Actress, Mercy Johnson has become a household name today but many may not know the screen diva faced rejection in the movie industry at some point in her career.
In a chat with Saturday Beats, she revealed that some movie producers did not give her slots in their production because of her dark complexion.
She said that when she started out in the Nigerian movie industry, most movie directors and producers always preferred to cast fair-skinned ladies at the expense of talented but dark-skinned ones.
“It is very true that when I was starting out in the movie industry, it was difficult to get roles because of my complexion. I faced that a lot and I tell people that my success is just grace. Somebody once told me that I am too dark but that is where the grace and favour of God comes in. Regardless of everything, most of the dark-skinned actresses that are my contemporaries made it,” she said.
The actress who has featured in scores of movies told Saturday Beats that it would be unfair of anyone to say she features in any movie without any consideration.
“It is not true that I pick just any movie role. People are different and what appeals to one person might not appeal to the other. One of my most popular movies is ‘Dumebi Goes to School’ and I know how many actresses rejected that script before I accepted to do it. That movie has been one of the highest selling movies in Nollywood till date. I think it is not fair for anyone to say I just jump on any movie production. As human beings, our strength is in our diversity and differences; this means that what you call trash might not be trash to someone else. I select my scripts and I work with all of my heart because acting is my passion. When I read a script and it appeals to me, I have fun while I do it,” the actress said.
– Punch
Bleach then.
why should she do that
Any day i stop behene good u ll 4ol dwn but i pray contun doing good god s wochin u
Then u bleach, at list bleaching is allowed, but na where the cream torch ur body reach na e mata, because some dey torch all body na only center of nyash e no dey torch.
????
Nt funny doh
Black is beautiful.
Don’t bother my in law because you’re still making it.you have a lot of fans and we love you. ..Keep on waving your super flag….
How
Then forget about it,u are beautiful and talented
Lies
Black is beautiful….and am proud of it…forget it cos u are talented and u have loads of fans
Still at dat…. U r d best dear.be happy
Pls Mercy my earnest advise to u is dis, ur black & beautiful dnt mind if ur being denied roles dnt forget your talented, common be urslf ur yet to Xcel de more in due course, in fact u,ll be struggled for pls dnt fall prey like Micheal Jackson of course u( knw wat I mean) let me nt go further pls maintain ur chocolate colour lol.
I understand you Mercy. But black is beautiful I’ll not bleach for anything or anyone. Take it or leave it. Who you EPP
Hope u read the whole write up cos she made it clear that changing your skin color cos of what people think or say is not right,I wonder why there’s a lot of pressure in your comment..
Na wa ooo Anita Ezionyinye Hills i wonder why you then decided to take it personal…pressure or no pressure who u epp.
I like ur personal resolution & summation. Keep it up @ becky igelle ede ade
Aunty Anita Ezionyinye Hills I read her interview and perfectly understood everything. I am talking about myself I am not n will not bleach for anyone or anything who the person or thing epp? Now u understand I guess. Thank u
Thank you better person Madaki Harvey RD
I wonder o Joy Ahmed
You re chocolate and pretty…. Thanks for having high self esteem…
Thanks my dear you are pretty too??
Ur husband has not denied u…
Black is beautiful my love, just maintain the real u…
You re OK..my dear,don’t mine them,….
And u Come out publicly to sat that… R u not encouraging bleaching indirectly??
Should she say it inside room? Abi na bleaching cream she dey sell?
Maudlyn George it seems u don’t know what’s tagged “reserved comments”.. When ur a celebrity…
Just b sensible alryt???
I see how sensible you are… Try n read n understand then read again before u comment
God bless you for not doing anything silly to your sink remember black is beautiful
look at ur face now. u look like 60 years old woman. keep bleaching
# proudly black #
Please don’t be deceived by anything or anybody, God knowns the best,….don’t please anybody expect God and your husband ,and don’t beach your skin
You still slay with your black colour,forget those motherfuckers…
Bleaching isnt a problem
the problem is when you start looking like a roasted plantain + Moroco flag with about 3 colours..
Black is beautiful
even the white qirls admire our colour
Morocco flag!
Lol
Hmmmm
Haaha wat apun now, anyway black is beautifull.
