Renowned actor, Uzor Arukwe, has spoken out against the industry’s alarming practice on how filmmakers select actors for movies.
According to Uzor Arukwe, most actors are cast for movies based on their social media followers over quality.
In a recent interview with Pulse, Uzor Arukwe claimed that producers frequently choose actors with a strong online presence above those with true acting abilities.
Uzor Arukwe admitted that a select few actors have achieved success in the industry by combining skill with a strong web presence.
He noted that this trend has resulted in an unfair advantage, with performers with greater social media following receiving preference over those with actual talent.
Uzor Arukwe, who has spent more than 20 years in the industry, remarked on his early days as a struggling actor, saying:
“I remember all so clearly when I started. It was a big problem for me,” the 40-year-old actor told Pulse in a recent interview.
“There was a time in this industry when it was mostly about Instagram and Twitter followers, and stuff like that. I didn’t understand it but knew it was something I had to be at peace with because a production house wants to hire you and they’re looking at your numbers. ‘But can he act?’ That is the question I always ask. But some people are blessed who are fantastic actors who have numbers and they’ve been doing well.”
