Big Brother Africa star, Tayo Faniran has said he dumped opportunities to act in Nollywood because he was making more money abroad.
He said that when the reality TV show ended, he would have easily fit into the Nigerian movie scene if he wanted but he stuck with his modelling gig in South Africa which was more lucrative.
Tayo, however, said that because he was not a national of the country, he was not projected as much as they do for their citizen.
The actor said; “Nollywood was there for me after I won BBA. However, I was living in South Africa then and working as a model, so I was earning more money. The entertainment industry in South Africa was doing well, and Nollywood was not attractive to me at that time. Hence I didn’t pursue it then.
“Unfortunately, the same South Africa I wanted badly did not project me the way they would have projected their citizen. Nigeria is my home. At a point, I felt I was not getting the things I needed to build my acting career.”
Tayo, however, said he is now interested in having an acting career in Nigeria and he noted that he would deliver good performances.
The actor said all the roles he’s gotten so far were all on merit because he worked hard to impress.
He said; “When my fame was at its peak, I had offers to act but I did not desire it at that time. But, with the way I am ‘hungry’ for it now, people should expect good performances whenever they see me in movies. All the roles I have got in Nollywood were by merit. Also, I am ready to learn.”
The Big Brother alum also praised creatives in the movie industry, saying that Nollywood is beginning to have similar breakthrough with Afrobeats music.
Faniran said; “I appreciate Nollywood practitioners who have been investing efforts and time to grow the industry to its current level. Nollywood is beginning to have the same breakthrough that afrobeats music has. Without those people who gave their all to it, Nollywood wouldn’t have been attractive to someone like me.”
