Ekene Umenwa Says She Was Pressured to Abandon Her Faith for Fame in Nollywood
Nollywood actress Ekene Umenwa recently lifted the lid on a spiritual tug-of-war she encountered early in her acting journey. In a candid Instagram post, the actress shared that she was once urged to let go of her Christian beliefs if she truly wanted to thrive in the Nigerian movie industry.
According to her, the advice came from certain insiders who suggested she “drop Jesus and Mary” and go with the industry flow. Their not-so-subtle hint was that clinging to her faith might be the reason success was playing hard to get.
But instead of folding, Ekene ran the other way—straight back to her spiritual roots. Sharing a clip of herself vibing joyfully to the gospel anthem “No Turning Back,” she wrote, “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.’”
Her response? A firm, faith-fueled “Never.” Rather than yield to the pressure, she turned to prayer, seeking strength from the same source those folks suggested she abandon. “I ran to my father,” she said, referring to Jesus. “And He told me to move—forward ever.”
Now, years later, Ekene is grateful she stayed true to herself. She proudly noted that more and more people in Nollywood are finding the courage to publicly profess their Christian faith.
Best known for her breakout role in the 2013 movie Black Choir, Ekene has built an impressive filmography, with over 100 roles under her belt. Her story is a reminder that integrity and belief can coexist with ambition—even in an industry known for its unpredictable spotlight.