These young Nigerians are passionate about Nollywood and aren’t too shy to show the world their struggles and hustle while making a name for themselves in the industry.

From homes to movie sets, cameras follow their daily activities and these five have no say over the editing of what is viewed by the members of the public.

In a hearty chat with Pulse, Efe, Sophie, Emem, Elohor and Joshua shared their experiences, expectations and struggles.

Their personalities

Efe Irele is the sultry actress and model, who started an autistic foundation because of her younger brother and she’s regarded as the captain of the pack.

ALSO READ: "I want to be a Nollywood evangelist" -Mary Njoku

The beautiful Sophie Alakija comes across to you as one face you have seen somewhere and yes, she has been on the TV screens for over six years but unknown to many, she is married and has two kids.

Emem, the fast rising actor, who has been able to appear in few productions and have grabbed fame.

Elohor is the dancer that found acting as a calling and willing to go through it to the end despite her recent engagement.

Joshua Richard is the handsome hunk, who had always had the passion for acting but didn’t have a portfolio in the art. With his family’s backing, he’s certain he can touch the sky.

Signing for Being In Nollywood

Efe Irele: Being In Nollywood is basically showing the world, the struggles, which upcoming actors go through and showing that we are not just there as celebs but also our struggles because I know on the show, the cameras show everything behind the glam, when the cameras are gone and things are going all dirty. So Being In Nollywood is actually the real Nollywood, showing live our lives, what the upcoming actors are up to.

Emem Ufot: It's a reality and for me my reality is sometimes when you watch the camera and you have to go back but there isn't really any house to go back to because you are from one set to the other. It's the struggle of trying to make it in Nollywood, there is really nothing regular, everyday is another episode, everyday is another thing to see, the cameras just stay till the day it ends. We all have our different lives but we tend to find that time to be together, sometimes, we are on the same set, like four of us on the same set and it's purely coincidental.  And to the new comers, you don't have to be pressured to drive a Benz or Lexus, stay with the art and keep pushing to break boundaries.

Joshua Richard: Being In Nollywood is more like reality to people who don't really understand what reality of people on TV is. This is because a lot of people see people on TV and they go you are making lots of money, you driving fast cars but it's not like that. I mean there are times that I don't have anything in my bank account. Nobody will ever see me and not say oh, Joshua it's a lie. So, this is really showing the humanity of being a celebrity than just being a celebrity is, so that is what Being In Nollywood is to all of us. It's like breaking down the walls, then you get to see the people that really understand you, the people that can relate with you and you get to see some commons, people who don't like you, people who just feel like you are a fake but hey, not everyone will like you. The people who will like you will like you. People who will never understand you will never understand you no matter what you do so that is the reality. The reality is this is us, this is our insecurities, this is our fears, this is our lifestyle. If you can't keep up, we don't know what to do anymore but this is us.

Elohor Festus: I can say that Being In Nollywood is the best thing that can ever happen to anybody because people you see on TV aren't all about the glam, people walk up to me and talk to me but if you watch the show, you will know who really Eloho is and what she's going through, so I think Being In Nollywood is the best thing that can ever happen to anyone in Nollywood. You know those seeing you and what is posted on social media have a different view believing with one movie role, you can buy a house and everything, though it can actually happen but not with one movie or even five movies because most young people want to come into Nollywood not because of the passion for the art but because they see celebrities with the cars and houses. But for me, acting is not something I went to just because of the money though I want the money but before that I have to enjoy it, I have to enjoy and appreciate what I do. I didn't start acting because I want to buy house or car overnight but because I enjoy doing what I do. And as you can see it, the hustle no be here ooo.

Sophie Alakija: For me, Being In Nollywood is the most realistic reality show you can get. Absolutely, nothing is being scripted or planned, it is as it happens. And for me, it's an amazing platform to show that mums can work. I have two kids, I am married but I still go to work. It's not impossible, people shouldn't think because they are mums, they can't pursue their dreams, I feel like people should go out there and do what they have to do and it shows you at the end of the day that things are not easy. People think actors are popping, we left set 5am this morning, it's not a joke, we have been filming from 7am to 5am and we are here before 12am for interviews, so it has come with the struggle and hustle. It is not an easy journey especially when people stereotype you but I just want to say it's an amazing platform showcasing struggles and what actors go through on a daily basis.

