'No Art Should Demand That Its Creators Become The Sacrifice'

Nollywood actress Scarlet Gomez has penned a striking reflection on the harsh realities of the film industry, highlighting the exploitation and lack of basic welfare often faced by creatives behind the scenes.

The movie star made this known on her Instagram page, opening up about the unseen struggles that plague many actors, directors, and crew members.

Gomez painted a vivid picture of a system where professionals are expected to work tirelessly from morning till midnight, and sometimes until 6 a.m., only to be back on set by 10 or 11 a.m. with barely any sleep. She pointed out that many do not get proper food, decent accommodation, or a safe place to sleep, adding that some fall sick on set, risk their lives, and are owed salaries for months.

According to her, the moment a creative complains or asks for fair pay and basic welfare, they are immediately labelled a diva, difficult, or unprofessional.

The actress noted that those who speak up about scripts or production flaws are treated as the problem and risk being blacklisted, lied on, and bullied. Gomez stated that she refuses to let the industry change who she is, adding that she will remain kind, respectful, and speak her truth without putting any human being in God's place.

She emphasized that everyone has a destiny and a chi, and nobody can cancel what God has written, adding that Karma has a way of finding its way home.

She concluded by appreciating producers who still try to pay fairly and treat people with dignity, stressing that decent welfare is a basic right and not a favour.

She wrote:
"Behind the glamour of Nollywood is a reality many ppl never see; actors, directors & crew work tirelessly from morning till midnight (sometimes even till 6 a.m) only to be expected back by 10/11 a.m to continue like they haven't worked all night, barely getting any sleep. Some don't get proper food, decent accommodation or even a safe place to sleep. Some fall sick on set, risk their lives, owed salaries for months. Yet 'the show must go on'. And the moment you complain, you hear 'I won't call you for my next job'. So ppl keep quiet. Ask for fair pay, rest or basic welfare and SUDDENLY you're a diva, difficult or unprofessional. Speak up about a script or how a production is being run? You're the problem. Some get blacklisted, lied on and bullied. Even colleagues who complain privately will turn against the person speaking up, just to look loyal. Others secretly slash their rates to get jobs, even when they know it affects everyone."

"But what happened to those who came before us? The ones who kept quiet, kissed a** and endured everything. Did they get anything in return? Many are still in the same place, just older and more exhausted. Meanwhile, some are buying property from the labour of creatives who can't even afford to care for themselves when they're sick. I understand survival and bills, but when does protecting yourself become a problem? I now understand why some actors who were once so warm become guarded and strict. But I refuse to let this industry change who I am. I'll remain kind, respectful and speak my truth. I won't kiss a** or put any human being in God's place. God sees the unpaid wages, the tears and the injustice."

"Everybody has an ori, a chi and a destiny. Nobody can cancel what God has written for you. What's mine won't pass me by, and nobody escapes the consequences of how they treat other people's children, husbands and wives. Karma has a way of finding its way home. I genuinely appreciate the producers who still try to pay fairly, provide decent welfare and treat ppl with dignity. It's a basic right, not a fa*our."

"My opinion Every masterpiece has its price, but no work of art should demand that its creators become the sacrifice."