Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has issued a stern rebuke to film producers, warning against the rising trend of prioritizing popularity and appearance over genuine acting skills. He lamented that YouTube-driven casting choices are gradually eroding the essence of performance in Nigeria’s movie industry.
The actor, whose real name is Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, rose to fame through his iconic role in the 1992 classic Living in Bondage. With more than three decades of experience, Kanayo has built a reputation as a fierce advocate for talent, professionalism, and storytelling in Nollywood.
In a video message posted on his Instagram page Monday, Kanayo announced a major shift in his own production strategy. He pledged to focus his YouTube platform, Kanayo O. Kanayo TV, on grooming new and unrecognized actors rather than chasing after already established names.
“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.”
Drawing on history, Kanayo recalled how sponsors in the early days of Nollywood sidelined many promising actors because they were not considered “marketable.” According to him, careers were destroyed by such biased judgments, a mistake he fears is being repeated with YouTube content creators today.
He expressed concern over the monopolization of roles by a handful of popular YouTube actors, warning that this practice limits creativity and discourages the emergence of fresh talent. “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?” he asked.
Despite his frustration, Kanayo insisted that he remains hopeful. Calling on filmmakers and audiences to embrace talent over hype, he stressed that his mission is to give new actors a stage. “If you’re a new face, come on, let’s do magic on Kanayo O. Kanayo TV. Let’s create stories with people who can deliver,” he urged, adding that the obsession with “faces” will eventually pass.
