Veteran Nollywood actress Jumoke George has opened up about the hardships she endured in the Nigerian film industry, including a 14-year hiatus she attributes to her refusal to exchange sex for roles. In an interview on Oyinmomo TV, George detailed her struggle with industry standards that placed her at odds with certain directors and executives.
Jumoke George shared that her dark complexion was initially criticized, with some directors pressuring her to lighten her skin for roles. However, the actress remained firm in her commitment to her natural skin tone. “When directors complained that I was too dark, I would tell them to adjust the lighting. I will glow with this skin till old age. Black doesn’t crack,” she said.
Her stance took a toll on her career when, according to George, a group of directors banded together to deny her roles after she refused to succumb to their sexual advances. “I didn’t understand what was happening until one of our directors told me their group had decided not to cast me because I refused to sleep with them,” she recalled. “I just started crying, and when I got home, I prayed to God to take control.”
Despite these challenges, George stood by her principles, maintaining her self-respect and relying on her faith. Her candid account has sparked discussions around integrity and the difficult decisions faced by women in the entertainment industry, with many applauding her resilience and courage to speak out.
