Nollywood actress Scarlet Gomez has sparked an important conversation about the working conditions behind Nigeria’s glamorous film industry, calling on producers and industry stakeholders to stop exploiting actors, directors and production crew members who work tirelessly to bring movies to life.
The actress raised the alarm in a lengthy Instagram post shared on Thursday, November 12, 2026, where she described what she called the painful reality many creatives experience behind the cameras. According to her, while audiences enjoy the finished movies, the people responsible for producing them are sometimes subjected to exhausting schedules, inadequate welfare, unfair payment practices and intimidation whenever they attempt to speak up.
Scarlet Gomez’s comments have drawn attention to issues that are often overlooked in conversations about Nollywood’s growth. From actors working through the night to crew members struggling to receive their salaries, the actress questioned why people who contribute to the success of film productions should be expected to endure conditions that compromise their health and dignity.
Behind Nollywood’s Glamour Lies Exhaustion, Poor Welfare and Unpaid Salaries
Scarlet Gomez explained that actors, directors and production crew members are sometimes expected to work from morning until midnight, with some filming schedules reportedly extending until 6 a.m. Despite spending the entire night working, they may be required to return to set by 10 or 11 a.m., leaving them with barely enough time to rest.
The actress also alleged that some production workers are not provided with proper meals, decent accommodation or even safe places to sleep. She claimed that some creatives fall sick while working on movie sets, expose themselves to dangerous conditions and still struggle to receive payment for completed jobs, with some reportedly waiting for months before their salaries arrive. In her view, the popular excuse that “the show must go on” has become a way of overlooking the welfare of the people making the show possible.
But according to Scarlet, the problem does not end with poor working conditions. She explained that creatives who complain about unfair treatment risk being threatened with losing future opportunities. Workers who request fair payment, sufficient rest or basic welfare may suddenly be labelled difficult, unprofessional or demanding.
She also described a culture where people who question scripts or raise concerns about how productions are being managed can become targets of bullying, negative stories and possible blacklisting. One of the threats she highlighted was the familiar warning: “I won’t call you for my next job.” Such pressure, she suggested, leaves many workers choosing silence over the possibility of losing their next source of income.
Scarlet Gomez Calls for Unity, Challenges Creatives to Stop Undermining One Another
Beyond criticising some production practices, Scarlet Gomez also turned her attention to the behaviour of fellow creatives. She expressed disappointment that some colleagues who privately understand the struggles of the industry allegedly turn against those who speak publicly, simply to appear loyal or protect their own opportunities.
She also criticised the practice of deliberately reducing professional rates to secure jobs, arguing that such competition can make it even harder for other workers to demand fair compensation.
The actress questioned whether previous generations who endured similar conditions had actually benefited from their sacrifices, suggesting that some remained financially and professionally disadvantaged despite years of hard work.
However, Scarlet Gomez made it clear that her criticism was not directed at every producer in the industry. She appreciated those who make genuine efforts to pay workers fairly, provide decent welfare and treat everyone on set with dignity. She maintained that proper meals, safe accommodation, reasonable rest and timely payment should be basic working conditions, not special favours granted by generous employers.
In a direct message to fellow industry professionals, she urged them to stop abandoning colleagues who speak up against unfair treatment and instead stand together to demand better working conditions.
Her appeal was clear: “Stop throwing people under the bus for speaking up. Stop undercutting one another. Stop normalising exploitation. Stand together and demand better.”
Scarlet Gomez also reminded industry stakeholders that actors and crew members have lives beyond movie sets. They have families, responsibilities, bills and personal needs that do not disappear simply because a production is running behind schedule. She concluded that although creating a masterpiece may require dedication and hard work, the people behind it should never have to become victims of the process.
Her message has reopened a wider conversation about labour standards, accountability and the need for better treatment of workers in Nollywood. As the industry continues to expand, the question is whether its growth will also translate into improved conditions for the people whose efforts make its success possible.
OGM News NG will continue to follow reactions from Nollywood stakeholders and any further developments surrounding Scarlet Gomez’s call for better working conditions in the Nigerian film industry.
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