It Was Never My Dream To Become An Actress – Genevieve Nnaji Opens Up

Nollywood actress Genevieve Nnaji has shared insights into her journey into the entertainment industry, revealing that acting was never part of her original dream, according to Ireporter Online.

Speaking during a conversation with Bollywood star Tara Sutaria at Cannes 2026, where discussions centered on women in film, storytelling, and industry stereotypes, Nnaji disclosed that her first appearance on television came at the age of eight, noting that her path into acting felt more like destiny than a planned career choice.

She said, “My first experience on TV was at age 8. I think film chose me. I didn’t think I was going to be an actor; that was not a dream. I knew I wanted to be in the creative space, but fashion was my first love.”

The award-winning actress also addressed common perceptions about women in the industry, stressing that women are often unfairly labeled when they assert themselves.

“When a woman wants what she wants, how she wants it, that she’s difficult,” she said.

Nnaji further challenged stereotypes about actors, noting that not all performers are extroverted personalities, adding that some prefer a quieter lifestyle away from the spotlight.

She also highlighted the growing presence of women in filmmaking, describing it as a positive shift that is reshaping storytelling perspectives and giving more space for female-driven narratives.

According to her, “We now get the opportunities to tell stories from a woman’s perspective, which has been drowned out for centuries. And we haven’t even started scratching that surface. So right now we have a lot more female filmmakers coming up.”