Okechukwu Chidinma Tracy, also known as Tracy Edwin, a Nollywood actress recently appointed as the Actors Guild of Nigeria’s Special Adviser on Gender Equality, shared her experiences regarding sexual harassment within the industry. Contrary to common narratives, Tracy revealed that she has never encountered instances of sexual harassment from her colleagues in Nollywood.
According to The Sun, while explaining her resilience against such experiences, Tracy attributed her avoidance of victimization to a lack of desperation for roles. She disclosed that despite receiving job offers, she maintained a selective approach and was not always available for work. Reflecting on her early days in the industry in 2019, Tracy acknowledged her attractiveness to producers but emphasized her disinterest in fully committing to acting at the time.
Tracy explained on her decision to step back from acting due to personal reasons, including family commitments and her relationship with her boyfriend. Despite initially having the physical attributes sought after by producers, Tracy chose to prioritize other aspects of her life over her acting career. She recounted her hiatus from the industry, lasting six years, during which she attempted to adapt without pursuing acting.
However, Tracy ultimately found the pull of the industry too strong to resist, leading her to make a return. Reflecting on her journey, Tracy highlighted the support she received from those around her in navigating her career path. Despite her initial ambivalence towards acting, Tracy’s passion eventually drew her back, prompting her to reengage with the Nollywood scene.
Hear her:
“I never fell victim (of sexual harassment) because I wasn’t desperate. Even when they called me for jobs then, I wasn’t always available. When I started acting in 2019, I used to be a very sexy small girl; I had all the features producers needed but I didn’t take Nollywood serious. I had people around me who were assisting me get all things right. Because of family and relationship with my boyfriend, I left the industry. I tried to cope for six years without acting, it was impossible, so I returned.”