Actor Femi Branch has delivered a scathing critique of fellow actors who, in his view, fail to fully embody their characters, labeling them as “frauds” and “cheats” for not committing to the transformative demands of their roles.
In a candid interview with HipTV, Branch expressed his discontent with performers who maintain a consistent appearance and demeanor across different films, arguing that such practices undermine the essence of acting.
“You have someone that calls himself an actor and he has just one look in every film. I’m sorry dude, you’re not professional. You’re a fraud,” he stated emphatically.
Femi emphasised that true acting requires a willingness to undergo both physical and emotional changes to authentically portray diverse characters.
He criticised actors who rely on their personal identities, forcing audiences to mentally separate the actor from the role, thereby shifting the burden of performance onto viewers.
“The audience has to keep convincing themselves that it’s not you—they’re doing your job for you. You’re giving them stress!” he added.
Highlighting the dedication of international actors like Michael Fassbender, Joaquin Phoenix and Femi pointed out their readiness to make significant physical alterations for roles, such as gaining or losing weight, shaving their heads, or adding prosthetics.
“If you have to go bald, you go bald. If you have to carry warts on your face, you carry warts! Your body doesn’t belong to you—it belongs to the craft,” he asserted.
Femi concluded by noting that serious producers and directors can discern genuine talent from superficial performances, stating, “That’s why you’ll never see such actors in serious projects. Producers and directors know how to sift the wheat from the chaff. Who cares about your good looks? People are paying for the characters they can relate with—not your selfies.”
Femi’s own career exemplifies the commitment he advocates.
In 2023, he portrayed Mide in Adire, a film that premiered in Nigerian cinemas on November 3 and was later added to Netflix in January 2024.
In 2024, he played Odun, a wealthy farmer in the 1980s, in Farmer’s Bride, which was released in cinemas nationwide on September 27.
Most notably, Femi starred as Bashorun Ga’a in the 2024 historical drama House of Ga’a, directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters.
The film, set in the 18th-century Oyo Empire, chronicles the rise and fall of a ruthless kingmaker. Branch’s portrayal received widespread acclaim, with critics praising his compelling performance.
The film achieved significant success, ranking number one in Nigeria and entering Netflix’s Top 10 global chart for non-English films, amassing 3.4 million views within five days of its release.
