Nollywood actress Toluwani George has spoken candidly about battling imposter syndrome after entering the film industry without a formal theatre background.
In an interview with TheCable Lifestyle, the actress revealed that her journey into acting was largely unplanned and began during the COVID-19 lockdown when she started creating short videos on TikTok.
“It was very circumstantial for me. It wasn’t deliberate. I think it started during COVID… the whole world was on hold… So, I had started just doing these videos on TikTok,” she said.
According to Toluwani, her transition into Nollywood happened unexpectedly after a producer noticed her online content and invited her to audition for a church drama production. Despite having no acting experience, she was later offered a role in a feature film.
“I am like, you think I can do it with no acting experience? He’s like, yeah, I think you can do it. And so he gave me my first, like, actual feature film. And I did it,” she recalled.
“I Felt I Had to Prove Myself”
Toluwani admitted that landing roles so quickly came with internal pressure, especially because she did not come through the traditional theatre route.
“So I used to have imposter syndrome, especially because I didn’t have a theatre background,” she said.
She added that she also struggled with assumptions that she was cast solely because of her looks.
“For the longest, I struggled with that… Now I have to show that I’m not just a pretty face,” she explained.
Rising Career and Notable Roles
Her career has since gained momentum, with appearances on major streaming platforms. She featured in the Showmax series Wura, where she played the character Eve.
Toluwani also appeared in Love and New Notes alongside actor Timini Egbuson, and has taken part in projects distributed on Netflix and Prime Video.
She noted that several new projects she has worked on are yet to be released.
Dealing With Online Negativity
To protect her mental health, the actress said she limits her exposure to online negativity.
She revealed that she stays off X (formerly Twitter) and blocks trolls whenever necessary, choosing instead to focus on her craft and personal growth.
Toluwani’s story adds to growing conversations around unconventional career paths in Nollywood and the pressure young actors face to constantly justify their place in the industry.