Desmond I see u as a book writer or lawyer I enjoy ur comments alot. Thanks
Thank you all
Desmond Bobby no mind them joor our colour remains d best ever who say black ain’t beautiful
The blacker the berry the switer the juice
Then bleach e no hard #200 cream, namely Fashion Fair go bleach u, u go white pass oyibo seff. No disturb my ear as i dey hungry so ooo
social media… pages will just cook stories.. pple will start working themselves out
you’re dark and lovely..
Are they encouraging bleaching?
So your darkness has degraded you for not being yourself, well you are one of those who are not proud of their colour. Ask your type to advice you on how they change to semi white,best of luck
It is clear you did not read the write up
Read before you comment
No wonder a renowned scholar once said,if you want to hide something from a black man especially Africans,write it down. We like cover pages but just can’t read through d content. Always read before u comment..
Thank u guys, u all ve spoken my mind
Always read before commenting
Tell them,
Read before commenting
Headline reader. Use your data for what its meant for
black is beautiful Mercy
So somebody cannot come on social media to air their issue without pple twisting talks,judging n commenting hate. Na wa o! I thot d problem Nigeria is facing is enough already…
I taya
There is always a perfect role for someone and urs is yet to come,just keep doin ur good works
Abeg my mermer no bleach ooo me I no denied u
Yabaleft again hmmm
Don’t mind them
Your skin color is the best
Happy skin cancer
Ehe! Now i see, thats why ladies of nowdays are desperate to change colour. I dont blame them. In such a situation one can try all possible best to fulfill all the requirements to achieve one’s heart desire. It is indeed a painful discrimination.
GO AND M I C H E A L J A C K S O N YOURSELF !
Plz avoid those movies for good …act the ones that your colour permits
Yaba knows how to twist talk eeh..learn how to put statements the way is been stated…that’s y Una go still remain for left..!
Hahahahaha
scared to say , being ugly ??
Please come and take my colour, let me take yours,lol. Black is awesome dear Mercy,!
Don’t mind dem, u are d best with ur complexion,ur own food will not pass u and don’t go and bleach bcos of DAT,I know an era is still coming DAT will need dark in complexion pple very well.Baby u are d best with ur complexion and u will be d best forever dat without u in a movie dey will not be comfortable IJN.
My African queen of nollywood movie, just remain the way you are. Mercy, you look very natural and there has never been any pretence in your person. Please, I am begging you in the name of God to leave your complexion, I love it and don’t bleach it
Any role 4 me is alwy’s d best dear’ or have u 4gotten dt BLACK is beautiful.
Dnt mind them,we’re proud of you african queen.
Bleach na since u dnt kn black is bewty
worldwide,producers and directors offer more roles to actresses in exchange for sex, i remembered an indian actress who was critisized for changing her clothes in front of the guest during award presentation,in her respond,she said most of the organizers and majority of the guests already have seen her naked and therefore,no need to hide anything,film and photo studios are sex temples
You’re d best Mercy! Even if you’re Dark
Nonsense
Goan bleach na,ow does dat affect me…
Yabaleft and lies…
Have you heard of Swiss golden!! No I guess bc if you have you will be too busy making millions chat me up for details 09034466560
Who heard wen she said it???? wia is de prove YabaLeftOnline.com?????…. na wah ooo….. 9ja una sabi paint pple blue wia by dia real color is green…….
Then or Now?well u paid the price4All!
Yes mercy I remember when I went for a seminar a popular actor among the host that came to tell us more about nollywood and to encourage us then told us about u ,how u were rejected by director s and producers back then but u never gave up and how they will laugh at your thick pimples and ur very dark skin but u never allowed that to weigh u down …look at u now u a re a wife and a mother and u still have your career congratulations to you mercy thank God for u mercy
So u want yellow by force! Been yourself my sister
(It’s sad that some people don’t read the contents of posts!!! Just the caption)Anyway I love u Mercy Johnsonu are my best Female Actress, dark or light skinned , u are a talented actress that interprets any role given to u wellaand the best part of it all, u are a wonderful wife and mother
You mean they don’t appreciate black skin in Nollywood? too bad
Abeg u fyn joor
It hasn’t denied u ur destiny swthrt! U can likewise play certain roles dat fair- in- complexion pple can’t. D equation is balanced. U’r loved!!!
Tomb’s up to you then… We cant kill ourselves ooo… And those of us who refuses to bleach… We are the greatest…..
