Nollywood actor Clinton Joshua has explained why he steers clear of movie roles that require on-screen kissing, saying the decision is a deliberate part of how he wants to be seen in the industry.
Speaking in a recent interview with TVC, the actor said he is mindful of being typecast, explaining that performing kissing scenes convincingly could lead directors to keep offering him similar roles. Joshua said he is intentional about the on-screen image he is building, choosing instead to lean on the emotional range that first got him noticed.
The Edo State-born actor broke through in 2023 with ‘When Angels Meet,’ a film that gained millions of views and established him as a name to watch in Nollywood’s fast-growing YouTube film space. He has since built a solid filmography of romantic dramas, including ‘Treasure in the Sky,’ ‘A Heart Divided,’ and ‘Forever With You,’ often playing charming, emotionally driven lead characters without relying on physical intimacy to carry those roles.
Joshua’s path into acting came through modelling before he transitioned into Theatre Arts and, eventually, film. He has previously addressed being labelled a ‘YouTube actor,’ pushing back on the idea that actors who built their audience online lack the skill or experience of their traditional-industry counterparts. According to him, the label sometimes gets used to diminish serious work, a perception he says does not reflect the effort many digital-first Nollywood actors put into their craft.
With a growing following across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, Joshua continues to expand his reach beyond acting through lifestyle and comedy content, while keeping his on-screen choices closely tied to the boundaries he has set for his career.
