"I Almost Joined Nollywood Because I Wanted to Become a Celebrity – Not Knowing That a Blogger Is Also an Influential Celebrity"
Everyone wants to be known, seen, and celebrated. That’s human nature. For me, growing up in Nigeria, the idea of fame was closely tied to Nollywood — our homegrown film industry. I grew up watching stars like Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, and later the likes of Zubby Michael, Destiny Etiko, and Funke Akindele. I saw how fans adored them, how they graced magazine covers, received awards, and commanded attention everywhere they went.
Naturally, I wanted to be like them. I wanted that spotlight. I wanted the glitz and the glamour. I wanted to walk into a room and feel eyes turn. And so, in my youthful enthusiasm and innocent ambition, I made up my mind to join Nollywood.
But life had a twist waiting for me.
The Allure of the Spotlight
Nollywood is more than just a film industry — it's a cultural movement. It shapes fashion, language, and lifestyle across Africa. Seeing actors rise from nothing to something was inspiring. Many of them didn’t come from privileged backgrounds, yet they became household names. It was proof that it was possible.
The more I watched Nollywood movies, the more I admired the art of performance. I found myself mimicking lines, dressing like the stars, even daydreaming about walking on red carpets. I imagined the interviews, the autograph signings, the screaming fans. It wasn’t just about acting — it was about the celebrity life.
Back then, celebrity meant only one thing — to act, sing, or maybe dance. Blogging? What was that? It felt like a “side hustle” for people who couldn’t “make it big.”
But oh, how wrong I was.
The First Steps Toward Nollywood
I remember the day I first told my friends and family I wanted to act. Some encouraged me, others raised their eyebrows.
“Are you sure?”
“You know it’s not easy to enter Nollywood.”
“You better go and find a real career.”
Still, I started scouting for acting auditions. I went for a few casting calls. Most times, I didn’t get callbacks. The industry was saturated, and the competition was fierce. You needed connections, money, and often, compromise. I began to see the dark side of the dream — rejection, favoritism, exploitation, and pressure.
I started questioning myself. Was it really acting I wanted to do? Or was it just the fame I was chasing?
Then, I stumbled across something that changed my mindset — blogging.
Accidental Discovery: Blogging as a Voice
It all started when I began writing down my thoughts on Facebook. Short rants about societal issues, celebrity drama, motivational words, and sometimes humorous takes on everyday life. To my surprise, people responded.
Some would say:
“You should start a blog.”
“I always look forward to your posts.”
“You write like a pro!”
At first, I laughed it off. Blogging? Isn’t that what bored people do? But something in me said, try it.
So I started a simple blog. I named it something playful and personal. I didn’t have a strategy — just passion and voice. I wrote about entertainment, fashion, personal growth, relationships, and yes — sometimes I even gave my opinion on Nollywood movies.
Before I knew it, people were sharing my posts. I began getting DMs from readers who said I made their day. My traffic grew. Brands reached out for collaborations. Friends started introducing me as “the famous blogger.”
Wait a minute — was I becoming a celebrity without acting?
Blogging Gave Me What I Was Searching For
The more I blogged, the more I saw how powerful my platform had become. I was influencing opinions. People trusted my voice. I was being invited to events, featured in online magazines, and even interviewed by radio stations. One day, I walked into a restaurant and someone said, “Are you the one that owns that blog? I follow you o!”
That was the moment I realized — celebrity is not about appearing on TV screens only. It’s about influence. It’s about connection. And most importantly, it’s about authenticity.
Bloggers today are shaping conversations, setting trends, and impacting lives. In fact, some bloggers are more famous than actors. Think about it: you may not watch movies every day, but you read content daily — on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and blogs.
Bloggers are storytellers, educators, entertainers, and trendsetters. Some have millions of followers. They speak, people listen. They recommend products, people buy. They speak truth to power, and authorities tremble. Isn’t that power?
Nollywood vs Blogging: A Healthy Comparison
Let’s break it down a bit:
| Feature | Nollywood | Blogging |
|---|---|---|
| Path to entry | Competitive, gate-kept | Open to all |
| Creative control | Limited (scripts, directors) | 100% control |
| Earning potential | High but inconsistent | High and scalable |
| Public visibility | High on screen | High online |
| Authenticity | Can be scripted | Mostly real & raw |
| Growth rate | Slow and connection-based | Fast with the right strategy |
| Freedom | Limited by producers | Total creative freedom |
I’m not saying one is better than the other — it depends on your passion. But if your true goal is influence, connection, and building a personal brand, then blogging is equally powerful, if not more accessible.
Lessons I Learned on the Journey
Fame Isn’t Always What It Seems
I wanted the lights, but I didn’t understand the cost. True fulfillment comes when you use your gift, not when you chase attention.You Don’t Need to Be on TV to Be Influential
Social media and blogging platforms have democratized influence. You can be in your bedroom and impact millions globally.Stay True to Yourself
Whether you’re acting, blogging, singing, or dancing — stay authentic. People are drawn to realness more than perfection.Influence > Popularity
Many people are popular but not influential. Influence is the ability to inspire action, change mindsets, or spark conversations. Blogging gave me that.-
Purpose Attracts Platforms
When your motive is right, the doors will open. I wanted fame, but what I truly needed was a platform to express my voice. Blogging gave me that.
The Power of a Blogger in Today’s World
Don’t underestimate bloggers. In today’s digital economy:
Bloggers influence elections.
Bloggers break news before TV stations.
Bloggers create viral trends.
Bloggers are brand ambassadors.
Bloggers get paid to travel, eat, dress, and speak.
Some even turn into authors, CEOs, motivational speakers, and media personalities. The likes of Linda Ikeji, Noble Igwe, Uche Pedro (BellaNaija), and Aproko Doctor started with blogs and are now household names.
You don’t need a movie role to build a name. You need a message, a voice, and consistency.
How You Can Start Today
If you’re reading this and thinking, “Maybe I should consider blogging,” here’s my advice:
Pick a Niche: What do you love talking about? Fashion? Relationships? Motivation? Start there.
Create a Platform: Use Blogger, WordPress, Medium, or even Instagram or TikTok to share your content.
Be Consistent: Post regularly. Show up even when the audience is small.
Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, ask questions, run polls.
Add Value: Make people laugh, think, learn, or feel. That’s how you grow.
Monetize Smartly: As you grow, collaborate with brands, offer services, or run ads.
My Final Thoughts
I almost joined Nollywood chasing fame. But in trying to find the spotlight, I discovered my voice. Blogging gave me freedom, influence, income, and fulfillment — all from simply being me.
You don’t have to wait for auditions. You don’t need a producer’s approval. You don’t need to memorize scripts. All you need is a voice, a story, and the courage to share it.
So to the dreamers out there: celebrity is not just what you see on TV. Influence is no longer confined to movie screens. Your phone, your laptop, your blog — those are your stages.
Shine from there.
What about you? Have you been chasing the wrong version of success too?
Let me know in the comments or tag me on social media. I’d love to hear your story.
WATCH THIS VIDEO AND SEE WHY I LOVE ZUBY MICHEAL
0 comments:
Post a Comment