Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has dismissed long-standing rumours of a feud with fellow actress Genevieve Nnaji, insisting that there was never any personal conflict between them.
In an interview on Yanga FM, clips of which surfaced on Instagram Wednesday, Omotola explained that perceived rivalries were largely fueled by fans and media narratives during the peak of their careers.
“People don’t need to be best friends, but we talked. Behind the film, we dey talk normally,” she said in a mix of English and Pidgin, adding that comparisons pushed by the industry often created tension where none existed.
Omotola also highlighted that both she and Genevieve are reserved individuals, making public conflict unlikely. “I’ve never been somebody you can sit to quarrel with,” she said.
The actress weighed in on the ongoing debate over marketing strategies in Nollywood, particularly the growing trend of using dance and social media content to promote films. Speaking about her upcoming movie Mothers Love, set for release on March 6, she stated she does not subscribe to dancing as a marketing tool.
“I’m sorry, I will not be doing the dancing. It’s just not me. I dance, I love to dance, but when it becomes a chore to sell a movie, it’s not professional,” she said. She emphasized that promoting films should remain the responsibility of distributors and marketers, not actors alone.
Omotola also criticized the growing tendency to prioritize social media influencers over trained actors, noting that experience and discipline should be respected. She said the trend of hiring based on popularity rather than skill undermines professional standards and leads to poor quality performances.
“There would always be influencers, but you cannot compare them with people who have put time and sweat into the craft. We need to respect experience,” she said.
According to Omotola, filmmakers are increasingly shifting additional responsibilities onto actors, which can lead to burnout and affect performance. She stressed that professionalism in acting involves not just what is seen on camera, but also discipline and dedication behind the scenes.
Her comments underscore the tension between traditional acting craft and the pressures of modern social media-driven promotion in Nollywood.
