VETERAN Nigerian actor Bimbo Manuel has said that no actor can purchase a Range Rover with the income he/she gets paid to feature in any movie.
While speaking as a guest on the TVC live show ‘Your View’, the 66-year-old actor opened up about the financial challenges faced by Nollywood male actors. He addressed the question of whether Nigerian actors could afford high-end vehicles through their acting careers alone.
During the conversation, the actor addressed a host’s observation that Hollywood actors openly disclose their fees, whereas Nollywood actors rarely do. He attributed this disparity to differing industry norms.
“The actors you see flaunting Range Rovers and mansions in Ikoyi are living fake lives. No actor in Nigeria would say he or she can buy a Range Rover from acting fees alone,” he said
According to him, he prioritises humility and realism, eschewing the pressure to maintain a flamboyant lifestyle.
The starting prices for the exotic car range from $42,650 (N72,505,000) for the Range Rover Evoque base trim to $178,500 (N303,150,000) for the Range Rover top-level trim.
Several entertainers previously aired their opinions on the long-standing controversy surrounding Nollywood actors’ sources of income.
In 2022, Ali Baba, the comedian, took a swipe at Nollywood actresses who flaunt unexplained wealth.
Funsho Adeolu, the Nollywood actor, also echoed the comedian’s sentiment, questioning the sources of wealth of some of his female colleagues.
Responding, Ini Edo, the film star, slammed critics who question the sources of wealth of actresses, saying such a “conversation is a sad one”.
Edo said actors and actresses do not need an open declaration of assets because of “people’s validation”.
Eighteen-Eleven Media