Veteran actress Tina Mba isn’t holding back when it comes to calling out a mindset she believes is holding some actors back.
During a chat on Lights, Camera, It’s Your Turn, hosted by Tope Olowoniyan, Mba shared her thoughts on the obsession some actors have with always playing the lead. According to her, it’s not only unnecessary—it shows a lack of understanding of the craft.
“Some actors think that just because they’ve had a lead role once, they must stay in that position forever. That’s not only unrealistic—it’s misguided,” she said.
Known for her ability to breathe life into any character she plays, Mba emphasized that every role—no matter how small—matters. She argued that acting isn’t about being in the spotlight all the time but about telling stories that resonate.
She referenced Pretty Woman as a personal favorite—not for the big names on the poster, but for a street kid character who only appeared briefly but left a lasting impression.
“I can understand the audience getting carried away by leads. But for actors? We should know better,” she said.
To those who chase only starring roles, Mba had a final message: “If it works for them, good luck. But as far as I’m concerned, there’s no such thing as a small role—only small-minded actors.”
