The glamour of the entertainment industry often tells only one side of the story. Behind the cameras, movie sets and performances that keep audiences entertained are people whose experiences rarely receive the same attention as the finished productions.
For some, the passion for their craft comes with difficult choices, uncomfortable experiences and situations they would rather not speak about publicly. While some consider these challenges part of the demands of the profession, others believe there is a limit to what anyone should be expected to endure in the name of work.
Recently, Nollywood actress Scarlet Gomez added her voice to a conversation that continues to raise important questions about the treatment of people in the film industry. Her words have brought attention to issues that extend beyond what viewers see on their screens.
1. Exploitation and Exhausting Working Hours on Nollywood Sets
One of the major concerns raised by Scarlet Gomez in her Instagram post on Thursday, November 12, 2026, was the demanding working schedule actors, directors and other production crew members allegedly experience on movie sets.
According to the actress, some creatives work from morning until midnight, with filming sometimes extending until 6 a.m. However, rather than getting enough time to rest, they are expected to return to work by 10 or 11 a.m. and continue as though they had not spent the previous night working.
She described the situation as one in which workers barely get enough sleep but are still expected to deliver their best. She wrote:
“Behind the glamour of Nollywood is a reality many ppl never see; actors, directors & crew work tirelessly from morning till midnight (sometimes even till 6 a.m) only to be expected back by 10/11 a.m to continue like they haven’t worked all night, barely getting any sleep.”
Her complaint raises questions about the balance between production schedules and the physical well-being of the people responsible for bringing films to life. While long hours may sometimes be required during filming, the concern is whether workers are given enough time to recover before being expected to resume their duties.
2. Poor Welfare, Inadequate Accommodation and Health Risks
Beyond the exhausting schedules, Scarlet also highlighted what she described as poor welfare provisions on some Nollywood productions. The actress alleged that some actors and crew members do not receive proper meals, decent accommodation or even safe places to sleep while working.
She further noted that some creatives fall sick on set and risk their lives in the course of their jobs, yet the production is expected to continue because “the show must go on.”
These concerns point to a wider issue about the responsibilities of production companies towards the people they employ. For Scarlet, providing basic necessities should not be treated as an unnecessary expense or a special favour to workers.
The fact that someone is passionate about acting, directing, cinematography or any other aspect of filmmaking does not mean they should have to compromise their health and safety to remain in the industry.
Her argument also draws attention to the less visible members of film productions. While actors may be the faces audiences recognise, several other professionals work behind the scenes and equally deserve decent working conditions.
3. Unpaid Salaries and the Financial Struggles of Creatives
Another major issue Scarlet addressed was delayed payment. According to her, some creatives work on productions, fulfil their responsibilities and still have to wait for months before receiving their salaries. This becomes particularly troubling when considered alongside her concerns about poor welfare and exhausting working hours.
For people who depend on their professional earnings to pay bills, care for their families and meet other responsibilities, delayed salaries can create serious financial difficulties.
Scarlet also questioned the difference between the financial success enjoyed by some people in the industry and the struggles of the creatives whose labour contributes to that success.
She observed that some individuals are buying properties from the work of creatives who, in some cases, cannot afford to take care of themselves when they fall sick. “I understand survival and bills, but when does protecting yourself become a problem?” she asked.
She also questioned whether those who came before the current generation of actors, particularly those who kept quiet, endured difficult conditions and avoided challenging the system, received anything meaningful in return.
In her words, many are still in the same position, only older and more exhausted. Her observation raises an important question about the long-term value of enduring poor working conditions without demanding improvements.
4. Intimidation, Blacklisting and Punishment for Speaking Up
Perhaps one of the strongest parts of Scarlet’s statement was her description of what allegedly happens when creatives complain about their working conditions.
According to the actress, asking for fair pay, adequate rest or basic welfare can quickly earn someone negative labels such as a diva, difficult or unprofessional. She explained that some workers are threatened with losing future opportunities, with the warning that they may not be considered for another production if they complain.
“And the moment you complain, you hear ‘I won’t call you for my next job’. So ppl keep quiet,” she wrote.
Scarlet also alleged that those who question scripts or raise concerns about how productions are being managed can suddenly become the problem. She claimed that some creatives are blacklisted, bullied or lied about simply for expressing dissatisfaction.
This creates a situation in which workers may choose to endure uncomfortable conditions rather than risk losing future jobs.
For actors and other professionals whose careers depend heavily on recommendations, industry relationships and repeated employment opportunities, the possibility of being excluded from productions can be a serious concern.
Scarlet’s comments therefore raise questions about whether creatives can freely express concerns about their working conditions without putting their careers at risk.
5. Colleagues Betraying One Another and Undercutting Rates
Scarlet did not direct all her criticism at people in positions of authority. She also addressed what she described as a lack of solidarity among creatives. According to her, some colleagues who privately complain about similar experiences eventually turn against the person speaking publicly, simply to appear loyal or protect their own chances of securing jobs.
She also criticised creatives who secretly reduce their professional rates to get work, despite knowing that such decisions can affect others in the industry. The issue of undercutting is particularly important because it can create pressure on other professionals to accept lower payments to remain competitive.
Rather than collectively pushing for fair remuneration, workers may find themselves competing against one another, even when they share similar concerns. Scarlet urged creatives to stop throwing colleagues under the bus for speaking up and to stop undermining one another. “Stop undercutting one another. Stop normalising exploitation. Stand together and demand better,” she appealed.
Her message suggests that improving conditions in the industry requires more than demanding accountability from producers. It also requires creatives to support one another rather than contribute to the same problems they privately complain about.
6. Scarlet Gomez Refuses to Let Nollywood Change Her Character
Despite the experiences and concerns she highlighted, Scarlet made it clear that she does not intend to allow the industry’s challenges to change who she is.
She admitted that she now understands why some actors who were once warm and friendly become more guarded and strict over time. However, she maintained that she would rather remain kind, respectful and honest about her experiences. “I’ll remain kind, respectful and speak my truth. I won’t kiss a** or put any human being in God’s place,” she declared.
The actress also expressed her belief that everyone has an orí, a chi and a destiny, insisting that nobody can cancel what God has written for another person. She added that God sees the unpaid wages, tears and injustices experienced by creatives, while warning that people would eventually face the consequences of how they treat others.
Her comments revealed a determination to maintain her values despite the difficulties she believes exist within the industry.
7. Her Appreciation for Producers Who Treat Creatives Fairly
Although much of Scarlet’s post focused on the problems she believes need to be addressed, she also acknowledged that not every producer treats workers poorly.
The actress specifically appreciated producers who make efforts to pay fairly, provide decent welfare and treat people with dignity. She stressed that such treatment should be considered a basic right rather than a favour.
This distinction is important because her criticism was not directed at every producer or production outfit in Nollywood. Rather, she called attention to practices she believes should no longer be normalised. She also reminded people in positions of authority that actors and crew members have lives outside the film set. “The film ends, the cameras stop rolling, but ppl still have to live with how you treated them,” she wrote.
In her Instagram caption accompanying the statement, Scarlet further explained her position, writing: “My opinion. Every masterpiece has its price, but no work of art should demand that its creators become the sacrifice.”
Conclusion
For an industry built on creativity, passion and the ability to tell stories, the experiences of the people behind those stories remain an important part of the conversation.
The cameras may capture the performances, but they rarely capture everything that happens before the final scene is delivered.
And perhaps, as Scarlet’s words suggest, some conversations are long overdue. The question is whether those who have the power to make a difference are willing to listen.
