Interview: I Battled Imposter Syndrome when I Joined Nollywood, says Toluwani George

From accidental TikToker to Nollywood’s next big thing, Toluwani George‘s journey into acting is as unconventional as it is inspiring. Discovered during the COVID-19 pandemic through her viral videos, she has since built an impressive filmography spanning major streaming platforms. In this interview with TheCable Lifestyle’s Pelumi Bolawa, Toluwani opens up about her serendipitous entry into the industry, the surreal experience of working alongside childhood idols, and how she silences the noise of social media to stay focused on her craft.

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TheCable Lifestyle: How did you get into acting?

Toluwani: It was very circumstantial for me. It wasn’t deliberate. I think it started during COVID. At that time, we were all looking for things to do with our lives. I mean, the whole world was on hold.

Yeah, the whole world was on hold. And the internet seemed to be the only space where people could just go and express themselves. So, I had started just doing these videos on TikTok.

And a producer at the time just texted me like, Oh, Tolu, I like your videos. I think you should audition for something like. Church drama, yes.

It was on a very small scale. So, I auditioned because, at the time as well, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I am a very firm believer in trying a lot of things.

I’ve run down to every girl and just find the one that works for you. I do not think there is just one path. If you’re not a doctor, then you’re nothing. If you’re not a lawyer, you’re nothing. No, I feel like there are different things for each person. So, just try it out.

So, I auditioned for it. And it was like a two-minute thing. And he’s like, oh, this is nice. Come, let’s shoot it. We shot it. And then someone else, another director, is like, Oh, I actually have a film, like a whole film.

And I want you to play the lead. Wow, that’s fantastic. And he was like, oh, I think you can do it.

I am like, you think I can do it with no acting experience? He’s like, yeah, I think you can do it. And so he gave me my first, like, actual feature film. And I did it.

And years later, I ended up on Netflix. And then the next one I did, also some director slash producer from Lagos here was like, Oh, actually you’ve matched something that I want to do. Let’s work together.

And I’m like, okay, I’m available. And then I did that as well. That also ended up on Prime. I’m like, wow, this is great.

And I was still doing school at the time because I was still in uni at the time. But then I’m just like, as the opportunities came, I took them. And so I also got the call for ‘Wura’.

I had seen the flyer the year before to audition. I’m like, no, they can’t pick me. I mean, I’m not an actor like that. I’m still in school. By the time I was done with school, I was in my service year. And I just got a call.

Oh, you should. We need you to audition for ‘Eve’ like right now. Like, you need to send in your audition tape right now.

And so I was, fun fact, I was actually at the cinema. So I rushed home and sent in the tape. They’re like, okay, you need to come to Ife tomorrow.

And so I went to Ife. They made me do a screen test with ‘Lolu’. And immediately the producer was like, that’s how you do it.

TheCable Lifestyle: What was your parents’ reaction to you venturing into acting?

Toluwani: Honestly, my parents were more receptive than I had hoped. I had thought that for my first, I did not want to ask my parents, to be honest.

I was like, oh, no, my parents won’t allow me to do it. They won’t allow it. But then I just did. I asked my parents. And they were like, ‘Oh, sure, as long as they’re buying the contract and they’re paying me, I’m good for it.

TheCable Lifestyle: Do you think agreement fees should increase if a film becomes bigger?

Toluwani: No, actually, because it’s a contract, it’s binding. So the minute your figures start from the start of the film, that’s how it is all the way.

TheCable Lifestyle: There was some controversy about the portrayal of gender-related issues in ‘Wura.’ Was there ever a point where the producers raised concerns?

Toluwani: I had no drawback, because I like the fact that ‘Wura’ explored something that most people are very scared to explore in this country. And it takes a lot of audacity to do that, especially because it was the Nigerian version of the South African one. The South African original is ‘The River’.

So, I mean, it’s very audacious. No, there wasn’t any point. We were sticking to the story and the script that we already had, and I’m really glad that we stayed true to that, especially in that regard.

TheCable Lifestyle: Who do you see as a mentor in the movie industry?

Toluwani: Honestly, I see a lot of strong women in this industry who have paved the way for people like us to even dream, and the way they think outside the box in terms of the films they make, the quality of content that they put out.

I look out to the likes of Kemi Adetiba. I look up to Mo Abudu because she is a very strong woman who has dared to push.

I look up to Funke Akindele because what she’s doing right now is not something that people, even men, could have thought to do years before now. But now she’s pushing standards, breaking barriers. I mean, reaching heights that we only thought, oh, it’s not possible, just upload here.

But now we can see those kinds of moves and be like, okay, so we can dream even bigger. So we know, okay, there’s more, there’s room for more. The sky is not the limit; the sky is the starting point.

