Kanayo O. Kanayo Slams YouTube Casting Trend, Pledges to Spotlight New Nollywood Talents

|By Oko-Echem Agnes

Veteran Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, has raised alarm over what he called a “disturbing trend” in Nigeria’s film industry, warning that digital platforms like YouTube are killing genuine talent by prioritizing looks and popularity over acting skill.

In a video shared on his Instagram page on Monday, the 62-year-old screen legend vowed to chart a new course by promoting fresh, lesser-known actors on his YouTube channel, Kanayo O. Kanayo TV.

“Movie making is not about having a fine face, it’s about being a good actor, a good performer,” Kanayo declared. “So, with or without a fine face, that’s what I’ve decided to do. If you don’t like it, well, that’s quite unfortunate.”

The actor, whose breakout role in the 1992 classic Living in Bondage marked the dawn of modern Nollywood, likened the current trend to the industry’s early days when sponsors sidelined promising talents deemed “unmarketable.” According to him, the careers of many gifted actors were abruptly cut short by such branding.

Kanayo warned that the same practice is resurfacing on YouTube, where a handful of familiar faces now dominate productions while emerging talents struggle for space. “Some of these guys will tell you they are not free from September 2025 till August 2026. How then do we sustain the content you watch? How do we create magic? How do we encourage new actors to come into the business?” he asked.

Rejecting the idea of being cast solely because of his popularity, the actor insisted he wants to be called for roles based on his craft. He urged producers and viewers alike to value performance over hype and to open the door for new talent.

“If you’re a new face, come on, let’s do magic on Kanayo O. Kanayo TV on YouTube. Let’s create stories with people who can deliver, who can act,” he appealed.

Though he expressed frustration with what he described as Nigeria’s tendency to “somersault” when it comes to industry trends, Kanayo remained optimistic that the obsession with so-called “YouTube faces” will eventually fade. “This too shall pass,” he concluded.