Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has finally said what many actors have been quietly thinking, and she didn’t hold back.
Speaking during an interview on E-Splash on TVC yesterday, Omotola addressed the growing trend of actors being pressured to dance on social media to promote films. While she made it clear that she enjoys dancing, she drew a clear line between doing it for fun and being forced to do it for visibility.
According to Omotola, the issue is not dancing itself but the reason behind it. When dancing happens naturally, out of joy or self expression, she has no problem with it. However, once it becomes a compulsory marketing tool, she believes it takes away from professionalism and the dignity of the craft.
She explained that acting is her primary responsibility, and once a project is completed, her job is done. Promotion, in her view, should be handled through interviews and meaningful conversations, while marketing and distribution should be left to professionals whose job it is to manage those aspects.
Omotola also questioned an industry culture that now places constant pressure on creatives to perform online just to stay relevant. For her, forcing actors into extra stunts for attention is not progress but a sign that the system needs rethinking.
Her comments have since sparked conversations online, with many agreeing that while social media plays an important role today, it should not replace structure, professionalism, and clearly defined roles in Nollywood.
Ultimately, Omotola made it clear she is not against dancing. She is against pressure. And once again, she has reminded the industry that not everything needs to trend to be valuable.