Persistence saved my acting career — Bryan Okoye

actor, Bryan Okoye, has reflected on his journey in the film industry, revealing how years of rejection, self-doubt and uncertainty nearly pushed him away from acting before persistence eventually shaped his rise in Nollywood.

Speaking in an interview with Sunday Scoop, Okoye recounted one of the most painful moments of his early career when a notable casting director allegedly told him acting was not for him.

“One particular rejection hit hard because I was told at an audition seven years ago that acting wasn’t for me and that I should stick to translating French or doing something else,” he said.

According to him, the experience temporarily shattered his confidence because the criticism came from someone he admired deeply.

“At that point, it wasn’t just a ‘no’ to the job; it felt like a ‘no’ to my belief in myself. I almost gave up,” he added.

The actor, however, said passion for the craft and mental resilience kept him going despite years of silence after auditions, financial instability and slow career growth.

“People see the results, but they don’t see the long stretches of uncertainty, the waiting, the times where I could go months without one single gig,” he said.

Okoye noted that many people only recently discovered his work, unaware of the years he spent preparing quietly behind the scenes.

“Some people are just seeing my recent work and saying things like, ‘Who’s this new guy?’ But I’ve been here for a long time, preparing quietly for this moment,” he said.

Speaking on typecasting in Nollywood, the actor admitted that appearance, accent and perceived aura can sometimes limit opportunities in the industry.

“Nollywood, like many industries, can be quick to categorise. Your look, your voice, your energy can become both an advantage and a limitation,” he explained.

Rather than resist such labels emotionally, Okoye said he chooses to challenge them through versatility and his performance range.

“My goal is not to escape the box immediately, but to expand it until it breaks,” he said.

He also praised casting directors and producers who entrusted him with unconventional roles, particularly his role in Etiti, where he played a mad man who eventually becomes king.

“Roles like that bring out the best in me, and they remind people, including myself, why I chose acting in the first place,” he said.

The actor also described dating as more difficult in the entertainment industry because fame often complicates trust and privacy.

“People project assumptions onto you about your lifestyle and intentions. Trust becomes a bigger conversation,” he said.