Veteran Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, has sounded the alarm over what he considers a worrying trend in Nigeria’s film industry, particularly on YouTube, where casting decisions are increasingly being driven by popularity and appearance rather than genuine acting ability.
Kanayo, whose real name is Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, is one of Nollywood’s most respected pioneers, widely celebrated for his breakout role in the 1992 blockbuster Living in Bondage.
With a career spanning more than three decades, he has consistently positioned himself as an advocate for professionalism, quality, and respect for craft in the Nigerian film industry.
In a video message shared on his Instagram page on Monday, the actor expressed deep frustration at what he described as the growing monopolisation of roles by a select group of actors who dominate YouTube-based productions.
According to him, this practice is killing creativity and leaving countless emerging talents stranded on the sidelines.
“I have decided to take my destiny in my own hands as it pertains to my platform on YouTube,” Kanayo declared. “Movie making is not about having a fine face, it’s about being a good actor, a good performer. So, with or without a fine face, that’s what I’ve decided to do. If you don’t like it, well, that’s quite unfortunate.”
Kanayo drew a sharp comparison between the current YouTube trend and what transpired during Nollywood’s formative years in the 1990s.
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According to him, many promising actors had their careers cut short because sponsors and promoters only supported those they considered “marketable,” sidelining others despite their abilities.
“There was an incident many years ago when we were trying to bring up this Nollywood business, about 25 years ago. Some sponsors woke up and started branding actors: ‘this one is not a good one, this one does not sell films.’ They killed the careers of those guys. I can mention names, but for the sanctity of this broadcast, I won’t,” he revealed.
Kanayo warned that this destructive cycle is repeating itself on digital platforms, where the so-called “YouTube faces” have become the sole attraction for filmmakers chasing quick views. He argued that this approach ultimately hurts the industry by stifling new voices and limiting storytelling.
The veteran actor lamented that some of the most visible YouTube stars are now so oversaturated with roles that they dictate production schedules, leaving little room for fresh talent.
“Some of these guys will tell you they are not free from September 2025 till August 2026,” he said with dismay. “How then do we sustain the content you watch? How do we create magic? How do we encourage new actors to come into the business?”
For Kanayo, filmmaking is not about star power alone but about delivery, discipline, and depth. He insisted that he does not want producers to hire him merely because of his fame or selling face. “Call me because I can deliver,” he stressed.
As part of his response to the trend, Kanayo announced that he will be dedicating his own YouTube channel, Kanayo O. Kanayo TV, to working with fresh and under-recognized performers.
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His goal, he said, is to provide a platform for authentic talents to showcase their skills without being overshadowed by the industry’s obsession with a handful of already popular names.
“If you’re a new face, come on, let’s do magic on Kanayo O. Kanayo TV on YouTube. Let’s create stories with people who can deliver, who can act,” he urged.
The actor admitted to being disappointed that the Nigerian film industry continues to “somersault” into the same pitfalls, but he remained optimistic that the current obsession with popularity over ability will eventually pass.
“I don’t know why when things come to Nigeria, there’s always a somersault, and this somersault is happening now on YouTube. But I want to employ my life’s philosophy to say: this too shall pass,” he concluded.
Kanayo’s comments come at a time when YouTube has become one of Nollywood’s fastest-growing platforms, with thousands of short films, series, and full-length movies being uploaded monthly.
While the platform has provided wider access to audiences and boosted revenue opportunities for filmmakers, critics argue that it has also encouraged repetitive storylines and predictable casting.
By positioning himself as a defender of ability over hype, Kanayo O. Kanayo is not only reaffirming his long-standing reputation as a Nollywood purist but also challenging the next generation of filmmakers to rethink their priorities.
For him, the future of Nollywood lies not in recycling familiar faces but in nurturing the next wave of great performers who can sustain the industry’s global momentum.
