I Was Stereotyped In My Early Acting Years — Bolaji Ogunmola

According to Ireporter Online, Nigerian actress and filmmaker Bolaji Ogunmola has opened up about the challenges she faced early in her acting career, revealing that she was repeatedly typecast based on her appearance.

Speaking during an interview with media personality JayOnAir, Ogunmola said she was often boxed into limited roles due to prevailing industry preferences at the time, particularly when lighter-skinned actors were more frequently favoured on screen. She explained that her dark skin and curvy body type led to her being restricted to certain character portrayals, especially supporting roles.

She recalled that the experience was frustrating but said it formed part of her growth in the industry. “It was almost like they wanted to put me in a box… there was a time when light-skinned people were reigning, and they told me I was very curvy and tried to limit me to ‘side chick’ roles,” she said, noting that the situation persisted for a period before she began to push beyond such limitations.

Ogunmola, who previously participated in the Next Movie Star reality show but did not make it to the final house, described her career journey as challenging yet consistent, adding that she remained committed to her craft despite setbacks.

She also revealed that she ventured into business early in her career, explaining that she never had interest in traditional 9–5 employment and preferred building multiple streams of income. According to her, financial independence and productivity were key motivations behind her decisions.

Reflecting on long-term sustainability in the entertainment industry, she stressed the importance of diversification and financial planning, warning that fame can be temporary and actors must prepare for life beyond the spotlight.

Ogunmola further acknowledged filmmaker Biodun Stephen as a major influence on her career development, stating that she learned a great deal about production by observing her on set. She added that humility, discipline, and a willingness to learn remain essential qualities for success in the film industry.