Nigerian actress and model, Beverly Osu, has opened up about the emotional toll of her role in the Netflix original film Òlòtūré.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Pidgin, the actress revealed that the intensity of her performance left her battling depression for three months.

Osu explained that as a method actor, she immerses herself deeply in her characters, a process that sometimes makes it difficult to return to her real self.

“What we are is what they call method actors. I can’t just read a script, execute it, and then in two days become another person. It takes a lot of mental detox before I can enter into another character.
When I shot Òlòtūré and left the set, I was depressed for three months because of an identity crisis. I was trying to search and piece together fragments of Beverly in order to bring myself back,” she shared.

Òlòtūré, which sheds light on human trafficking and the exploitation of young women, required Osu to embody dark realities that mirror the struggles of many women in society.

Opinion

Beverly Osu’s revelation highlights a rarely discussed truth in Nollywood — the psychological cost of storytelling. While audiences applaud the powerful performances that bring films like Òlòtūré to life, few pause to consider the emotional burden actors bear in order to tell these stories authentically.

Her honesty also draws attention to the need for stronger mental health support systems within the entertainment industry. Actors, directors, and crew members often face intense psychological pressure, yet conversations about therapy, recovery, and emotional well-being remain scarce in Nollywood.

Osu’s experience should remind us that behind every award-winning performance is a human being navigating fragile emotions. Just as the film Òlòtūré forces society to confront uncomfortable realities about exploitation, her testimony forces us to confront another truth: art is powerful, but it must never come at the expense of the artist’s mental health.

If Nollywood is to keep rising on the global stage, then mental wellness must be valued as highly as creativity and talent.