Nollywood actress Damilola Oni has spoken candidly about a painful experience in her career, alleging that a senior colleague once blocked her from landing a major role.
In an interview on Oyinmomo TV, Oni revealed that the unnamed industry figure refused to share a film set with her, forcing producers to make a difficult choice that ultimately sidelined her.
According to the actress, she had been cast in what was meant to be a breakthrough lead role. However, after waiting on set for several hours without any direction, she began to suspect something was wrong.
Her concerns were later confirmed when a producer approached her, asking if she had offended a colleague. She was told that the senior figure had issued an ultimatum — that the production team must choose between them.
The decision did not favour her, and she was subsequently reassigned to a minor role.
Despite the setback, Oni said she refused to let the experience derail her ambitions, stressing her determination to succeed in the competitive Nollywood industry. She maintained that there is space for everyone to thrive, regardless of challenges.
Beyond career obstacles, the actress also opened up about disturbing experiences with online harassment. She disclosed that she frequently receives explicit messages and inappropriate comments from male followers, some of whom admit to engaging in sexual acts while watching her on screen.
Oni, who described herself as single, clarified that such advances do not align with her personal standards.
She also criticised the entertainment industry’s growing emphasis on self-promotion over raw talent, noting that individuals who generate hype often achieve greater visibility than those with stronger acting abilities.
According to her, success in today’s industry increasingly depends on the ability to market oneself, even as many talented actors remain overlooked.