Nollywood actress Ekene Umenwa has stirred conversations online after opening up about a deep personal encounter she faced at the start of her acting career. In a powerful Instagram post on Wednesday, the popular actress revealed that she was once pressured by a “cabal” in the Nigerian movie industry to renounce her Christian faith in exchange for fame and success.
Umenwa, known for her strong faith and vibrant personality, didn’t hold back as she recounted the moment she was asked to make the ultimate compromise, letting go of her spiritual convictions in order to “move with the flow” in Nollywood.
“When I came to Nollywood many years ago with my Jesus, I was told by some folks to drop Jesus & Mary to move with the flow so that I can make it. TheY said Ekene this game no be Jesus Jesus oo,” she wrote.
Rather than bend to the pressure, the actress said she turned to her faith for strength. “I was like chimo, is that so? Never. I ran to my father, and Jesus told me to move, ahead ahead,” she continued in the post, which was accompanied by a video of her dancing joyfully to the popular gospel anthem ‘No Turning Back’.
Her story has since struck a chord with fans and fellow believers, many of whom applauded her for standing firm in her beliefs despite the daunting challenges she faced.
“I thank God today that many people have joined me to proclaimed Jesus in Nollywood,” she added, celebrating how her resilience has inspired others in the industry to boldly embrace their faith.
Ekene Umenwa rose to prominence with her role in the 2013 film Black Choir and has since featured in over a hundred movies. Her recent revelation offers a rare glimpse into the spiritual and moral struggles many aspiring actors may silently endure in the quest for success.
As conversations around faith and fame in Nollywood continue, Umenwa’s story serves as a testament to unwavering belief in the face of pressure, and a call for integrity in an industry often shrouded in unspoken expectations.
