Nollywood actor Nonso Diobi has shared how his striking resemblance to veteran actress Hilda Dokubo played a pivotal role in securing his first acting gig in the Nigerian film industry.
During an interview on Nollywood Hardcore, Diobi recounted the moment Dokubo’s observation at an audition led to his debut in the 2001 film Borderline.
“In 2001, I went to a movie location where auditions were ongoing, and I started hearing people calling out to me,” he said. “When I got closer, Hilda Dokubo said, ‘This young boy looks like me. He can play my brother.’”
At the time, Diobi had been struggling to break into Nollywood for three years, attending over 1,000 auditions without success. Surprisingly, his first role came without the need to audition.
“That was how I got my first role after three years and more than 1,000 auditions,” he explained. “The movie, Borderline, was shot in Enugu, and I appeared in seven scenes.”
Reflecting on his early struggles, Diobi described how repeatedly attending auditions helped him hone his craft, even when he wasn’t cast.
“When I entered the industry, I didn’t know much about acting, so I went to auditions not just for roles but to learn from the professionals,” he said. “There were no film schools or formal tutorials back then, so auditions became my training ground.”
The actor, who recently revealed that he took a break from acting to acquire new skills, emphasized the importance of persistence and learning.
Diobi’s journey highlights the role of determination and fortuitous moments in building a successful career.