It Brought Lots Of Comparisons– Stella Damasus Opens Up On Nollywood Rivalry

Veteran Nollywood actress Stella Damasus has reflected on her early years in the Nigerian film industry and the intense comparisons that followed her rise alongside fellow actresses Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Genevieve Nnaji.

Damasus made the revelation during an interview with Pulse TV, recalling a period when the three actresses were widely regarded as Nollywood’s “Big Three” because of their talent, individuality and commitment to their craft.

According to the actress, she, Omotola and Genevieve built their careers by remaining authentic rather than attempting to imitate one another or seeking fame and financial rewards.

She explained that their rise to prominence occurred before social media became a major force in the entertainment industry, meaning they had limited ways of measuring their popularity or understanding how far their careers could go.

Damasus noted that the emergence of three young, talented and determined actresses naturally generated comparisons among fans, with audiences often having different preferences for their favourite star.

She said the comparisons created an environment where each actress felt the need to continually demonstrate her abilities and avoid being perceived as the weakest among the trio.

Damasus recalled that the three actresses approached their work with determination and remained committed to establishing individual identities in the industry.

She said, “They called us the Big Three, Omotola, Stella and Genevieve. We were very authentic; we weren’t trying to be other people, copy other people, or be who we aren’t.”

The actress added that without social media at the time, their understanding of their fame was largely based on seeing themselves on movie posters and being recognised by members of the public.

She further explained that the talent and determination displayed by the three actresses attracted significant attention and contributed to the comparisons among them, particularly as fans developed different preferences.

Damasus’ reflection offers insight into an earlier era of Nollywood, when leading actresses built their reputations primarily through their performances and public recognition rather than the influence of social media.