There’s serious ethnic bias in Nollywood

R ose Amrayebure found her way into Nollywood, because acting is all she has ever wanted to do but the passion to pursue her dream was soon met with disenchantment and disappointment when she learned she would need more than talent to see her dream through.
According to her, not being an Igbo has been the biggest challenge of her career and she bares it all in this interview with Weekend Groove.Excerpts:
By Ayo Onikoyi and Juliet Ebirim
When did you start acting?
I started acting in 2005. My first job was in 2007. Then I left and came back in 2011.
Between then and now, how many movies have you done?
Between 2011 and now, I’ve done six movies and five soap operas.
Is there any soap opera you have done that is currently running?
They’ve shown the epilogue of ‘Married’ currently on TVC.
Have you taken a lead role before?
A sub-lead. The one in which I took a lead role is coming out in January. The one I played a sub-lead is already out and that was ‘Tears for Revival’. The one coming out in January is called ‘Atmospheric Madness’ and it is directed and produced by Mr. Femi Okpeoluwa.
Why did you choose acting?
I have a flair for acting. Growing up, when I come back from school, my aunty would say, “Come and dance for me and all that”. So, I’ll say right from childhood, showbiz has been in me.
Your journey into acting, how has the experience been?
It is by God’s grace and with God, I am still pushing up.
I know it’s not a piece of cake to make it to the top in the acting industry, have you ever encountered anything like sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is everywhere not just in showbiz or the movie world.
Rose Amrayebure
What has your own experience been as regards that?
My own experience has more to do with the language barrier, it’s not easy. They prefer giving their own people the jobs. Like the ones I have done so far are mostly from friends. I’ve gone for auditions but I have only gotten two movies from auditions.

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