Nigerian actress Stella Damasus talked about why actors from her country struggle to land major Hollywood parts. She says American movie makers have fixed ideas about how African people should look and sound. These ideas create barriers that prevent talented Nigerian performers from getting good roles in big budget films.
Hollywood executives expect all African actors to speak with East African accents like those heard in Kenya. They also want very dark skin tones similar to actress Lupita Nyong'o. Damasus explained that Nigerians sound completely different from people in East Africa. Each African country has unique ways of speaking that Hollywood producers don't understand.
Most Nigerian actors who have succeeded in American movies grew up in England or other Western countries. These performers developed British accents that sound more familiar to Hollywood casting directors. Damasus said movie executives told her she wasn't dark enough to fit their African stereotype. They also complained that her Nigerian accent sounded wrong to their ears.
The actress pointed out that Africa contains many different countries with diverse languages and speaking styles. She believes Hollywood needs to learn about this variety instead of forcing all African actors into one narrow category. American filmmakers should recognize that talented performers come from many different backgrounds across the continent.
Damasus thinks these outdated stereotypes hurt both Nigerian actors and Hollywood movies. Better understanding between cultures could create more opportunities for everyone involved in the film industry.
Hollywood executives expect all African actors to speak with East African accents like those heard in Kenya. They also want very dark skin tones similar to actress Lupita Nyong'o. Damasus explained that Nigerians sound completely different from people in East Africa. Each African country has unique ways of speaking that Hollywood producers don't understand.
Most Nigerian actors who have succeeded in American movies grew up in England or other Western countries. These performers developed British accents that sound more familiar to Hollywood casting directors. Damasus said movie executives told her she wasn't dark enough to fit their African stereotype. They also complained that her Nigerian accent sounded wrong to their ears.
The actress pointed out that Africa contains many different countries with diverse languages and speaking styles. She believes Hollywood needs to learn about this variety instead of forcing all African actors into one narrow category. American filmmakers should recognize that talented performers come from many different backgrounds across the continent.
Damasus thinks these outdated stereotypes hurt both Nigerian actors and Hollywood movies. Better understanding between cultures could create more opportunities for everyone involved in the film industry.
