In a recent podcast with CreativTea, Genoveva Umeh gave fans a deeper look into her life, her journey before fame, and the person behind the characters. Here are ten things you probably did not know about the actress who brought Timeyin to life.
1. Moving to London and Cultural Adaptation
Genoveva’s transition to life in London wasn’t easy.
Her mother moved to the UK first, spending about four years on her own. She started out as a plate washer before joining the NHS as a nurse. Genoveva followed later with her father, leaving her life in Nigeria behind. 
The culture shock hit immediately. The harsh winter weather was a stark contrast to the life she knew back home. As a first-generation immigrant, Genoveva found it difficult to adjust. She was shy, struggled to fit in at high school, and carried that sense of not belonging. Over time, she learned to open up and eventually found her own path.
2. Her First Job in the UK
At age 16, Genoveva secured a part-time job at Primark, one of the biggest retailers in the UK. It was her first taste of work outside Nigeria and a step into independence.
3. Genoveva’s First Time on a Film Set in Enugu
Genoveva’s first professional film experience gave her foundational insights into acting.
She learnt early on that films aren’t shot chronologically. Genoveva had memorised 12 scenes out of fear of looking unprepared, only to realise she didn’t need to know the entire script at once. On a sci-fi project, she also picked up how to work with green screens, using imagination in place of a physical environment. Beyond the technical lessons, Genoveva experienced the real magic of collaboration: actors and crew all committed to making the story feel honest and believable.
She even celebrated her 21st birthday on that set. For Genoveva, it became a turning point that deepened her passion for storytelling and set the tone for her career.
4. Kenneth Gyang and Her Blood Sisters’ Roles
Genoveva credits Kenneth Gyang as being essentially responsible for her career-defining role in Blood Sisters. As the head of directing at ‘EbonyLife Creative Academy’, he watched an in-class short film where she played a drug addict. Recognising her potential, he recommended her to Auntie Mo for the role of Timeyin.
Her takeaway from that experience is one of profound gratitude for being “seen” as an actor. It served as validation that her commitment to the craft, treating class work with the same seriousness as a professional project, was a viable path to success.
SEE ALSO: How Genoveva Umeh Played Two Timeyins in Blood Sisters 2
5. The Actors Who Inspired Her
Genoveva names several actors who shaped her journey. Etomi Wellington is her “fave”. Genoveva even told her she was moving to Nigeria while still at the airport, and Tomi’s first advice was to ask if she’d prayed about it. John Boyega was another major inspiration. He’s a breakout star from Identity School of Acting in the UK, the same school Genoveva attended.
She also draws from the work of Bimbo Ademoye, whose performances in films like House Girls she admires, and Bisola Aiyeola, whom she followed before ‘Big Brother’ fame. Later, Genoveva connected with Blessing Obasi, a creator whose early short films she’d watched long before they worked together on Blood Sisters 2.
6. Why She Calls Herself “Genery”
The nickname “Genery” comes from her high energy and vitality. Genoveva says it reflects her lively nature and how she channels that enthusiasm into everything from sports and karate to physical endurance tasks. That same drive once had her working with DJ Abass, who advised her to focus more on entertainment law. She declined, as acting has always been her path.
SEE ALSO: Mo Abudu Expands Star-Studded Cast for The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives Film
7. Why She Hasn’t Appeared in Many YouTube Films
Genoveva explains that people in the industry might think she isn’t interested in YouTube films because of the roles she has taken. But the real reason is managing her workload. Constant shooting would drain her and affect the quality of her performance. She prefers roles where she can be fully present and impactful rather than rushing through high-volume productions.
8. Why She Named Her Play ‘Home’
After returning to Nigeria in 2018, Genoveva wrote a play called Home. The title reflects her deeply personal experience of feeling displaced and torn between two cultures.
The play explores the struggle of feeling “not enough” for Nigeria and “not enough” for the UK. It chronicles her journey as an actress, her experiences attending auditions, and her desire to establish herself as a Nigerian-British star while navigating the cultural disconnects she encountered during her transition. By expressing her identity crisis through a 30-minute play, she was able to process her complex emotions and define what it meant to return to her roots.
SEE ALSO: All the Men Bimbo Ademoye Has Been Rumoured to Date
9. Observations About Nollywood After Moving from the UK
Genoveva noticed several notable differences in Nollywood after relocating from the UK.
She admires that Nigerians can simply decide to create a story and then produce it. She contrasts this with her experience abroad, where she faced numerous bureaucratic hurdles. Genoveva also mentions that filmmakers elsewhere often have to make concessions, such as altering character traits to make stories more “malleable” for external audiences, whereas African storytelling allows for more authentic representation.
Upon visiting Nigeria and eventually moving there, she felt a vibrant energy: a sense of laughter, banter, and passion that she felt was missing in London’s more reserved environment. She also fondly recalls the sense of community in old Nollywood, where watching movies was a shared family experience.
10. Her Vision for Future Roles and Storytelling
Genoveva has clear ambitions beyond Nollywood. She aims to tell African stories globally and break into international markets, including Hollywood.
She is passionate about sci-fi and action roles, saying she would love to do “some Wakanda type stuff” to showcase her physical endurance. She seeks roles that feel authentic and relatable, drawing from her own life experiences. She prioritises roles that make an impact and contribute to meaningful storytelling over simply increasing her body of work.
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