Nollywood actress Bimbo Thomas has revealed why she deliberately moved away from playing “thug” and street-tough roles despite gaining widespread recognition for her performance in Funke Akindele’s hit film Omo Ghetto.
Speaking in an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Thomas said the decision was driven by her desire to showcase her versatility and avoid being boxed into a single character type.
According to the actress, she was conscious of the industry’s tendency to stereotype actors, a pattern she feared could limit her long-term growth. She explained that while the move was intentional, it came with significant sacrifices.
“As a thespian, I really wanted to showcase my versatility and other sides of myself apart from what God has used Funke Akindele to do,” she said. “In this part of the world, actors get stereotyped and typecast, and I knew I had more to offer than being boxed into one role.”
Thomas admitted that stepping back from such roles slowed her career momentum, particularly because she had not yet fully established herself at the time. She noted that the decision led to fewer acting opportunities, financial setbacks, and strained relationships.
“Looking back, the decision may not have been right at the time because I was not yet fully established,” she said. “That choice slowed things down for me. I lost roles, I lost money, and even some friendships.”
The actress also revealed that her situation was compounded by motherhood, as she had a baby around the same period and needed to shift focus to her family. She added that endorsement deals helped her stay afloat during the challenging phase.
Despite the setbacks, Thomas maintained that her decision came from a place of long-term vision and self-belief, emphasising that her goal has always been to grow beyond one-dimensional roles and build a sustainable, well-rounded career in Nollywood.
