Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing has revealed that one of the first film roles she was offered in the industry required her to “sleep with a dog”, a proposal she immediately rejected.
Speaking about her early days in Nollywood on a recent episode of The Honest Bunch podcast, the actress said she was given the script when she was still a newcomer trying to find her place in the industry.
According to her, accepting that role would have created a damaging impression that could accompany her throughout her career.
“Despite being a newcomer, they gave me a script to sleep with a dog. I rejected it because I can’t start my career like that,” she said.
Nkechi Blessing explained that she was worried about the long-term consequences of taking on a role as controversial as her first film appearance.
“Imagine my first movie, I sleep with a dog. It doesn’t make sense. It’s going to be a label because whatever you start with is what people would associate you with,” she said.
The actress said she decided to protect her image and future in Nollywood, noting that she did not want to be remembered or stereotyped for such an extreme act.
She added: “I didn’t want to be known as someone who sleeps with dogs in movies.
“So I rejected that script. But I immediately discarded it, so many girls accepted it. I’m not sure any of them are in the spotlight today.”
Blessing said that after leaving the production set, she met veteran Nollywood filmmaker Emeka Duru, who offered to work with her.
She added that Duru finally gave her the opportunity to make her acting debut in a film directed by Imem Isong.
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