Adunni Ade, the Nollywood actress, has spoken out about the challenges she faces in the movie industry due to her mixed background.
Born to an American mother and a Nigerian father, Ade trained as an accountant at the University of Kentucky before moving to Nigeria to pursue acting full-time.
In an interview with Seun Oloketuyi, Adunni revealed that some producers doubt her ability to play certain roles because of her Caucasian appearance.
The 48-year-old revealed that she often gets rejected at the last minute without explanation and has learned to brush it off.
Adunni said she was happy that she is not limited to specific roles while being appreciative to God.
“I have played so many characters that even I would be like thank God I am getting this. I am very appreciative that I was never limited to roles that are been given to me,” she said.
“Moreso, sometimes playing lead or parent might be difficult for a filmmaker to cast. Who is going to play her mum who is going to play her dad? Someone who looks like her. Yorùbá never had that problem. If I needed to play someone’s daughter, Madam Saje is there, Shaffy Bello is there. So many people have played my mum. They would just have a story to tell about the dad.
“There had been days when I would get a call, or script, excited about the character, I am already in that mood, thinking of how I am going to transform into this person and just deliver. And then last minute, they will begin to (stutter).
“Back then, it will affect me, bug me, because I am like, did you not think about this before calling me? Why last minute did you change your mind? Of recent this happened. And I was like no problem. Another day it will rest.”