Veteran Nollywood actress Tina Mba has challenged the idea that actors must always play lead roles to stay relevant in the film industry. Speaking on Lights, Camera, It’s Your Turn, a show hosted by actress Tope Olowoniyan, she described this belief as small-minded and misguided.
According to a report from Nigeria Entertainment News, Mba made it clear that every role in a production holds value, regardless of its prominence. She urged actors to rethink the obsession with the spotlight and focus on the quality of their performance instead.
“There are no small roles but small actors,” she said.
She went on to explain that believing one must always be the lead reflects a lack of understanding of the craft. “That one plays a supporting actor does not make one less. It is an uneducated actor that thinks playing lead is the ultimate,” she added.
Mba used Pretty Woman as an example of meaningful character work. Her favorite role in the film was a minor one — the street urchin who appeared at the beginning and end — proving that even small roles can leave lasting impressions.
Her comments address a growing trend in the industry where actors measure success by the size of their role instead of the strength of their performance. She pointed out that being cast in a supporting role is not a setback but an opportunity to bring depth and truth to a character.
Her candid take encourages a shift in mindset across Nollywood, especially for newer actors who may feel pressured to chase stardom over storytelling.
Article updated 1 month ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
