Bolaji Ogunmola has spoken about the early challenges she faced in Nollywood, revealing how she was often stereotyped and restricted to certain roles because of her appearance and body type.
In an interview with content creator Joseph Onaolapo, the actress said she was frequently boxed into limited character roles, especially during a period when light-skinned actors dominated the industry.
She explained that casting decisions at the time often pushed her toward stereotypical “side chick” roles, soing she described as frustrating but not discouraging.
“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,” she said.
Ogunmola, who previously participated in the Next Movie Star reality show but did not make it into the final selection, described her journey in Nollywood as difficult but consistent, adding that persistence helped her stay relevant in the industry.
She also spoke about her early decision to pursue entrepreneurship instead of conventional office work, noting that she has always preferred building businesses over working a traditional nine to five job.
According to her, financial independence and business thinking are essential for survival in the entertainment industry, which she described as unpredictable.
The actress advised young creatives to invest and prepare for life beyond fame, stressing that success in entertainment can be temporary if not managed properly.
She also credited filmmaker Biodun Stephen for mentoring her early in her career, describing her as a major influence in her professional development and understanding of film production.
Ogunmola added that working closely with experienced filmmakers helped her learn discipline on set and shaped her growth as an actress.
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