Nigerian music video director Praise Onyeagwalam, popularly known as Director Pink, has opened up about a painful part of her career journey. In a recent interview with Hip TV, the award-winning cinematographer revealed that she gave up on acting because of the humiliation and sexual exploitation she faced while trying to break into Nollywood.
Director Pink explained that when she first set out to become an actress, the industry’s gatekeeping made it very hard to grow. She recalled standing in long queues at auditions, only to receive shady calls from male filmmakers. Many of them tried to lure her to questionable locations, promising her acting roles that were never real. These experiences made it clear to her that acting was not a safe or fair path.
“I wanted to be an actress but the humiliation was too much. Long queues, shady ‘come to this location’ calls. I said no. That’s when I chose to be my own boss,” she said.
Her choice to leave acting marked the start of a new chapter. Director Pink switched to cinematography and music video directing, where she has earned widespread recognition. She admitted that the work also comes with challenges, but she prefers building her career on her own terms rather than compromising her dignity.
She also shared advice for young creatives. Director Pink urged upcoming music video directors to be patient and stay focused. She reminded them that success in the industry takes time and consistency.
Today, she stands as one of the few female music video directors making waves in Nigeria. Her story shows strength and resilience. It also highlights the need to create safer spaces where women can thrive without fear or exploitation.
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