Veteran Nollywood actor, Kanayo O Kanayo, has spoken out about what he described as a worrying trend in the movie industry.

In a video he shared on Instagram, the 62-year-old stressed that acting should never be about appearance but about true performance. He explained that being a good actor is what matters, whether or not one has a “fine face.”

Kanayo recalled how, over 20 years ago, sponsors and promoters in Nollywood began labeling actors in ways that damaged many careers.

Some were unfairly described as “not good enough” or as people who “don’t sell films,” which eventually destroyed the future of promising talents.

He fears that this same problem is now repeating itself on digital platforms, especially YouTube, where only a small group of popular faces are being chosen, while genuine talents are being overlooked.

According to him, this trend is damaging the industry because many of these so-called “YouTube faces” are so busy that they block opportunities for new actors.

He wondered how Nollywood could continue creating fresh and exciting content if only the same few people are booked for long periods.

Kanayo insisted that he does not want producers to hire him simply because he is a well-known face, but because he can deliver excellent performances. For him, acting must remain about skill, not just appearance.

He concluded by saying that Nigeria often turns good ideas upside down, and this is now happening with YouTube content.

He urged the industry to focus on creating chances for fresh, talented actors who can bring real value to Nollywood.