Adaora Ukoh Talks About Her Challenges As A Plus-Size Actress In Nollywood

Nollywood actress Adaora Ukoh shared her experience in Nollywood as a plus size actress with TheMagazineClub.com.....

Here’s what she said:

    I got into Nollywood when it was still a dribbling toddler. And there was a time I actually did think that I was getting the right kind of growth and progression in the industry.

    It seemed slow but I was grateful for the jobs I got and I gave them my very best shot
    But then…I’m not sure what happened really, but it seemed I met a brick wall, or my career was a stalemate.

    I grew from confused to angry to confused again to bitter to sad, and then to prayerful.I realised when the jobs came, they were tied to particular kind of roles that had to do with playing a mother, or an over-fed bitter sister-in-law, anything but the major and glamorous roles.

    I’m not even going to pretend and say I shrugged it off. I tried to, yet it still hurts like an open sore.

    I know we live in a skinny world, with skinny people taking all the cream. How we got there, I am not sure.

    Let’s just say it’s a tough world for plus size people!

    And in all of this, I have tried so many times to lose weight, just so I can ”fit in” (not sure what that means anymore) but I have come to realise that I am who I am; what would the world be like if we all had to be slim? Where is the variety of life if God created us all the same?

    I was hungry for challenging roles as an actress, and a more focused career that is beefed up with endorsements and sort, just like anyone with proper ambition would think for themselves; and to be hampered because of the way-you-look…aaaah!

    It just kills!

    But anyway I have gradually grown beyond it, and the healing and complete acceptance of who I am continues despite it all.

    Now I am focused on things that will succeed regardless of how big or skinny I am!