On Sunday, March 20, 2016, Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe Gentry, reacted to a This Day Style cover, which omitted her name as one of Nollywood best dressed.
Her response led to people addressing the existing gap between Yoruba actors and English speaking movie industry. In a recent interview with Punch, the actress addressed the issue.
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Mercy Aigbe in new photos
(instagram)
Mercy Aigbe spoke on the discrimination in Nollywood, Yoruba actors seen as illiterates, and Yoruba movie genres having better actors.
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Read excerpts from interview below;
On reason behind discrimination against Yoruba movie practitioners;
I really don’t know why and it has been on for a very long time. However, we have started to get better recognition unlike what obtained in the industry four years ago. The gap is already being bridged and I think it is only a matter of time. I think we Yoruba actors also need to let people know that we are also a part of Nollywood and demand to be respected like our English counterparts.
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Mercy Aigbe Gentry's outfit to the AMVCA's
(Instagram)
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On Yoruba movie genre having better actors;
Our counterparts in the English genre have always had fantastic stories and actors. I think Nollywood should be one and devoid of any form of disparity or segregation. The term Nollywood in my opinion means movies made in Nigeria irrespective of the medium. I am also featuring in a Hausa movie which will be released soon.
Our counterparts in the English genre have always had fantastic stories and actors. I think Nollywood should be one and devoid of any form of disparity or segregation. The term Nollywood in my opinion means movies made in Nigeria irrespective of the medium. I am also featuring in a Hausa movie which will be released soon.
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Mercy Aigbe and son in new photos
(instagram)
ALSO READ: YORUBA ACTORS AND MOVIES ARE NOT CONSIDERED PART OF NOLLYWOOD [OPINION]
On why Yoruba actors are tagged illiterates;
This is one area where I have a problem with people’s perception of Yoruba actors. Many people think we are uneducated and can’t speak good English. I think people are not informed, so whenever someone tells me they are not aware I speak proper English, I simply laugh it off.
Mercy Aigbe is popular for movies like "Victims," "Oju Ife," "Atunida leyi," among others.
Watch Aigbe in "Victims" trailer below.
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