MassKennyD Speaks Out on Bullying in Nollywood, Challenges in the Industry

MassKennyD Speaks Out on Bullying in Nollywood, Challenges in the Industry

Beautiful Nollywood actress and young entrepreneur Adebowale Kehinde, popularly known as MassKennyD, has affirmed the existence of bullying in the Nigerian movie industry.

 

The graduate of Accounting from Esa-Oke College of Technology, Osun State, made this assertion during an interview with Potpourri, where she discussed the challenges she faced while starting out and how her passion for acting kept her going.

 

She highlighted how bullying, especially from senior colleagues, is a reality many actors experience. “I have never liked the feeling of being bullied. This is something almost every last child can relate with. For this reason, I have a strong aversion to bullying. So, I try not to overstep my boundaries so as not to create issues with senior colleagues because I like to fight for what’s right and just,” she said.

Recalling a particular incident, she shared, “There was a certain time I was spoken to rudely by someone I didn’t recognize while at a location. I didn’t respond in the same manner I was treated. I was quite calm about it, not until one of our coordinators heard about it and had to reprimand the fellow.”

 

Her Journey into Nollywood
MassKennyD traced her love for acting back to her early years in school. “Right from when I was in primary school, I always enjoyed performing with the Drama & Cultural Group, and this continued in secondary school. After my O’Level education, I met Aunty Laide Bakare, who I looked up to while growing up. I used to call her Aunty Idowu. I told her about my passion for acting, and she officially started taking me along with her to film locations,” she recounted.

 

However, she desired formal training and was later introduced to the late Dejo Tunfulu, who had an acting academy at the time.

 

Speaking on the difficulties she encountered, MassKennyD expressed her displeasure with the misconceptions people have about actors.

“People assume that because you appear on their screen, you must be extremely rich and comfortable. But one major challenge is not being as free as I would have loved to, bearing in mind that some people might recognize me,” she explained.

 

She also addressed the controversial issue of Sex-for-Roles in Nollywood, emphasizing that it should never be an option for any aspiring actress, as it is a dangerous path to take.

 

Her Rising Career
MassKennyD has appeared in several Nollywood productions, including Owo Ma Go, Inu Ji, Omoge Jemila, Ago Kan Oru, Omo Meji, Temilade Oniyepe, Secretary, Iwa, Akuko Oru, Itele, Oga Google, Kakaki, and Jomiloju, among others. Currently, she is working on Okinni, her own production.

 

With her dedication, resilience, and talent, MassKennyD continues to carve a niche for herself in the Nigerian film industry, inspiring young actors to pursue their dreams despite the challenges.