Award-winning actress Osas Ighodaro has opened up about her first on-screen kiss in the Nigerian film industry, describing it as a moment of unexpected discomfort and cultural adjustment.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Culture League podcast, Osas, who relocated to Nigeria from the United States in 2012, shared that her initial experience with Nollywood’s approach to intimacy on set came as a “rude shock.”
“My first on-screen kiss in Nigeria took me by surprise,” she said. “Though I knew the kiss was coming and I was prepared for an on-screen kiss… In my experience, you are not supposed to put your tongue in somebody’s mouth. But the person did.”
The actress emphasised the importance of communication and consent in performing intimate scenes, noting that in professional settings, actors typically discuss boundaries beforehand.
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“On the basic level, if you are going to do an on-screen kiss, you talk about it, ‘Oh I’m going to put my tongue in your mouth.’ But if you don’t talk about it, then you know it’s the basics,” she explained.
Ighodaro’s revelation has sparked renewed conversations around professional conduct, boundaries, and industry standards in Nollywood, especially regarding how intimacy is portrayed and managed on set.
Since her move to Nigeria, Osas Ighodaro has become one of Nollywood’s most respected talents, known for her roles in Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story, Smart Money Woman, and Man of God. Her experience highlights the evolving dynamics of Nigerian cinema and the need for clearer protocols in actor collaboration.
