Annie Idibia says her dream was for her face to be sellable, as she reflects on her humble beginnings and how grace has turned her story around.
Nollywood actress Annie Macaulay Idibia is taking a walk down memory lane and appreciating how far she’s come in the Nigerian film industry.
Sharing on her Instagram page, the mother of two opened up about her early career hustle as a budding actress. She recalled how she used to drive the long route from UNILAG through Surulere just to catch a glimpse of movie posters, hoping her face would be featured.
“I remember how I usually took the long route, driving to school (UNILAG), so that I could check all the recent movie posters through Surulere to see if any of my new movies were out and if they put my face on the posters!”
At the time, her dream wasn’t just to land roles—it was to have her face considered “sellable” enough by marketers to earn a front spot on promotional materials.
“The dream then wasn’t just to get the roles but to pray that the marketers would see your face as sellable enough to make the front poster!”
Fast-forward to now, Annie says grace has found her, and the tables have turned. She’s now the one selecting which films to lend her energy and name to.
“Now na dem dey rush us o.
Now, na we dey choose which kain film we put our energy, our face and even our name o. Pow pow pow pow!”
From Grass to Grace
This isn’t the first time Annie has reflected on her journey. Last year, she shared throwback photos, calling her life a story of a little girl with a big dream—from grass to “Grace Unlimited.” She announced a new personal journey focused on self-love, saying she was prioritizing herself for the first time in a long while.
Also in 2023, Annie was honored as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Africa. The recognition celebrated her talent, social impact, and dedication to women’s empowerment across business, fashion, and entertainment.
Her resilience and story have been consistent. In a previous Glamour Magazine cover story, Annie opened up about growing up in a cramped one-bedroom apartment with her three brothers, helping her mother in her food business, and being known as “the cook’s daughter.”
And despite her well-publicized marital struggles, Annie continues to thrive. She once boldly stated that she could stop working for two years and still live in comfort, revealing that her inbox stays buzzing with brand deals and opportunities.
Also Read:Annie Idibia Speaks About Moving On After Divorce from 2Baba