It Is Time For Soma Anyama To Ditch My Siblings And I and Become A Serious Actor

Big Brother Naija: See Gobbe housemate Soma Anyama is one of the ex-reality stars finding their feet in Nollywood. We have seen his fellow housemate TBoss on screen – she was the slain queen of Ocholuje in Mnet Original Drama “Ajoche” among other appearances. I saw Alex of Double Wahala in “Merry Men 2” and she was decent and when I have nothing better to do, I watch Mnet “Hustle” which has Toby Bakre in it. Bisola is something of an A-star today but she didn’t start acting after Big Brother – she was a talented entertainer long before “See Gobbe” – so also Bassey.

Among the housemates who took to acting after the show, Soma is one of the most assured to become a big star in the near future. He has the height, the looks, the voice, and the name recognition to launch his career to the summit. Mind you, Soma also identifies as a musician but because I have never heard him sing, I will only urge him on in the career I know about. The career I know about is acting and he is not firing from all cylinders on it. I have mainly seen him in one show – My Siblings And I and it is time to ditch this show and move on to more serious endeavors.

But Soma Anyama is not even among the biggest star in the show

The biggest star in “My Siblings And I” is Funke Akindele-Bello. It also turns out it is her show, she created it so acting on it is like a nobleman fighting for his House’s ancestral castle (Remember Game of Thrones) – it is about his family legacy for the nobleman; it is about her personal hustle for Funke Akindele, it is her baby. Soma is just a sellsword.

Even at that, Ms. Bello isn’t such a regular in “My Siblings”; she comes and goes whenever she has a more rewarding show. She directed and starred in “Your Excellency”; she was in the fine “Moms At War” film and the terrible but mega-profitable “Chief Daddy”; and dozens more while featuring in “My Siblings”.

For Patrick Doyle, he has made his name in the industry and he isn’t also such a regular in the show. Jide Kosoko, too, is a legend and a guest star in the show. The rest of the cast are small stars or beginners who can afford to stay on the set of “My Siblings And I” for longer periods. Not Soma. He needs to move on to more serious endeavors that would cement his name among the fifth generation stars of the industry. He should not look at stars who are advancing their personal business and who are using “My Siblings And I” as their retirement plan. He should look at himself as a star with urgent eyes and move on.

What exactly is wrong with My Siblings And I?

I have written an extensive review of the show here. Go read it. The show is not critically rich and becoming a star in a B show will not earn you accolades. If “My Siblings” was “Tinsel” or “Ajoche”, I will understand that he is involved in a serious show people respect and watch keenly. But you can’t say that for “My Siblings And I”.

I don’t know who Soma Anyama looks at but he can’t be looking at James and Samson actors of My Siblings. With due respect for the actors, they are not in Anyama’s level. Soma should look at Lota Chukwu, his girlfriend in “Jenifa’s Diary”. She also started with a comedy show but I don’t think she had more than a few dozens of episodes in the show. In contrast, Soma has now been on My Siblings And I for close to 300 episodes. How far do you think Lota Chukwu’s career would have fared if she was in “Jenifa’s Diary” for 300 episodes? Don’t shudder.

Soma Anyama should look at Efa Iwara of Tosin Igho’s “Seven“. He should look at Akah Nnani, the star of “Ajoche” and many productions. He should look at Uche Nwaefuna. He should look at Swanky JKA. He should look at Uzor Arukwe. He should look at Bimbo Ademoye and Zainab Balogun. He should look at Alvin Abayomi. These are the guys who would run the next generation of Nollywood. You may say they are more talented than Soma Anyama but I don’t believe you. Soma is super-talented: all he needs do is come out of the backwaters of a terrible series and shine. There is no gain in the head of a fish.

Perhaps, he is already done with the show since you can never tell when they are on the set and not; if so, good for him. But if he is still in the show, he needs to get out now. Otherwise, people might begin to associate him with C-grade acting and continue to overlook him when they need actors for serious gigs.

In Ramsey Nouah’s devil’s voice, The clock is ticking.

Image source: Vibe.ng