Actress Adunni Ade, celebrated for her Nigerian and Irish heritage, recently opened up about the challenges she faced early in her Nollywood journey due to her skin tone.
In a candid interview with Channels TV, Ade shared the struggles she encountered in securing acting roles, citing a lack of scripts tailored for actresses with her appearance. She expressed the need for greater representation of individuals with mixed heritage in the Nigerian film industry, stressing that scripts often overlooked people who resembled her.
“I have said this quite a few times, and whenever I say this, it’s not about me being negative or trying to put the film industry in a negative light. But you really have to be sincere if you want to talk about filmmaking. Script are not written for people who look like me because, typically here in Nigeria, we are all black,” she told Channels TV.
Ade highlighted the prevalence of skin-lightening practices, even within Nollywood, but emphasized the distinction between having lighter skin and being white. She noted the challenges faced by actresses of mixed heritage, underscoring that skin lightening trends don’t address their unique struggles.
““Yes a lot of female, even males will like to be light skinned, maybe add one of two things to look light skinned, but being light skin and having this colour are two different things. They can still pass and still get roles easier than I would. I’m more on the white side,” she said.
Despite initial setbacks, Ade refused to let obstacles deter her ambitions in the Nigerian film industry. She forged ahead, showcasing resilience and determination, even venturing into film production. Notably, she served as a producer for the 2021 movie “Soole,” demonstrating her diverse talents and unwavering dedication to the industry.
Reflecting on her journey, Ade shared her commitment to inclusive casting practices in her productions, emphasizing that talent and ability supersede skin color.
“Because I wasn’t landing the roles I desired, it drove me toward filmmaking. One principle I uphold is never casting based on color. Everyone, regardless of background, has a chance on my set. If you can embody the character, you’ll get a shot,” she affirmed during the interview.
