.

"People can master lines in one minute because when you get that chance to audition for a role, it was your only chance and the queue behind you was so long that you don’t want to make a mistake. But the casting for producers made it difficult for us to get into the acting field,” she narrated.

According to her, things only changed when movie storylines required diverse actors, forcing producers to work with dark-skinned talents.

"It got to a time that they didn’t have a choice but to use us because, at that time, most of the stories that were out were about kingdoms, princesses, girls-girls, those stories. So girls-girls, you will need us. You can’t use just one person; you need everybody. So they knew that they had to work with us," she explained.

Nollywood actress Mojisola Adebanjo candidly admitted that her looks and allure have contributed to landing several acting roles.

During an interview with Potpourri, she revealed that her appearance, along with her facial expressions and fashion sense, has frequently swayed casting choices in her favor throughout her career.

“Yes, I believe my sex appeal and beauty have contributed to landing roles. I frequently receive compliments on my attractiveness, especially regarding my facial expressions, presentation, dress sense, authenticity, and voice.

“For instance, in 2021, I was cast for a role because of a photo that showcased a specific look, which resonated with the casting team,” she explained.

Adebanjo stressed that her versatility is her greatest strength as an actress.

“I consider versatility to be my greatest strength. Being able to adapt to a variety of roles and genres allows me to showcase my talent and connect with diverse audiences. You can see this in my movie Farida’s Secret and my role in the YouTube series Oga Osas, among other projects.

“Versatility is essential for bringing depth and authenticity to each character and making a lasting impact. Alongside versatility, a strong work ethic, resilience, and a commitment to refining my craft are vital for success in this industry,” she stated.

Fondly referred to as Jisola by her friends, Adebanjo also emphasised on the impact of streaming platforms on Nollywood’s reach.

“Netflix and other streaming platforms have significantly expanded the distribution of Nollywood films. They provide our industry with a global audience, allowing our content to be viewed by people beyond traditional Nigerian and African markets.

“This exposure not only enhances the international visibility of Nollywood films but also fosters cross-cultural exchange and collaboration,” she added.

A year ago, Ghanaian actress Nadia Buari shared insights about filming kissing scenes in numerous movie projects.

During an appearance on TV3’s "The Afternoon Show' with hosts Godwin Namboh and Anita Akua Akuffo, Buari clarified that these scenes are purely make-believe.

Buari, who recently posted a trailer of an upcoming movie featuring Majid Michel, explained that the goal for actors is to make the scenes convincing to viewers.

She emphasized that any perceived romance is merely part of the characters’ storylines, with no genuine emotions involved for the actors themselves.

She said: “They are not real. It is make-believe. However, we are trying to convince people, so we were really kissing, but it is just that it is real for the characters, not for the actors. There are no feelings involved.”

Nadia Buari explained that actors must keep their emotions separate from kissing scenes, especially since these scenes are often filmed multiple times with a large crew present on set.

Despite her extensive experience with such scenes, Buari shared that she doesn’t have a preferred on-screen kissing partner.

She also acknowledged that, for her, kissing scenes and character portrayal are among the most demanding parts of acting in films.