Producers Denied Me Movie Roles Cause Of My Dark Skin– Mercy Johnson

Renowned Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, has revealed how some movie producers and directors refused to give her roles in their production because of her dark complexion, as they mostly preferred to cast fair-skinned ladies at the expense of dark-skinned ones.
She noted that she faced a lot and went through so many obstacles for being dark.
The mother of three, in a chat with the Punch, said, “I faced that a lot and I tell people that my success is just grace.

“It is very true that when I was starting out in the movie industry, it was difficult to get roles because of my complexion.
“Somebody once told me that I am too dark but that is where the grace and favour of God comes in.
“Regardless of everything, most of the dark-skinned actresses that are my contemporaries made it.
According to her, “It is not true that I pick just any movie role. People are different and what appeals to one person might not appeal to the other.

“One of my most popular movies is ‘Dumebi Goes to School’ and I know how many actresses rejected that script before I accepted to do it. That movie has been one of the highest selling movies in Nollywood till date.
“I think it is not fair for anyone to say I just jump on any movie production. As human beings, our strength is in our diversity and differences; this means that what you call trash might not be trash to someone else.
“I select my scripts and I work with all of my heart because acting is my passion.”