Fame opens doors for me -Bimbo Thomas

By Rita Okoye

Nollywood actress, producer, brand influencer, and seasoned Master of Ceremonies, Bimbo Thomas, has continued to distinguish herself in an industry often characterised by controversy.

With a career built on discipline, versatility, and steady reinvention, the Baba O’ star remains one of the few entertainers that are widely celebrated for their talent.

In a recent encounter with Saturday Sun, Thomas reflected on how her public profile has opened unexpected doors for her in everyday situations.

She described these experiences as one of her greatest achievements as an entertainer.

“Fame has really opened doors for me. Many times, when I need something, for instance at the embassy, I don’t experience stress. The normal me would follow protocol and queue, but the next thing I hear is, ‘Bimbo, no, don’t queue. Come, let me help you.’ And you know how strict they can be over there. I don’t pay for premium upgrades; I’ll stand in the queue and they will fish me out. It’s been like that. I give God all the glory,” she stated.

Thomas, who has spent years contributing to both mainstream and indigenous storytelling, also weighed in on the growing push to elevate local-language films to global standards. While Nollywood has made significant strides, she believes the industry still has a lot of work to do.

“Before now, I would have said budget, but we are no longer holding back when it comes to budget. I think the real issue is the quality of films we make. Yes, we have the equipment, but we lack adequate facilities. We still stage-manage too many things. We need to get these systems right. We have the budget, the talents, and the stories, so we can achieve more,” she said.

On what guides her decision when accepting a role, Thomas emphasised the importance of challenging and well-crafted scripts. The actress noted that earlier in her career, she struggled with being stereotyped, a situation she actively fought against.

“Quality script and a challenging role. Way back, people began stereotyping me, and I told myself I’m way beyond just a ghetto girl. So, I started rejecting such roles. Today, to God be the glory, I can write myself into all kinds of characters, and I’m good.”