Popular Nollywood actor Pat Attah has opened up about his decision to leave the Nigerian film industry and relocate to Germany. In a recent chat with Teju Babyface, Attah shared insights into the pressures and expectations that led him to make this significant life change.
Attah, who gained fame in the late 90s and early 2000s with notable roles in films such as ‘Spirit of Love’, ‘Extreme Measures’, ‘Colour of Money’, and ‘Never Believe Me’, explained that his initial motivation for entering the entertainment industry was his passion for the arts rather than the pursuit of fame.
“When I got into the entertainment industry, I was not necessarily doing it for fame, I was doing it for the passion, the passion I have for the arts,” said the 48-year-old actor.
As his fame grew, Attah found himself increasingly constrained by the public’s expectations. He felt the pressure of living up to the image that came with his celebrity status, which ultimately led him to seek a break and a place where he could live more freely.
“Fame was not my goal when I got into entertainment, so when it got really too much, I felt like I was not living the normal life I would like to live. I was basically living my life for people. Because when you are famous, you automatically become a role model to a lot of people, there are certain things you want to do freely that you are restricted from doing to a large extent,” Attah elaborated.
He highlighted the everyday activities he felt unable to enjoy due to his celebrity status in Nigeria. “You do not want people to think, ‘Why would Pat Attah get into a taxi? Why would he get on a bus? Why would he be riding a bicycle on the street?’ I was not living as freely as I would love to be. That is why I decided to take a break and go to a place where I know people also know me, but not as much as back home.”
