I faced discrimination in Nollywood for being an albino – Damilola Ogunsi

• Damilola Ogunsi spoke to the German publication about a director who once told him to gave up acting because of his albinism.
• He speaks on how his his albinism made him different and special, giving him room in the Nollywood film industry.

Nigerian actor, Damilola Ogunsi, also known as Gold Fish, recently spoke out about his personal experiences as an albino working in the movie industry.

in a recent interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), Ogunsi revealed that he had encountered discrimination from a director who questioned his choice to pursue acting due to his albinism.

“I had a director who actually looked me in the face and said, ‘Why do you want to be in the industry, do you see any Albino in the industry? Why do you want to be an actor? Can you see anybody with albinism? It is not something you should do.’ But it has always been my dream, something I have always wanted to do since I was a little boy,” Ogunsi recounted.

Damilola Ogunsi stated that Despite facing such challenges, he believes that his uniqueness as an albino has given him a special place in the competitive Nollywood industry.

“My uniqueness as an albino is what makes me special, so if there is no one in the industry like that, that means that is a niche,” Ogunsi expressed.

He speaks on understanding the importance of representation and inclusion in storytelling through acting.

“Every time I appear in a film, there is a way my presence colours the film. So now we begin to understand the necessity for inclusion. The fact that this guy is in a film, tells the story in a particular way,” Ogunsi emphasized.

Damilola Ogunsi shares hope to inspire others with albinism who aspire to pursue a career in acting, encouraging them to follow their dreams and defy stereotypes.

“Albinos come to me and say they want to be actors, and I tell them, ‘Go for it. Make it happen. Go and do it,” he stated.