“I refused to trade my dignity for fame” — Director Pink opens up on quitting Nollywood

Popular music video director, Praise Onyeagwalam, better known as Director Pink, has opened up about why she abandoned her dream of becoming an actress, revealing that she faced humiliation and sexual exploitation during her early years in Nollywood.

In an interview with Hip TV, the award-winning cinematographer recounted how her experiences at auditions made her realise the entertainment industry wasn’t as glamorous as she once thought.

“I wanted to be an actress, but the humiliation was too much. Long queues, shady ‘come to this location’ calls — I just couldn’t do it. That’s when I decided to be my own boss,” she said.

From rejection to reinvention

What began as frustration soon became the foundation of a new career path. Director Pink said that moving behind the camera gave her creative freedom and self-respect that she never found during her time chasing acting roles.

“I realised I could still be part of the entertainment industry without compromising my values. Directing gave me freedom and respect that acting never did,” she added.

Now one of the most sought-after female directors in the Afrobeats scene, Director Pink has worked with several high-profile artistes, earning a reputation for her bold visuals and storytelling.

“Patience pays”

Sharing advice for aspiring filmmakers, she emphasised that the journey to success requires time and perseverance.

“If you want to succeed, you have to understand that delayed gratification is part of the process. Everyone at the top today spent years learning and failing before getting there,” she said.