So yeah, these are women who have given me the nerve to dream as big as I do, because trust me, I dream big.

TheCable Lifestyle: Has there been any challenge that tempted you to stop acting?

Toluwani: Of course, because as much as I love and enjoy what I do, for me personally, there’s this narrative around when you look a certain way, where people feel like, oh, you’re just getting the role because of how you look, or you’re just getting it because you’re a fine girl.

And for the longest, I struggled with that, because I always felt the need to then do times two or times three of the actual work. Now I have to do more, and I have to prove myself.

Now I have to show that I’m not just a pretty face. I’m not just a name. I actually have to show the working. Indeed. I have to do the homework. I have to read the script.

I have to build the character. I actually have to put in the work. And for the longest, I used to feel bad because people would make me feel bad.

They would make you feel like you don’t deserve that point. So I used to have imposter syndrome, especially because I didn’t have a theatre background. So they would usually make you feel like, yeah, exactly.

So they would just make you feel like, oh, how are you doing this? But I’m grateful for the people that I’ve had in my space to just let me know that, okay, yes, you’re a fine girl.

Yes, the pretty face can get you through the door or can get you in front of the door, might not even get you through, but it’s the talents that you have that will get you through the door, that will keep you in the room.

I’m really grateful for these people.

So, I think conversations like that have made it significantly easier. Just focus on what you are doing. Like, keep doing the work. Keep showing up. Keep going. Yes, on days when noise gets really intense. Just remember that that’s all it is. It’s noise. It’s just background noise.

TheCable Lifestyle: How do you deal with social media trolls?

Toluwani: I stay off X entirely. It’s pretty ghetto out there. I don’t even try. I’m telling you. I don’t try at all.

But for others on social media, I just put out, first of all, I put out what I like. So, if I don’t like a particular piece of content, I won’t put it out. And because I like it, there’s nothing you can tell me that will make me feel bad about it.

Yes, I’m putting it out for my audience to see, but I like it first. So, it’s my content. So, even if you feel a certain way about it, it’s like your personal issue and opinion. And I respect it. Not everybody has to like what I put out. But I like it.

So, I’m putting it out. And for people who, like, say negative things, or you’re not ready to comment, I just want to tell you that you’re fine. I enjoy it.

I block people. I feel like it takes a level of not being very happy for you to be saying certain things.

If you were happy in your own life and things were going great for you, you would wish other people well. So, instead of getting angry, and I would not even give you the delight of reposting, or saying anything about it, I just ignore it.

Delete it if I can. Just overlook it. I can’t be angry, and in peace, and be happy.

If you were happy in your own life and things were going great for you, you would wish other people well. So, instead of getting angry, and I would not even give you the delight of reposting, or saying anything about it, I just ignore it.

TheCable Lifestyle: What matters more in filmmaking—story, budget, or distribution?

Toluwani: I don’t think there’s one that can survive without the other. You need a good storyline. You need a good budget. You need a storyline that appeals to the audience that you want to sell it to.

Honestly, it’s very hard to find all these factors in one piece. Like, okay, you have a good film. If you have a good film, you might not have a good budget. If you have a good budget, you might not have a good story.

If you have a good story, you might not have the right team. If you have the right team and you put it out, you might not have the right distribution channel. You might not be able to push it the way you should.

So, honestly, no part is insignificant or less important. They are all equally important.

TheCable Lifestyle: Most of your content has appeared in cinemas. Is that deliberate?

Toluwani: It’s a circumstance. And it’s just good. Like I like to say, because I don’t know. I don’t know. I can’t explain it. I can’t say because I’m not choosy.

I’m not out here picking and choosing what I want to work on. Honestly, it’s just God.

TheCable Lifestyle: Is there any misconception people have about you?

Toluwani: Most people feel like I can’t speak Yoruba. That is one. And also, most people feel like I’m a Nepo baby. Yeah. Like, I hear that a lot. Oh my God. I hear that a whole lot. Oh my God, a Nepo baby. And at this point, I’m not even going to deny it.

Yes, I like good things in life. And even though I might not be a Nepo baby, it’s okay, you can think that. Maybe you’ll prophesy something into my future. Who knows? Who knows? You know, it’s a city of law.

TheCable Lifestyle: What’s ahead for you in 2026?

Toluwani: Well, there’s more stuff coming. Like, many more projects. I can not even wait for them to come out. I’m so excited. I mean, there is a lot of stuff that I did in 2025 that is yet to come out.

There’s a lot of stuff that I have done even this year that is also yet to come out. There are also other projects in the pipeline, in conversation, and I am also hoping to explore other things, as I am acting as well. I will not get into that yet.