Blessing Obasi Reveals She Was Told She Was Too Ugly to Act But Chose to Keep Believing
Nollywood actress and producer Blessing Obasi-Nze has opened up about the harsh criticisms and painful rejections she faced during her early years in the Nigerian film industry. In an emotional interview with Punch, the 43-year-old actress revealed that a respected director once told her she was “too ugly” to be on screen—words that deeply hurt but never stopped her.
Looking back, Blessing recalled the moment the director commented, someone she deeply admired. “I even remember when a popular director I deeply respected once told me I was too ugly to be in front of the camera. But look at me now,” she said, reflecting on how much has changed since then.
Her journey into Nollywood wasn’t smooth. Like many newcomers in the industry, she struggled with rejection, frustration, and self-doubt. She admitted that there were moments when she almost gave up on acting altogether. But it was her faith and strong belief in purpose that kept her going.
One of the turning points in her journey came after listening to a sermon by Pastor Sam Adeyemi at the Accelerate Conference. His words, “Stay put… it will make sense,” gave her the courage to keep pushing through dark and discouraging times. That message, she said, became a personal mantra that kept her grounded.
Blessing’s challenges didn’t start or end with the rejection from that director. She shared a childhood memory of how her mother once forced her to cut her hair after a failed audition preparation. “Some friends told me to blow out my hair for an audition. When my mum saw it, she was angry and made me cut it off completely. She told me to stop acting and focus on school,” she recalled.
Although she attempted acting in university, the difficulty of balancing it with academics made her step away. After graduation, she worked in a top oil company but her love for acting never faded. Eventually, she returned to Nollywood for good, determined to follow her dream.
Throughout her journey, people around her advised her to quit and get a more stable career. But she also had strong supporters, including her best friend who always told her, “When you go blow, you go blow,” referring to her future success. That encouragement kept her hopeful.
Today, Blessing Obasi-Nze is a recognized name in Nollywood. From her standout role in Momiwa to being the proud wife of actor Stan Nze and enjoying the joy of motherhood, her life is a reflection of resilience and grace. Her story reminds aspiring actors and dreamers that rejection does not define destiny—and believing in yourself can lead to unexpected success.