So sweet u are never might them
So u wan go bleach my sweet heart….pls dnt try it ooo,cus I Luv ur colour like mad..dark or purple ure still Nigeria’s best female actress cus u can act as anytin and can even act as a man…ure d best mercy johnson.
You are the best
Black is beautiful
Den qoan n [email protected] johnson
Go and bleach
Despite dat u still rock baby. Still one of my favourite.
Woow lyk seriously
Do you want to bleach
You are blessed for being black!
Others are being denied some roles for being a white(color).. Behold your natural color.
Black is beautiful!!!
#Black or #dark is beautiful #Mercy. You are #Gorgeous…
But she is bleaching just that she is extremely dark. Watch akis wedding video and see. I like her but I think all the celebrities bleach except annie McCauley
She doesn’t bleach! !
OK sir
Not dark….is you shape n your milk industry…….they r too dairy for the role……
Even if they like let them call all d bleaching bodys for their movies if u no dey inside we no go watch.
DATS UR OWN CUP OF TEA, UNGRATEFUL WOMAN..
go and fry bleach itself
Den go bleach.
Africa queen you are my role model
Ur pretty just d wy u are.
I don’t believe that. You’re a talented actress. Complexion shouldn’t be an issue for u at all
U are a real talent MJ. Don’t matter how many roles they don’t give you, you were born 4 this & will continue 2 shine brighter Amen. Keep soaring HIGH Champ. #D best there is
Then bleach naa if you you are not fair enough.
But does it really matter? Abeg ma no let am bother u, you are over beautiful.. It’s ur calling…
Hmmm na waohhh
Mercy black is beauty.
How? Your dark completion makes u look more pretty than now
U r grate at ur dark colour Mercy Johnson DT minde those stupid producer
Please don’t bleach
Hmmm most people comment like children. Did mercy tell that to any of you? We talk as if we do not have idea of how the media will make headlines to attract people. Mercy did not say she regrets being dark pls.
So you wan join (bleaching)????
U are d best jare
Nne stay dark we will always love u oooo
Thank you fr nt bleaching your skin, u didn’t create urself shame on dem
Don’t worry,you are still the best
Hmm, my dear. Black is beautiful. Appreciate what God has blessed you with, you are pretty.
lol…u still make it..at all cost..u r still LEGEND DEAR…
But you are almost in every movie
Why?dont you know your colour is fine and charming.
It does not matter.what matters most is you re enjoying where you re and what you re doing.remember a lot of people wish if they can be you.Black is pure ad original.mrs Mercy forget that thing…..your grammar in dumebi.
I love u mercy Johnson and I love that movie domebbi
Dats true my lecturer even mk mentioned of it ,dat once u r blck u will be deny som important roles in nollywood bt if u r fair u will get more roles
My bt u are stil d best no mata dak or lit
Black or not, u re still good
U r perfect d way u r . If she bleech e concern una?
but u made it after all congrate mercy
I’m proud of my skin ooooo
Make you baf the.
Don’t mind them you are gud the way you are ojare
but u still bleached afterall. so dats no news
Mercy Johnson what you said are true a lot of people today are celebrating you now because they see you have arrived and made it this same people celebrating you today are the same people rejecting you when you were newly acting they were saying den that you are too dark, your nose is Plat where did the movie industry bring this village girl from that did not wash this her dark sick before coming into movie industry as at then you where not their role model but today you have become their role model not only that their celebrity mother this and that they didn’t know that that your dark color is what carries your success of Grace you talked about and it is that your dark color was what appeals to the movie industry and that is why you are where you are today every man has one great thing God deposited in his or her life to make he or she become great. Mercy your dark color is the great thing God deposited in your live that made you great today and for ever. You where never denied it was only delaying now look at you today are you looking like whose destine was denied of course NO so we thank our God Almighty for His Grace and miracles in your live Amen.
is GOD grace really and may his grace be suficient to all of us also….
No mind them,
we love u just the way u are,
black or white
My dear don’t change ur skin color because u are fearfully and wonderful made,u are beautiful the way u are and I love u Mercy
Add me
My love please don’t mind them oo. Black is super beautiful
My friend was also complaining that yesterday….she said they take fair people in interview more than dark skinned girls,…”Nigerians re racist” she said. I laugh ehn
So you wan change ? Oya go.you go be like fried banana.
even me thought that ur skin is roasted on fire too
My dear, don’t worry. You rock
But I love u that way
proudly black
contact bobrisky,he ll advise u on wot to do