Kanayo O. Kanayo slams industry’s obsession with “fine faces”

Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has launched his YouTube channel, Kanayo O Kanayo TV, where he aims to showcase his acting prowess without relying on the industry’s current obsession with “fine faces”.

In a video posted on his social media pages, Kanayo expressed his frustration with the current state of the Nigerian movie industry, particularly on YouTube, where casting decisions seem to prioritize popularity and looks over real acting skills.

The Problem with “Fine Faces”

Kanayo lamented that this trend is stifling creativity and killing talent in the industry.

He drew parallels to the past, where sponsors would sideline gifted performers for not being commercially appealing, and noted that the same pattern is emerging on YouTube, where a select group of “acclaimed YouTube faces” dominate casting choices.

“What happened years ago, when some sponsors killed the careers of talented actors whom they believed could not sell films, is beginning to rear its ugly head,” he said.

Call To Action for New Talent

Despite his frustration, Kanayo remains hopeful and has extended an open invitation to rising stars to collaborate on his YouTube channel.

“If you are a new face, let’s create magic on the Kanayo O Kanayo TV on YouTube,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to storytelling and the craft of acting over popularity.

Kanayo’s move joins a growing list of Nollywood stars like Ruth Kadiri, Omoni Oboli, and Funke Akindele, who are using YouTube to produce films and connect directly with audiences.