RITA DOMINIC WILL SEE YOU NOW

ENTER: RITA DOMINIC WILL SEE YOU NOW



Written By Oluwaseun Adenuga

Previously when certain Nigerian actresses were accepting foreign labels as the best things to happen to our film industry, I was quick to join the bandwagon and share those sentiments. I like everybody may have been blinded-sided by the hype. However, couple years down the line the true color of said situation is coming to fore. Mention Nollywood and 3 actresses instantly appear synonymously: Genevieve, Omotola and Rita, in that order. Whether that order is dead-on isn’t the bone of contention right now, the deep-rooted misconception about fame and merit is the crux of this missive.

As the Nollywood gods of fame and fortune dictates, Genevieve with her good looks and screen charm is to lead the pack of our tinseltown’s screen divas. And she has come a long way. From small-town girl to international phenomenon, there’s little left in the way of hindrance for this movie star. She almost has done it all. First ever Nigerian, if not African actress to get endorsement from Oprah as the ‘Julia Roberts of Africa’. A beautiful daughter, shelf of endorsement deal, internationally acclaimed box office movies and awards later, Gene as she’s fondly called apparently has conquered the Nigerian thespian terrain.

Omotola on the other hand is a bombshell in every sense of the world. She may not lay claim to the high-octane fame or countless endorsements of Genevieve but she comes seriously close [some would even contest she’s more famous]. Can she act? Rhetorical question. If her body of good movies doesn’t prove her acting prowess, the one movie ‘Mortal Inheritance’ that shot her to global limelight should seal the deal. A happy marriage, mega successful career and a reality TV show later, she’s no doubt etched her name in the sand of time as one of the best actresses on the African continent.

Truthfully, at first I couldn’t be bothered by the theatrics that is Rita. In my book she was just another wishy-washy actress but looks they say can be deceptive. Though she’s got tons of movies to her credit, hardly any merits the cut of critical in my books. It would appear as though what Rita was up to over the years was stirring the soup, now that it’s fully cooked, she ready to serve it to us, steamy hot.

Genevieve and Omotola may hold the gun in the leagues of globally recognized stars but dare I say no actress, I repeat no actress in present Nigeria can hold the light to Rita Dominic’s face. While the other 2 and a host of other actresses are busy raking in the fame or 4 mediocrity as the case may be, Rita is carving a niche for herself as both a commercial and critical actress. There is nothing Genevieve or Omotola has done in their movies that we haven’t seen before; same ‘ol routine: scorned girlfriend, independent woman, rich daughter, village girl or broken hearted girl.

Rita has gone past that common territory and is pushing the envelope. Check her out in her new movies: The Meeting, Shattered and ’76, then get back to me on who is truly the queen of acting in Nigeria now. It’s one thing to be rich and famous in one’s chosen field but what truly makes a true artiste is the ability to constantly rebrand and up the ante. I categorically endorse Rita Dominic as knocking the ball out of that park. Still in doubt, enter her world, she will see you now.