“31 years in Nollywood, I never slept with any producer or director” – Veteran Actress Thelma Chukwunwem

Nollywood actress, voice-over artist, and preacher Thelma Chukwunwem says no producer or director can ever claim they slept with her — even after 31 years in the industry.

According to Vanguard, speaking in a recent interview, Thelma revealed she faced heavy pressure and sexual advances early in her career but never compromised.

Her words: words: “I started out as a pretty young lady in Nollywood. I shot my first movie when I was 20. Were there temptations? Yes, there were temptations. But for me, maybe it was because of the way I was raised, the kind of mindset I had, and the kind of schools I attended. I had cases when I was coming up in the industry, where a lot of directors and producers made passes at me. I was very young and also very pretty. I stood my ground. I remember there was this particular director who invited me to his office after an audition and started making advances at me. I told him if he thought I must get down with him before giving me the role, he might as well keep his script. People then saw me as an arrogant person, but I wasn’t. This is my 31 years in Nollywood, I have never had anything to do with a director or producer.

She shared how one director once warned her she wouldn’t go far if she didn’t play along, but she told him, “I’ll go far by God’s grace.”

Decades later, she ran into that same director at a premiere. His words? “Stubborn girl.”

Her response? “Years have passed. God has helped me.”

Thelma credits her strong upbringing, discipline, and faith for her staying power in Nollywood.