Director Pink Opens Up on Why She Left Acting for Filmmaking
Renowned Nigerian music video director Praise Onyeagwalam, better known as Director Pink, has revealed how painful experiences in Nollywood pushed her to give up her dream of acting and embrace a career behind the camera.
In a candid interview with Hip TV, the award-winning filmmaker recounted how repeated humiliation and inappropriate treatment during auditions made her rethink her path in the entertainment industry.
“I wanted to be an actress, but the humiliation was too much,” she recalled. “Long queues, shady ‘come to this location’ calls — I said no. That’s when I decided to be my own boss.”
According to Director Pink, her transition to directing stemmed from frustration but eventually became one of the best decisions of her life. She said filmmaking gave her a sense of control, respect, and creative expression that acting never did.
“I realized I could still be part of the entertainment space without compromising my values,” she explained. “Directing gave me the freedom and respect that acting auditions never offered.”
Now one of Nigeria’s most sought-after music video directors, Director Pink has built a reputation for her colorful visuals and collaborations with top Afrobeats stars.
Reflecting on her journey, she encouraged aspiring creatives to persevere through challenges and trust the process. “Success doesn’t come overnight,” she advised. “Those at the top today went through years of hard work and rejection. You have to embrace delayed gratification to truly grow.”
