Femi Branch Slams Nollywood Actors Over Lack of Professionalism
Veteran Nollywood actor, Femi Branch, has strongly criticized fellow actors in the industry for lacking professionalism and failing to fully embrace the characters they portray on screen.
In a now-viral video, Branch called out actors who appear the same in every role, arguing that they do not make any physical or emotional efforts to transform into their characters. He described such actors as “frauds” who cheat their audience by prioritizing appearance over authentic performance.
“You have someone who calls himself an actor and he has just one look in every film, I’m sorry dude, you’re not professional. You’re a fraud,” Branch said.
He went on to explain that real actors immerse themselves in their roles and are willing to undergo any necessary transformation—be it emotional or physical. He criticized those who force viewers to ignore their consistent personal image just to follow the storyline.
“The audience has to keep convincing themselves that it’s not you—they’re doing your job for you. You’re giving them stress!” he added.
To make his point, Branch referenced renowned Hollywood actors like Michael Fassbender, Joaquin Phoenix, and rapper 50 Cent, all of whom have gone through drastic physical changes for roles. He insisted that actors must be ready to alter their appearance if the role demands it, even if it means going bald or adding warts to their face.
What did Femi Branch mean by saying actors are ‘frauds’?
He believes actors who never change their appearance or behavior for different roles are not real professionals. Instead of fully becoming the character, they show up as themselves, making the audience work harder to believe the story.
Branch concluded by stating that true actors do not own their bodies—they belong to the craft. He urged his colleagues to stop focusing on popularity and looks, and instead dive deep into their characters if they want to be taken seriously in the industry.
His bold message has sparked conversations in Nollywood, with many praising his honesty and calling for better acting standards across the board.
