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Hollywood made me realise i was a commodity – Genevieve Nnaji
At the 2024 AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum/Afreximbank Annual Meeting, Nigerian actress Genevieve Nnaji shared insights from her Hollywood experience following the success of her 2018 film “LionHeart,” acquired by Netflix.
Despite seeking Hollywood partnerships, Nnaji expressed disappointment at feeling viewed solely as a commodity, with Hollywood prioritizing its own narrative agendas over authentic African storytelling. “They wanted what I had but for their benefit. It was all about their story…even if it was our story, I could make it more authentic to their own understanding of whatever Africa is.” She shared.
Nnaji also revealed her deliberate choice to stay in Nigeria, opting to support and elevate Nollywood rather than pursue opportunities in Hollywood.