Entertainment

Omoni Oboli: How I Traded Scripts for Film Roles and Became a Director

Published

2 years ago

September 14, 2024

Photo source: Google

Omoni Oboli, a well-known actress and filmmaker, recently shared the story of her early struggles in the Nigerian film industry, revealing how she traded her scripts for acting roles when starting her career.

In a candid interview on Radionow FM, she opened up about the challenges she faced and what eventually inspired her shift from acting to directing.

Omoni explained that in the beginning, she was so eager to be part of the industry that she often accepted acting roles in exchange for her written scripts, instead of being paid.

Reflecting on those early experiences, she shared, “I would offer my scripts in return for a role in the movie.

I would tell them, don’t worry about paying me, just give me a part in the film.”

While this allowed her to secure acting jobs, she soon noticed that the final productions were not aligning with her creative vision.

As a screenwriter, Omoni described how she visualized the stories she wrote in vivid detail.

However, after watching the finished movies, she realized that the films often looked very different from what she had imagined.

She acknowledged that each director has their unique style, saying, “It’s not that the movies weren’t good, but no two directors will bring a script to life in the same way.”

This gap between her vision and the final product fueled her desire to take control of the stories she was creating.

Omoni’s determination to preserve the authenticity of her scripts pushed her to become a director herself.

She realized that the only way to ensure her stories had her personal touch was to oversee the filmmaking process from start to finish.

“If my stories are going to have my DNA, then I have to be the one directing them,” she explained.

Though the thought of transitioning from actress to director was daunting, Omoni’s confidence in her abilities propelled her forward.

She recounted telling herself, “Warri no dey carry last,” a popular saying in Nigerian Pidgin that means people from Warri, her hometown, never back down from a challenge.

This motivated her to believe that she could succeed as a director. Determined to improve her skills, Omoni began studying the directors she worked with while on set, closely observing their techniques.

In addition to learning through observation, she recognized the need for formal training.

To strengthen her craft, Omoni enrolled in a short course at the prestigious New York Film Academy, where she gained deeper insights into the world of directing.

Her journey from trading scripts for acting roles to becoming a successful director is a testament to her resilience and dedication to mastering her craft.

Entertainment

Zlatan Announces Wedding Date With Longtime Partner Davita

Published

16 hours ago

October 10, 2026

Ese Ohwofa

Nigerian rapper Zlatan Ibile has announced his upcoming wedding celebration with his longtime partner, Davita Lamai.

The couple revealed that their wedding celebration will take place on October 24, 2026, in a pre-wedding video shared on social media.

The video featured a voice-over from one of their children, who spoke about the love and support their parents have shown each other while reflecting on their family life.

Zlatan and Davita have been together for several years and share children. Their wedding announcement has since attracted congratulatory messages from fans, who are looking forward to the couple’s celebration.

The announcement comes after reports of a private civil ceremony earlier in 2026, with the upcoming event expected to mark another celebration of their union.

Entertainment

11 New K-Dramas To Add To Your Watch-list This October 2026

Published

16 hours ago

October 10, 2026

Ese Ohwofa

It’s a new month, which means K-drama fans have more series to add to their watchlists.

October 2026 brings a range of new Korean dramas, from romance and comedy to medical stories, mysteries and thrillers. Some have already premiered, while others are scheduled to arrive later in the month.

Here are 11 K-dramas to look out for this October:

Your Personal Taxi
Between Steps
Take Charge of My Heart
Doctor X
100 Days of Deception
Make Me Tingle
Love in Disguise
Final Table
Oh! My Guard
Dead-End Job
The Perfect Lie

Entertainment

10 Global Music Stars Who Became Famous At A Young Age

Published

16 hours ago

October 10, 2026

Ese Ohwofa

Several global music stars began their careers while they were still teenagers, growing up in the spotlight as their songs gained popularity around the world.

Justin Bieber is one of the best-known examples. He rose to fame as a teenager after his music videos attracted attention online. Selena Gomez also became a household name at a young age through acting and music.

Here are 10 singers who achieved fame early in their lives:

Justin Bieber – Rose to international fame as a teenager with songs such as “Baby.”
Selena Gomez – Gained early recognition through acting before building a successful music career.
Miley Cyrus – Became famous as a teenager through Hannah Montana and later released hit songs.
Taylor Swift – Began her music career as a teenager and became known for country songs such as “Our Song.”
Billie Eilish – Gained international attention as a teenager with “Ocean Eyes.”
Rihanna – Rose to fame as a teenager with her debut single “Pon de Replay.”
Ariana Grande – First became known through acting before establishing herself as a pop singer.
Britney Spears – Became a global pop sensation as a teenager with “…Baby One More Time.”
Shawn Mendes – Gained attention as a teenager by sharing song covers online before releasing his own music.
Olivia Rodrigo – Built an acting career while young before achieving major music success with “drivers license.”