- Aki has stated that the new generation of Nollywood actors which he called ‘Gen Z’ are trying to belittle the older generations.
- The veteran actor added that they try to make it seem they are Hollywood standard and perfect at their job.
- Disagreeing with him, Bovi and their host, Toke Makinwa stated that many a-times, the older generation are the cause of this phenomenon.
Veteran Nigerian actor, Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki, has said the social media phrase “Old Nollywood vs New Nollywood” was coined by overzealous Gen Z performers in an attempt to exert superiority.
He said the Gen Z actors are constantly trying to make it seem like they are “the best” and “Hollywood standard.”
Speaking in the latest episode of TeaTalk podcast hosted by actress, Toke Makinwa, Ikedieze said:
“There’s this thing now, Old Nollywood and New Nollywood. It’s absurd.
“I think the Gen Zs in Nollywood are trying to make it look like, ‘Oh! We’re the latest. We’re the Hollywood standards. We’re the best. We know it all.”
His fellow guest on the podcast, comedian Bovi, however, disagreed with him. In Bovi’s words:
“It’s not even just them [Gen Z]. Let me tell you one thing that is common. I think it’s general in Nigeria but let me speak on the entertainment industry. Those before tend to look down on newcomers. They would be like, ‘Who’s this? Me, I’ve been in this business. I’m an aunty. She just came and said hi. Who’s this guy? He can’t behave himself. Does he know how long you’ve been doing it?’
“They [older actors] have been doing that. The reason many of us are relating with people like you [Ikedieze] is because when we came into the industry, you didn’t snub us. But the assholes that are out there… We know them. And now they act all cool.
“So, it’s not just a Gen Z thing, the Old Nollywood, there are many of them who have seniority complexes.”
See video below: