Veteran Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwor, has candidly explained why some of her colleagues in the entertainment industry seek public assistance when facing medical challenges.
According to her , although actors are generally well-paid, the demands of their lavish lifestyles often hamper their ability to save sufficient funds for unforeseen circumstances, leading them to seek help from the public.
In a recent interview shared on TikTok by KWS Nigeria, Ozokwor shed light on the financial pressure actors face from family members and acquaintances who presume their on-screen presence equates to extreme wealth.
She highlighted that when actors fall ill, they no longer earn income, as they can only generate revenue by actively working on movie sets. Consequently, the medical bills pile up, prompting some actors to reach out to the public for assistance.
Ozokwor further elaborated on the expenditure habits prevalent in the entertainment industry, stating, “Because of the nature of our job, we are heavy spenders. The clothes you wear matter to the world. We call it packing, the way you package yourself. The worst part is that you can’t even repeat your expensive clothes. These are the things that make us spend a lot of money.”
She also mentioned how people often approach her for financial aid, assuming she possesses substantial wealth due to the visibility of her face on screens. These ongoing financial pressures, combined with the absence of earnings during illness, contribute to the challenges actors encounter when facing medical expenses.
Ozokwor’s insights provide a glimpse into the financial realities and lifestyle expectations that impact actors, shedding light on why some resort to seeking public assistance during times of illness.