Gen Z Actors think they are hollywood Standard-Chinedu Ikedieze
The Gen Z Vs millennials debate has found its way to Nollywood!
Old Nollywood vs. New Nollywood is a social media term that enthusiastic Gen Z actors invented in an effort to establish their supremacy, according to veteran Nigerian actor Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki.
Gen Z actors, according to him, are always attempting to project an image of themselves as “the best” and “Hollywood standard.”
“There’s this thing called Old Nollywood and New Nollywood,” actor Ikedieze stated in a recent TeaTalk podcast episode, which was hosted by actress Toke Makinwa. He described it as a ridiculous thing to do!
He said:
“I think the Gen Zs in Nollywood are trying to make it look like, ‘Oh! We’re the latest. We’re the Hollywood standards. We’re the best. We know it all.”
However, comedian Bovi, who was also a guest on the podcast, didn’t think the same way. Bovi who has also been in the industry for decades now has a slightly different approach to the matter.
He said:
“It’s not even just them [Gen Z]. Let me tell you one thing that is common. I think it’s general in Nigeria but let me speak on the entertainment industry. Those before tend to look down on newcomers. They would be like, ‘Who’s this? Me, I’ve been in this business. I’m an aunty. She just came and said hi. Who’s this guy? He can’t behave himself. Does he know how long you’ve been doing it?’
He believes that some of the veterans sometimes are snubs, and don’t make it easy for the newcomers or the Gen Z as they are called. He also chipped in that the newcomers should be treated with grace and with the right treatment there will be no disagreements of that sort in the industry
“The older actors have been doing that. The reason many of us are relating with people like you [Ikedieze] is because when we came into the industry, you didn’t snub us. But the a**holes that are out there… We know them. And now they act all cool.
Lastly he added that:
“So, it’s not just a Gen Z thing, the Old Nollywood, there are many of them who have seniority complexes,”
Nollywood is believed to be a home for all, it doesn’t matter the era be it the millennials or the Gen X or even the Gen Z. It’s a learning ground for all!
