Sex-for-Roles Shouldn’t Be An Option For Any Aspiring Actress ––Kehinde Adebowale

Delectable actress and entrepreneur, Kehinde Adebowale has condemned the ignoble act of sex-for-roles in the Nigerian movie industry.

According to the fast-rising actress popularly known as MassKenny D, the inappropriate act of sex-for-role alongside bullying by senior colleagues, are two vices that must be checked for Nollywood to develop and grow.

“I have never liked the feeling of being bullied. This is something almost every last child can relate with. For this reason, I have a strong aversion to bullying. So, I try not to overstep my boundaries so as not to create issues with senior colleagues, because I like to fight for what’s right and just,” she explained.

Shedding more light on bullying, MassKenny D said: “There was a time I was addressed rudely by someone I couldn’t recognise while at a film location, but I didn’t respond in the same manner I was treated. I was quite calm about it, not until one of our coordinators heard about it and had to reprimand the fellow.”

The Accounting graduate from Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke reeled out the challenges she faced while starting out, as well as how she remained unshaken because of her passion for acting.

“People have misconception that because you appear on their screen, you must be extremely rich and comfortable. But one major challenge I have is not being as free as I would have, bearing in mind that some people might recognise me,” she noted.

Recalling how she got into the world of make believe, the screen diva stated: “Right from when I was in primary school, I always enjoyed performing with the Drama and Cultural Group, and this continued even in secondary school. After my O’level, I met with Aunty Laide Bakare who I looked up to while growing up. I used to call her Aunty Idowu. I told her about my passion to do what she does and she started taking me along to film locations.”

To MassKenny D, working with Laide Bakare was fun, and it fueled her passion to act more, even without any formal training at any acting academy.

“When I shared my desire to be trained formally with Aunty Laide, she took me to the late Dejo Tunfulu, who had an Academy, and that helped me greatly.”

MassKenny D has featured in dozens of movies including Owo Ma Go, Inu Ji, Omoge Jemila, Ago Kan Oru, Omo Meji, Temilade Oniyepe, Secretary, Iwa, Akuko Oru, Itele, Oga Google, Kakaki, and Jomiloju.

She’s currently working on her own production titled, Okinni, which would be released soon.