Known by her stage name Bambam from Big Brother Naija and her acting career, Bamike Olawunmi has spoken out against the pervasive problem of “sex for roles” in the Nigerian film industry, calling it a “scam” that takes advantage of aspiring actresses.
Bambam shared her personal story with a producer who offered her a cameo role but also gave her the keys to his hotel room in a recent episode of the Secrets Behind the Scenes podcast. This disturbing encounter shed light on the coercion and exploitation faced by young actresses in the industry.
Aspiring actresses are advised not to fall for the deceptive practice of “sex for roles” by Bambam, who also brought attention to the fact that big-screen roles are frequently broken after actors give in to peer pressure and perform sexual acts with directors.
In addition to revealing that the financial compensation offered for such roles is frequently minimal, ranging from N50,000 to N100,000, far from commensurate with the sacrifices made, the reality star-turned-actress urged aspiring talents not to be swayed by false promises.
Bambam’s open disclosures act as a wake-up call for the entertainment industry, causing a reexamination of moral guidelines and the way actors and actresses are treated. It is clear from her bravery in speaking out against this exploitative practice that systemic changes are required to guarantee a more secure and fair working environment for all Nollywood talent.
