Award-winning music video director, Praise Onyeagwalam, popularly known as Director Pink, has revealed that she abandoned her acting dreams after experiencing humiliation and sexual exploitation during her early days in Nollywood.
Speaking in a recent interview with Hip TV, Director Pink said her struggles at auditions made her realise that the industry was tougher and less dignifying than she had imagined.
“I wanted to be an actress, but the humiliation was too much. Long queues, shady ‘come to this location’ calls, I said no. That’s when I chose to be my own boss,” she recalled.
From aspiring actress to visionary director
Director Pink explained that her decision to switch from acting to directing was born out of frustration but eventually turned into empowerment.
She said that while acting presented constant rejection and unwanted advances, video directing allowed her to express creativity on her own terms.
“I realised I could still be in the entertainment space without compromising my values,” she said. “Directing gave me freedom and respect that acting auditions never offered.”
Patience and purpose in the industry
The cinematographer, known for working with top Afrobeats artistes, advised upcoming directors to embrace patience and dedication.
According to her, success in the music video industry does not come overnight, and those who are at the top today endured years of learning and setbacks.
She said, “If you want to succeed, you must understand that delayed gratification is part of the journey. It took years for those at the top to get there.”