Genevieve Nnaji shared her experience of feeling like a commodity in Hollywood after the success of her 2018 film, LionHeart

Genevieve Nnaji shared her experience of feeling like a commodity in Hollywood after the success of her 2018 film, LionHeart.

The Nigerian actress realized that Hollywood saw her as someone they could use for their own benefit, not to authentically represent African stories.

Speaking at the 2024 AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum/Afreximbank Annual Meetings, Genevieve said, “I realized for the first time that I was seen as a commodity. I thought that after Lionheart, I would have opportunities to do more. But in Hollywood, they wanted to use what I had for their own stories, even if it was about Africa.”

Instead of pursuing Hollywood opportunities, Genevieve chose to stay in Nigeria and focus on building the local film industry.

She explained, “I am Nollywood. I could have gone to Hollywood long ago if I wanted to. But I chose to build an industry in Nigeria that could stand on its own. I’ve always believed in our capability to create an industry that tells our stories, for our people.”

Genevieve respects Hollywood and Bollywood but believes Nollywood has the potential to achieve similar success by staying true to African narratives.

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