Why did you sign up for Being In Nollywood

Efe Irele: For me, I got a call from Mary Njoku, who is someone that I will always say that I owe my career to, she’s someone who gave me the opportunity to show the world what I can actually do. And I got a call from her and we had a roundtable meeting and she put it out there that you what, this is the plan I have for the show, I will follow you, I want to show the world the struggle you go through and for me, it was a very hard decision because technically, it’s going to be camera all through around me, in my house and anywhere I go because she warned us that for everything we do, it will be out there and if we don’t want it out there, then we shouldn’t do it because you don’t have the control over the editing so for me, I do want to show the world the struggles and everything we go through. I want us to be part of the first group that show people that actors and celebrities are humans too and we have our struggles and things that we go through. So, why not? And It’s ROK studios and it will show the world the whole truth.

Sophie Alakija: I didn’t mind being an experiment. It was a little bit difficult for me because I felt, they will be following me around, when I am not looking good, when I am nagging my kids and other things but I kind of thought about it that really, I haven’t seen anything on TV that has this type of reality show so I am like how bad can it get, so I might as well just go through it and acting is something I have always dreamt about getting into so if this is an opportunity for me to be used as an experiment to show people how it’s done, then I am very well and good to go with it.

Elohor Festus: At first I was scared because when I got the call, and after the explanation, I felt, I wanted it because I have been pushing for something so I felt like let’s do it. But after the whole thing, it just dawned on me that my life will be out there, because I don’t even have a house, I am currently sleeping in and out of somebody’s house, how will camera follow me, do I really want people to see this side of me, so it was a little bit hard for me but then who cares, it’s my life. At some point, I said I was going to fake it and not let them see everything but I discovered that as time goes on, you can’t hide it even when you try to hide it. It’s like you have a big wound and you want to cover it but it becomes very difficult. I learnt I couldn’t hide things even when I am trying, it’s still not hidden and it’s just coming out there. For me, it’s cool and I enjoyed it.

Emem Ufot: For me Being In Nollywood is one of the best thing that has happened to me. Mary Njoku gave me the call, even till now, I don’t know how she got my number or found my name in this very cast industry, so the thing just totally humbled me. How do you feel Emem if I have the camera following you, we will be shooting in your house, I said I don’t have a house and where exactly are you people going to shoot. It was very scary at first, though now, we are laughing about it. It was good being the lab rat for a giant industry like Nollywood to show the world our struggles as Nigerian actors in the country and I will say it’s been a pleasure. I will say I still have a lot of challenges but a platform like this is needed so I am very grateful.

Joshua Richard: When I got the call, I don’t even know how to put it because I was at a point in my life where I was just an actor by mouth with no content, I mean, I didn’t have anything to tell you or show anybody that I am an actor. What if people start asking, who is Joshua Richard, what have you done or what have you accomplished, so I didn’t have anything to show. It was different because I told my family about it and they said I had to do it because I have been chasing this dream since I was five and now this opportunity is there and that I have to take it. I was so unsure, I mean shooting Being In Nollywood, I had sleepless nights because I am thinking to myself, what am I going to do when the camera comes in, there were so many things I couldn’t put in place because I felt I didn’t have content. And getting the call and sitting down with Mary where she told us that it is a big opportunity, saying whatever we do, we should show the world this is what we do and can do and it was also a platform to show if and how you handle pressure, the real things of life like who are you when the camera is there and who are you when the camera is not there. Are you the same people? So many things going on in my mind, it’s hard for me because most times I feel like I am in a different headspace from anybody. So I kept asking myself, will people understand me because I am not going to give a fake life, I won’t tell you that I don’t have where I am living, I am not going to tell you I have not eaten if I have eaten, so my life might not be understood but this is my life. Will people be able to understand me, that was my fear. Will I have people say I inspire them because what is the point without inspiring people. I am still scared now but I think it’s better now because we are getting feedbacks and they are helpful enough.

Expectation from Being In Nollywood

Emem Ufot: Regardless of the little fame I have been able to get, a reality TV show is massive. There is nothing more massive than steady cameras recording you steadily, that consistency of cameras being on because films can last certain amount of time. It is an opportunity for an actor like me who has something to give and needs something to get, so I need that camera on, I live for that camera to be on so it was a no brainer to jump on the opportunity. My expectation is what is happening now, check the reel and what is going on, na dem dey rush us now. After all these, I can flourish with no stress because of this woman, Mary Njoku and the platform she has put us on. The pricing is no long what it used to be, our level has been raised, you can’t price us anyhow anymore.

Sophie Alakija: The reality show has given me a voice and that is why I try using it at every point I can but then there’s only so much I can do. The social media world is crazy, everybody will say whatever they want to say, so really, I am not going to go out of my way to keep people in check, if you want to say some shit, fine by me, I really don’t care at this point. I have heard and seen so many and at this point, I have grown a very thick skin to whatever comment coming my way. So I am over all that.