Actress and filmmaker Bolaji Ogunmola has opened up about the challenges she faced early in her acting career, revealing that industry stereotypes around skin tone and body shape influenced the kinds of roles she was offered.
Speaking in an interview with media personality JayOnAir, Ogunmola said she was frequently confined to limited character types because of perceptions about her appearance.
She explained that during a period when light-skinned actors were more prominently featured, she often found herself restricted to supporting roles, a situation she attributed to both her dark skin tone and curvy physique.
According to her, these expectations made it difficult for her to access a wider range of characters.
“It was almost like they wanted to put me in a box. I am dark-skinned. There was a time when light-skinned people were reigning, and they told me I was very curvy and tried to limit me to ‘side chick’ roles. That went on for a while, and I didn’t like it,” she said.
Ogunmola, who previously participated in the Next Movie Star reality show but did not make it to the final stage, described her journey in Nollywood as difficult but consistent.
“My journey has been crazy, but I have just kept at it,” she added.
Beyond acting, the filmmaker revealed that she began a side business early in her career, noting that she preferred entrepreneurship over conventional 9–5 employment.
She said she deliberately avoided traditional office work, instead focusing on building alternative income streams and financial independence.
“I just wanted my life to have meaning at that time. I am not somebody who likes to sit at home; I wanted to do something. I never wanted to do 9–5… I am business-savvy like that,” she said.
Ogunmola also emphasized the importance of long-term planning in the entertainment industry, warning that fame can be temporary and unstable.
She urged creatives to invest and position themselves early, stressing that financial discipline is key to sustainability in the industry.
“Life is in phases. You are popular today, you may not be tomorrow. What are you doing to put food on the table? You should be investing, positioning yourself from now,” she noted.
The actress credited filmmaker Biodun Stephen as a major influence on her professional growth, saying she learned a great deal by observing her on set.
She added that humility and a willingness to learn remain essential for success in the film industry, noting that her approach has always been to serve and absorb knowledge before leading.
