Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has criticised what he described as an increasing focus on “selling faces” over acting ability in the Nigerian film industry, particularly on YouTube productions.
In a video posted to Instagram on Monday, the actor—whose real name is Anayo Modestus Onyekwere—said he would dedicate his YouTube platform to promoting lesser-known but talented performers rather than prioritising popular faces.
“Movie making is not about having a fine face, it’s about being a good actor, a good performer,” he said. “So, with or without a fine face, that’s what I’ve decided to do. If you don’t like it, that’s quite unfortunate.”
Kanayo, renowned for his iconic role in the 1992 classic Living in Bondage, recalled similar practices in Nollywood’s early years, when sponsors sidelined skilled actors deemed commercially unattractive. He warned that the same mindset is resurfacing on digital platforms.
“The acclaimed YouTube faces are beginning to bring up the same thing, killing talents in the industry,” he said, adding that overreliance on a handful of popular actors stifles creativity and discourages new talent.
He noted that some trending performers monopolise the streaming space, making it difficult to sustain diverse content. “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 encourage new actors to come into the business?” he asked.
Rejecting the idea of being cast simply for his popularity, Kanayo emphasised: “Don’t call me because I’m a selling face. Call me because I can deliver.”
The veteran reaffirmed his commitment to inclusivity and urged producers and audiences to embrace new talent. “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.”
Concluding his message, he expressed optimism despite his frustration: “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.”
