No Role Is Too Small”: Veteran Actress Tina Mba Slams Lead-Only Mentality in Nollywood

Veteran Nollywood actress Tina Mba has called out actors who believe they must always play lead roles to stay relevant in the film industry, branding such thinking as narrow-minded and uneducated.

Speaking on Lights, Camera, It’s Your Turn, a show hosted by actress Tope Olowoniyan, Mba challenged the notion that supporting roles are a downgrade or inferior. Known for her unmatched versatility and depth, the celebrated thespian emphasized that every character plays a vital part in storytelling.

“Sometimes an actor believes that because they have played lead, they must continue to play lead in every film. That is delusional,” she stated. “There are characters and roles for everyone. That one plays a supporting actor does not make one less.”

She went on to reference the Hollywood classic Pretty Woman, pointing out that her favorite character in the film was a street urchin who only appeared briefly — yet left a lasting impression. “I can forgive the public if they see the lead as everything, but for us as actors, it’s a role.”

Mba wrapped up her candid opinion with a quote that’s already gaining traction: “Personally, I believe there are no small roles but small actors.”

Opinion:
Tina Mba’s statement is a timely reminder that true artistry isn’t about being front and center—it’s about embodying a character and telling a story, no matter how big or small the role is. In an age where fame sometimes overshadows craft, Mba’s wisdom brings the focus back to what really matters in acting: impact, not screen time. Her words should resonate with aspiring and veteran actors alike: greatness isn’t measured by the number of lines you speak, but by the weight your performance carries.

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