Humiliation, S3xual Exploitation Made Me Quit Acting – Director Pink

Award-winning Nigerian music video director and cinematographer, Praise Onyeagwalam, popularly known as Director Pink, has opened up on why she abandoned her dream of becoming an actress to pursue a career behind the camera.

Speaking in a recent interview with Hip TV, Director Pink revealed that she quit acting because of what she described as “humiliation and sexual exploitation” faced by many aspiring actors in the Nigerian film industry.

Recounting her early struggles, the director said she had initially aspired to build a career as an actress but became disillusioned by the harsh realities of audition culture and unprofessional advances from some male filmmakers.

“I wanted to be an actress but the humiliation was too much. Long queues, shady ‘come to this location’ calls. I said, ‘No.’ That’s when I chose to be my own boss,” she said.

According to her, standing in line for hours under the sun at auditions and receiving inappropriate invitations from industry insiders convinced her that the system was broken and exploitative.

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“The experiences I had back then made me realise that I’d rather create opportunities for myself than be subjected to that kind of treatment,” she added.

While explaining that her transition to cinematography was not without its difficulties, Director Pink said she is determined to make sacrifices to excel in her chosen field.

“Being a music video director is also challenging, but I’m willing to make sacrifices for the career,” she noted.

She said the creative industry demands resilience, professionalism, and patience — qualities that have helped her build a name for herself in a male-dominated sector.

Director Pink also used the platform to encourage young creatives who aspire to become successful music video directors, urging them to be patient and embrace delayed gratification.

“Those at the top today didn’t get there overnight. It took them years of consistency and sacrifice. So, be patient, stay focused, and keep improving your craft,” she advised.

The filmmaker, who has directed several high-profile music videos across Nigeria’s entertainment scene, is widely regarded as one of the leading female cinematographers in the country.