Veteran Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Shan George, has opened up about how honesty once cost her a life-changing opportunity.

The actress recalled that more than ten years ago, after producing a movie with a budget of ₦6 million, she met one of Nigeria’s richest men and invited him to her premiere. When the businessman asked how much she had spent on production, she told him the truth.

According to her, that simple honesty ruined the deal.

“After I told him ₦6 million, he just smiled and waved me off. I later tried to reach out to him for investment in another project, but he became unreachable,” George wrote.

Recently, the actress said she stumbled on an interview where the same man admitted that he doesn’t take “little people” seriously when it comes to business. That, she said, helped her understand why he brushed her off.

Despite the setback, Shan George insists she has no regrets.

“This is how the truth keeps setting us back every time. Shey I for lie then ni? But I sure won’t join the lying gang, neither will I fake it to make it,” she added, jokingly asking the businessman if he would now invest since she makes “$100M movies with just one Bitcoin.”

Opinion: When Truth Meets the Harsh Realities of Business

Shan George’s story strikes a chord beyond Nollywood—it touches the universal dilemma of truth versus perception in business. Many entrepreneurs and creatives face the same challenge: tell the truth about your struggles and risk being dismissed, or exaggerate your success to win credibility.

Her experience shows the unfortunate reality that in many industries, perception often outweighs potential. The businessman’s refusal to take her seriously because she was a “small producer” speaks volumes about how society sometimes underestimates dreamers at the starting line. Yet, it is often those very dreamers who later redefine the game.

But Shan George’s refusal to lie is powerful. It shows integrity, resilience, and belief in long-term growth rather than quick wins. In a world where “fake it till you make it” seems to be the mantra, her stand is refreshing—even inspiring.

For young creatives, her story is both a caution and a challenge: the truth may not always open doors instantly, but it builds a foundation that can’t be shaken. And as Shan cheekily pointed out, today’s “little person” might just be tomorrow’s giant—and by then, no amount of money can buy the loyalty you missed.