Nollywood star Tonto Dikeh has said she no longer considers herself an actress, making it clear that acting was only a brief phase in her life and not her true calling.
Tonto made this known while responding to a fan who commented on her Instagram post, expressing excitement about the possibility of her releasing a new movie.
The fan had written, “Can’t wait for you to release movies that would change the trajectory of the industry and bring massive revival to all.”
In her reply, Tonto firmly dismissed the assumption, stating, “I acted for only 4 years. I am not an actress.”
She went further to explain that although she excelled during her time in Nollywood, she never had a deep emotional attachment to acting, contrary to public perception.
“Yes, I was amazing while I was good at it, I never loved it the way people assumed,” she wrote. “Deep down, I always knew God placed me there for a reason. Now I understand. He was positioning me, giving me a global voice ahead of my true assignment.”
Her remarks align with statements she has made in the past about distancing herself from Nollywood.
In 2022, Tonto disclosed during an interview with BBC News Pidgin that she had effectively quit acting and had no plans to return, especially after venturing into politics as a deputy governorship candidate in Rivers State under the African Democratic Congress.
According to her, acting was only a small chapter in her journey. While she maintains respect for the film industry, she no longer sees it as part of her long-term purpose.
Tonto began her acting career in the mid-2000s, starring in popular films such as Missing Rib and Games Fools Play. Over the years, she expanded into music, television, activism, and politics, remaining a prominent public figure despite staying off movie sets.
She continues to engage actively with her fans online and has shifted her focus to projects beyond film, reinforcing her stance that Nollywood is behind her.
