While some actors embrace intimacy scenes as a necessary part of their craft, others have firm boundaries to protect their personal brand.
In Nollywood, the debate over on-screen intimacy continues to divide opinions among its biggest stars.
Here is a look at four Nollywood actors and their differing views on intimate roles: 
1. Clinton Joshua Ezenele
Nollywood actor Clinton Joshua Ezenele says he avoids kissing scenes to prevent typecasting. Joshua shared in a recent interview with TVC’s E Splash that he sets a deliberate boundary by refusing on-screen kisses.
He said he would rather take on a variety of roles than get restricted to one kind of character. He also explained that once an actor becomes known for a specific performance, producers often keep offering similar scripts.
“I don’t kiss in movies because this is Nollywood and when you are doing that (kissing) — I am not trying to brag — producers will likely give me the same role over and over again,” he said.
The actor, who has acted in films like Flavours of the Heart (2025), We Are All Yours (2024), and For Her Sake (2026), said he does not want his career to remain limited to romantic roles. “I don’t want to kiss half the girls in Nollywood,” he said.
During the interview, Joshua also spoke about people calling him a YouTuber. He said he dislikes the label, but he understands it because he has not appeared in a major film or Netflix project, and many people know him from YouTube films. Joshua said people use the word “YouTuber” in a way that sounds insulting, as they assume YouTube films only suit people who cannot act or who lack professional experience. He insisted that people should end that narrative.
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2. Scarlett Gomez
In recent weeks, several actors have shared their views on intimate roles, including Joshua. Temi Gomez, the husband of Scarlet Gomez, said he supports his wife acting in intimate scenes in films. She explained: “I am not married to a boy, but a man. His ego is not small. He also has faith in his spouse.”
3. Etinosa Idemudia
Etinosa Idemudia stated that passionate kissing and hugging scenes are no different from any other type of movie scene. She confirmed this in an interview with Punch Newspapers.
Etinosa addressed the growing discussion on handling intimacy scenes in Nollywood, stating that professional actors easily enter and exit characters. The actress also stated that she does not experience any emotions during intimate scenes. She explained that intimacy scenes in Nollywood are just like any other scene, and everything returns to normal once the director says, “cut.”
4. Daniel Etim Effiong
This Nollywood actor and film director has also explained why kissing scenes are common in Nigerian films. In an interview on Rubbin’ Minds, Daniel Etim Effiong attributed their inclusion to audience demand and market trends, saying producers use them because they sell.
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