"God Used Zubby Michael to Change My Life" — Actor Nwosu Michael Opens Up on His Transformation

Nollywood actor Nwosu Michael, popularly known as Yabkaba, has opened up about his journey from playing rugged roles on screen to becoming a changed man in real life, crediting fellow actor Zubby Michael as a major influence in his transformation.

Speaking in an interview, Michael revealed that before 2020, he lived without the fear of God — until a divine encounter turned his life around. “God arrested me because I was once bad,” he confessed.

Michael rose to fame through his breakout performances in German Machine and Convenience of Money, after debuting in the movie Return of Shina Rambo directed by Ilochi Olisemeka. His convincing portrayal of “bad boy” characters led many film producers to typecast him in tough-guy roles, often starring alongside Zubby Michael in blockbusters like Who Killed Abobi, Secret of Zubby, The Assassin, Flashback, and his latest, The Clash.

But off-screen, the story was different. Michael recalled a turning point when Zubby, who he initially assumed was a “bad boy” due to his movie persona, offered him life-changing advice.

“We were at a movie location. I was by my car talking on the phone in coded language, not knowing Zubby overheard me. He came over, opened my passenger seat, and told me those people I was talking to would do me no good. He told me to focus on my career because I was a star,” Michael narrated.

That simple conversation sparked a friendship and gave Michael a new perspective on the company he kept. Over time, he shifted from playing mostly tough roles to portraying lover boys, responsible men, and working-class characters.

Reflecting on his career, Michael admitted he never envisioned acting as his path, believing he would graduate from university, get a white-collar job, and live a normal life. He also stressed the importance of financial independence for aspiring actors, warning that without a stable footing, it’s easy to struggle during the tough times.

“When I started acting, I had a car and could take care of myself, but it wasn’t easy. If I had family or industry support, it wouldn’t have been so hard,” he said, describing his eventual stardom as “divine.”

Opinion:
Michael’s story is a reminder that behind every “bad boy” role in Nollywood, there’s often a real person with a different heart and a different story. The entertainment industry can easily trap actors in the shadows of the characters they play, making it hard for audiences to separate fiction from reality.

It’s also a testament to how a single moment of kindness — like Zubby Michael’s unexpected advice — can alter the course of someone’s life. In a competitive industry often driven by ego and rivalry, such gestures are rare but powerful.

Michael’s emphasis on financial stability for budding actors is also spot-on. Passion alone can’t sustain a career in Nollywood; preparation and independence are key to surviving the unpredictable tides of the industry.

His transformation shows that sometimes, the real plot twist happens off-camera — and it can be even more inspiring than the scripts we watch on screen.