By Rita Okoye
In an industry where controversies often steal the spotlight as much as the performances, Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Ruth Kadiri stands out as an exception. She is calm, collected, and largely scandal-free.
With over a decade in the film industry and an impressive portfolio of roles and productions to her name, Ruth has built not only a brand but also a reputation of quiet professionalism and emotional maturity.
In an encounter with Saturday Sun, the mother of two reveals how she manages to stay away from scandal.
She said: “The word scandal is relative. What is called a scandal to one person might mean absolutely nothing to another person. I wouldn’t say I’ve been without a scandal, I’ll just say that some of the things that might have negatively affected a lot of other people, I have been able to manage well to the point where it didn’t look like a scandal.”
Beyond the surface glamour, Nollywood can be a pressure cooker of egos, disappointments, and shifting loyalties. However, for Ruth Kadiri, forgiveness is her key to growth.
“Nollywood is a place where close friends constantly betray you, fall short of your expectations, and do things you didn’t expect. I told myself that I wasn’t going to carry all the unhealthy burdens that others carry. If I feel uncomfortable about something, I say it. If you offend me, I will say it. I’m always able to articulate my feelings and I forgive. I just have to let it go for my sake. Please, carry your wahala and go,” she stated. As a filmmaker, Kadiri’s works consistently explore themes of family, love, betrayal, and redemption. She attributes this focus to the deep-rooted cultural values that define Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a family-oriented country. We build our creativity around the things we see and experience. Even if things change in the future and Nigerian movies take a different direction, there will always be a streak of family in our stories,” she added.
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