Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Umeh has stirred conversation after alleging that her colleague, Chioma Akpotha, does not accept kissing or romantic roles in films.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Where Is The Lie podcast, Umeh attributed Chioma’s supposed avoidance of intimate roles to her Catholic upbringing.
According to Umeh, the award-winning actress grew up in a very strict Catholic home that shaped her principles and values as a performer.
“Chioma Chukwuka was brought up in a very Catholic home. She doesn’t accept kissing or romantic roles in movies. I’m saying this out of experience. She was a legionary. She has been a good girl,” Umeh remarked.
Her statement has since sparked debate among Nollywood fans, especially because Chioma Chukwuka has, in fact, played romantic characters on screen over the years.
In the recently released film Seven Doors, she was seen in a romantic scene with popular actor Femi Adebayo, including a kiss that directly contradicts Umeh’s claim.
Chioma, who has built a reputation as one of Nollywood’s most consistent and respected actresses, is known for her versatility.
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Since making her debut in the late 1990s, she has taken on a wide range of roles in both romantic dramas and family-centered films.
Her career has spanned more than two decades, with performances in movies such as On My Wedding Day, Wives on Strike, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, and Seven Doors.
Many of these films featured her in romantic or emotionally intense roles, showing her ability to adapt to different storylines.
While Umeh’s remarks suggest a pattern of rejection of certain roles, industry followers argue that Chukwuka’s career choices show a willingness to embrace romance on screen when the story demands it.
The comments also highlight a recurring debate in Nollywood about the boundaries actors set for themselves based on personal, cultural, or religious beliefs.
For years, some actors have openly admitted to avoiding kissing, smoking, or nudity on screen due to personal values, while others see such roles as part of the craft.
So far, Chioma Chukwuka has not publicly addressed Umeh’s remarks. However, her body of work appears to challenge the claim, as she has demonstrated professionalism in taking on both family-friendly and romantic roles when required.
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The conversation has also sparked reactions from fans online, with some praising Chioma for her discipline and religious convictions, while others pointed to her filmography as evidence that she has not shied away from romance in acting.
Whether Umeh’s comments were based on earlier experiences working with Chioma in the early stages of her career, or a general perception within the industry, they have reopened discussion about how actors balance personal beliefs with professional expectations.
For now, what remains clear is that Chioma Chukwuka continues to be a household name in Nollywood, admired for her talent, longevity, and ability to remain relevant in an ever-changing industry.
