“Only a shallow mind believes that the lead role defines an actor’s worth –Tina Mba

Veteran Nollywood actress Tina Mba has expressed her disapproval of actors who chase only lead roles, calling such a mindset narrow and misguided.

In a heartfelt conversation on Lights, Camera, It’s Your Turn, hosted by actress Tope Olowoniyan, Mba shared her views on the richness and worth of every role in a film. For her, the obsession with always being the lead comes from a place of misunderstanding.

“Some actors convince themselves that once they’ve led a story, they must always remain at the center,” she reflected. “That belief is a fantasy. Every role, every character, has a pulse. To reduce supporting roles to something ‘lesser’ is to deny the art its full voice.”

Mba—celebrated for her emotional range and authenticity—highlighted that each performance, no matter its size, breathes life into the narrative. She recalled Pretty Woman, a classic Hollywood film, and pointed to an unexpected favorite.

“My heart goes to the street urchin who appeared briefly—just long enough to open and close the film,” she said, her voice filled with fondness. “The public may focus on the leads, and that’s understandable. But as actors, we should know better. What we serve is not status, but story.”

On the tendency of some to cling to the spotlight, she offered a measured response. “If that’s their path, I wish them peace. But for me, there are no small roles—only small-hearted performances.”

Her words have stirred a quiet contemplation among peers, inviting a deeper conversation about ego, humility, and the soulful value found in every corner of the stage.