Lilian Afegbai Opens Up on Early Rejection in Nollywood: How Perseverance Turned Her ‘No’s Into ‘Yeses’
Nollywood actress and former Big Brother Africa housemate Lilian Afegbai has opened up about the difficult early days of her acting career, revealing that she faced repeated rejection — even from people she considered friends.
In a candid interview with The Sun, the Edo-born star of To Kill A Monkey recounted how several producers and casting directors, including close acquaintances, constantly overlooked her talent or offered her only background roles.
“One of the biggest challenges I faced was dealing with rejection and people not being willing to take a chance on me as an actress,” she said.
“People that I know, friends in the production industry, casting me as an extra and not an actor… When it becomes the norm for your friends to forget you are an actor, it’s frustrating.”
Afegbai explained that those painful experiences initially made her question her abilities, but instead of giving up, she decided to push harder — improving her craft and proving her worth through sheer determination and consistency.
“Instead of letting it break me, I used it as fuel to work harder, sharpen my skills, and prove myself,” she added. “Over time, consistency and perseverance paid off, and those same ‘no’s eventually turned into ‘yes.’”
Her story reflects the unglamorous side of the movie industry — one that many aspiring actors face but few openly discuss.
💬 Opinion: Lilian’s Story is a Lesson in Turning Pain into Power
Lilian Afegbai’s experience is a familiar story in Nollywood — a reminder that talent alone doesn’t always open doors. Sometimes, it takes rejection, tears, and sheer stubbornness to be seen and respected.
What makes her story inspiring isn’t just that she succeeded, but that she refused to let rejection define her worth. She didn’t bow to frustration or blame others; she turned every “no” into motivation.
In an industry where connections often matter more than competence, Lilian’s rise proves that consistency can outlast favoritism.
Her journey speaks to anyone chasing a dream — especially those overlooked or underestimated. Rejection, as her story shows, isn’t the end; it’s often the beginning of resilience.
