Nana Adjoa Lovia Speaks Against Sex-For-Roles Pressure

Actress and producer Nana Adjoa Lovia has spoken about what she describes as sexual pressure faced by aspiring actresses seeking opportunities in the film industry.

Speaking on the Big Convo segment of Culture Daily on 3Music TV and Pluzz 89.9FM, Lovia said she had personally experienced an approach from a film producer while trying to secure acting roles in Nigeria.

She said she was given scripts for several roles but was later asked to spend the night at a hotel.

According to Lovia, the producer subsequently sent her messages that made a sexual proposition.

“I still have the messages right on my phone,” she said.

Lovia said she rejected the proposition because she wanted to be considered for acting opportunities based on her ability rather than a sexual relationship.

She said she eventually received only one of the several roles she had initially been given, while other opportunities were offered to someone else.

Lovia said the experience strengthened her belief that young actresses should not feel compelled to exchange sex for acting opportunities.

“As a woman, as a young lady watching me, you don’t have to go have sex with a director, with a producer, with whoever just to have a role,” she said.

She also said she understood why some young women might feel pressured to accept such demands, particularly when they believe doing so could help them advance their careers.

Lovia, however, said she had chosen to rely on her talent and continue building her career through her own productions.

“I know what I have in me. I know I’m talented. I know I can do it. I don’t need you to sleep with me,” she said.

Lovia said she has since focused on producing films and creating opportunities for herself instead of waiting for roles from established industry figures.

She urged young actresses to recognise their abilities and avoid situations in which sexual demands are presented as a condition for professional opportunities.