Actress Yvonne Nelson has disclosed that her decision to prioritize her education over acting resulted in her ban from the Ghana movie industry in 2010.
In her memoir titled ‘I Am Not Yvonne Nelson,’ the actress revealed that during that period, she was working on the set of ‘4Play Reloaded’ while in her final year at Central University.
She mentioned that the director, Abdul Salam Mumuni, who invited her to join the cast, was aware of her commitment to her education. Nelson didn’t want to defer or drop out of school and miss out on obtaining her degree.
Despite leaving campus and sacrificing her academic work for two days to be on set, the shoot did not happen due to the absence of a lead actor who was also involved in the Miss Malaika beauty pageant. Frustrated by missing crucial academic activities, Nelson informed Abdul Salam that she would not be available on set the following day.
This decision triggered an angry response from Abdul Salam, who launched a condescending attack on her. Nelson expressed disappointment in his reaction, as he was well aware of her commitment to her studies.
Afterward, she was not called back to the set, and a week later, she discovered that the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) had placed a ban on her. The narrative circulated at the time labeled her as “disrespectful” and “ungrateful,” leaving her disheartened by the lack of support from older colleagues, especially a female colleague.
Majid Michel was an exception and stood by her throughout the ordeal. He defended her and attempted to mediate with Abdul Salam, but their efforts were unsuccessful. However, later that year, David Owusu of Media Five Productions defied the ban and cast her in a movie.
Interestingly, Abdul Salam approached Nelson to resolve their differences and secretly shot two movies without the knowledge of other producers involved in the ban.
Despite the ban and the challenges she faced, that year turned out to be fruitful for Nelson as it opened doors of opportunities for her in the Nigerian film industry. She started receiving multiple movie offers during her trips to Nigeria, leading to financial success.
In summary, Yvonne Nelson’s prioritization of her education over acting resulted in her being banned from the Ghana movie industry in 2010. Despite the ban, she found success in the Nigerian film industry, which became a significant breakthrough for her career and financial growth.
Source –myjoyonline.com
