Nollywood actor Deyemi Okanlawon recently shared his insights on the challenges faced by social media skit makers aspiring to break into the acting industry. Speaking on the Echoo Room podcast, he emphasized the difficulty of deviating from established norms and the importance of perseverance.
“If you’re ever trying to do anything different from the norm, if you’re known for something and you’re trying to do something different, it’s going to be difficult,” Deyemi noted, reflecting on his own experiences.
Drawing from his career, he recounted a time when he was typecast as the villain in movies despite his desire to play diverse roles. Rather than succumbing to frustration, he used each opportunity to showcase his versatility.
“There was a time in my career when I was the bad boy of Nollywood… I wanted to play the loverboy, the good guy or the pastor, but they were giving me the villain,” he explained. Instead of rejecting these roles, Deyemi accepted them and portrayed each character uniquely, ultimately proving his range to filmmakers.
“I took every villain that was ever asked to play and I made them so different and still so believable… I worked with what I had until people started to realise that I could do more,” he added.
Offering advice to others facing similar challenges, Deyemi encouraged persistence and hard work. “If anyone finds themselves in that situation, what I would suggest is to just keep that vision alive and keep working towards it,” he said, emphasizing that with dedication, opportunities will eventually align with their aspirations.
In conclusion, Deyemi Okanlawon’s journey underscores the importance of resilience and creativity in navigating career obstacles, serving as inspiration for aspiring actors and content creators alike.