Legendary actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has raised alarms about the return of bias against talented actors in the entertainment industry.
He took to Instagram to highlight that some sponsors are once again valuing popularity over skill, limiting opportunities for actors who may not fit the conventional “marketable” image.
According to Kanayo, this pattern harms the industry’s growth and creative development, as it sidelines the very talent that fuels innovation and excellence.
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Kanayo stated: “I have decided to take my destiny into my own hands as it pertains to my channel on YouTube. I have decided to tell a good story. It doesn’t have to be with a fine face. Movie-making is not about being a fine face. It’s about being a good actor, a good performer. If you don’t like it, that’s unfortunate.
“What happened years ago, when some sponsors killed the careers of talented actors whom they believed could not sell films, is beginning to rear its ugly head. The acclaimed YouTube faces are beginning to bring up the same thing: killing the talent in the industry.
“Some of these guys will tell you they are not free from September 2025 till August 2026. How do we sustain the content of what you watch? How then do we create magic? How do we create stories or encourage new actors to come into the business if it’s only the self-acclaimed faces on YouTube? It’s not good for the industry.”
He encouraged emerging actors to join him on his YouTube channel, with the goal of creating magic and promoting fresh, innovative storytelling.