Sexual harassment is real in Nollywood -Cynthia Agholor

Cynthia Agholor has one of the best shapes and looks in Nollywood.
This sexy actress was once crowned Miss Lagos in 2000. She joined the film industry in 1995 through a flick by Chico Ejiro, entitled 'Hard Beat'. She also starred as a youngster in the now rested but popular sitcom, 'Tales by Moonlight' on national television.


Unlike many of her colleagues, Cynthia admits that she suffered a lot of sexual harassment in the industry, but she waded through it all to become one of the most celebrated Nollywood actresses. AJIBADE ALABI met the Delta State-born actress and took her up on her love life, childhood and career. Excerpts:  

When did you start acting? I started my acting carrier in 1994 with a sitcom on the Nigerian Television Authority, but I actually joined Nollywood in 1995. My first film was Hard Beat by Chico Ejiro. Later, I starred in Silent Night in 1998. However, my first major role was in 1997 in a film entitled Year 2000 by Lancelot Imasuen. I have acted in many other films like The Closet, The World Behind, Pillage Toasters, My Sisters, My Child and many more.  

But you have not been acting lately. Are you contemplating dumping acting for another job? No, not at all. I am not dumping acting for any other job. This is a job I have been doing for close to two decades and I am not ready to dump it for another job. It is a job I enjoy. The reason I have not been around for sometime is that I went to upgrade myself academically. So, I have to temporarily abandon acting for schooling.  

Didn't movie producers persuade you to still act while you were away? Many producers give me scripts whenever I am at home for holiday, but acting is not a thing one can do on part-time basis. It needs a lot of concentration. That is why I have to reject some of the scripts and concentrate on my studies. Today, I never regret my action. Now that you have returned, do you feel threatened by the influx of young, beautiful and sexy actresses dominating the scene now?


I am never threatened by them; rather, I am happy for them. When I came back, I met people whom I was bigger than before I left the industry to further my studies. All the same, I know I have the talent; I had to prove myself once again that I am a good actress. I am a born actress.  

Can you tell us one actress you acted with that you have fond memories of? Working with Regina Askia in Vulgar still remains memorable to me.  

Who are your role models in the industry? Joke Silva and Liz Benson.  

What would you say stands you out among your colleagues? My own kind of acting stands me out. I try to create a style of my own. I don't imitate.  

Do you consider yourself as having any physical asset? I have a very sexy shape that is uncommon in the industry. My boobs also stand me out; they are sexy and inviting.  

Who is that lucky man in your life? I don't talk about my love life on pages of newspapers or magazines.  

Your fans would be interested in knowing who has stolen the heart of their favorite actress. They will get to know that when it is time.  

Does that mean somebody is already on the line? I never said that; don't put words into my mouth.  

It appears you've had a bitter experience before. Not actually. Has love been fair to you? Love has not been fair to me.  

The broken relationship you had, did you... (Cuts in)I never told you I had a broken or failed relationship; all what I am saying is that love has not been fair to me. It depends on how you want to look at the word 'fair'. I have my reason to say that love has not been fair to me.  

Does that mean you are not going to settle down in the future? Who will not? Definitely I will. When I am ready, I will get married but for now, I am not ready.

 What kind of man would that be? My man must be handsome, loving and God-fearing.  

Are you God-fearing yourself? Yes, I am God-fearing. I am a born again Christian.  

What is that thing you believe attracts the opposite sex to you? My eyes, my boobs and my lips. And some men say they love my dimples too.  

Have those things caused producers or directors to harass you sexually before? I don't understand what you mean.  

Have you suffered sexual harassment in the industry? There is no actress in Nollywood that will say or tell me that she has never been sexually harassed, especially say around 2005. Although the situation may be slightly different now, then they would put it to you that they wanted to give you a role but they would have to sleep with you.  

Are you talking from experience? Yes, a popular producer once tried it with me. I blasted him and walked away.  

Who might that be? You don't expect me to tell you now, do you?  

Well, tell us a little about Cynthia? Cynthia Agholor is from Agbor in Delta State. I am an actress, a model and I am also into film making. I am one of the best models in Nigeria. I have done many modeling jobs. I was one time Miss Lagos; that was in 2000. I am the only child of my mother, though my father had other children. My mother is a matron in a popular hospital in Lagos.

My father is late; he died seven years ago. I had my primary and post-primary education in Lagos, St Jude Primary and Secondary School, Victoria Island. I had a higher National Diploma (HND) in Marketing from the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, in 1999.