Despite her impressive acting skills that have captivated Nollywood audiences in blockbuster films, fast-rising actress Genoveva Umeh has stated that she does not consider herself a role model. She expressed a desire to avoid being influenced by public expectations when making decisions about her life and career. Umeh, who is best known for her roles as Timeyin in the movie “Blood Sisters” and Zina in the Netflix series “Far from Home,” shared her thoughts in an exclusive interview with Midweek Entertainment. She emphasized her intention to remain true to herself and focus on her work without the pressures of fame.
Umeh explained, “I think my only challenge is I still want to be myself, I still want to do great work, and I don’t want to get caught up in the fame. Those are the things I want to focus on.” She acknowledged that while many people find inspiration in her work, she does not see herself as a role model. “I’m just someone who cares about her work, and if people are inspired by that, that’s great. But I don’t want people to attach themselves to everything I do or hold me accountable for certain decisions that I make. I want to live free, I want to be myself, and I still want to do great work without the pressure of people’s expectations.”
Umeh chose acting as her career path due to her passion for the profession, although she also obtained a law degree as a backup plan. She reflected on her early career, stating, “My career has only just started, and I’m grateful for how versatile the roles that I’ve played are, especially on huge platforms. Any role that allows me to transform, I would obviously do well. I love to challenge myself. I don’t like to take on the same role twice; every character is kind of different.”
Her passion for acting was undeniable, as she described it as something she could not shake off. “Essentially, I realized that it was something that made me the happiest,” she said. Initially, she thought of acting as a hobby, but she soon recognized her talent and deep passion for it. Regarding her law degree, Umeh explained, “I wanted it as a backup because, at the end of the day, I’m a first-generation immigrant, and I understand how hard my parents worked to get me to the United Kingdom. I didn’t want to let them down because that would be too selfish.”
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