Actress Blessing Onwukwe has spoken about the public reaction to her role as Mama Monica in the film Monica, which has now recorded over 16 million views on YouTube.
The film, produced by Uche Montana, features Montana in the lead role and focuses on family pressure, responsibility and societal expectations. Onwukwe’s portrayal of a strict mother figure has led to strong reactions from viewers online.
In an interview with Punch, she said she expected attention but did not expect people to mistake the character for real life.
“I expected it, but I guess I didn’t think they would attack me personally. Some actually forgot it was a movie role. But at some point, I said it’s fine, as long as it’s not dangerous,” she said.
Despite the reactions, Onwukwe said the role has boosted her visibility and career growth.
“It’s been a big boost. It just confirms what I already know — this is what I am called to do,” she added.
She also spoke about the lessons in the film, especially around parenting and family responsibility.
“Parents, stop burdening your kids with responsibility too early in life. It’s not your first child’s responsibility to raise your other kids. You choose to have kids. Have the amount of kids you can raise,” she said.
Onwukwe advised young women not to neglect their personal development while supporting their families.
“Ladies, while you are helping your family, don’t neglect yourself. Time flies,” she added.
Reflecting on her performance, she said the role was more demanding than her previous characters.
“Yes, it did. I know I have played wicked roles, but nothing as deep as this. I had to interpret that role, and people loved it,” she said.
Monica is a Nollywood drama released on YouTube in March, telling the story of a young woman dealing with heavy family expectations while trying to build her own life. The film has continued to gain attention online, drawing discussions around parenting styles, emotional pressure and responsibility within African families.
Following its success, Uche Montana released a sequel on Saturday, Monica 2, which continues the storyline and also attracted strong viewership shortly after release, extending conversations around the franchise online.
