By our Reporter
A Nigerian actor, Femi Brainard, has related his experience relocating to the United States from his home base, having to become a cab driver to sustain his family and now prefers to wear an identity as a Nollywood celebrity at home.
The Nollywood actor, who is a producer, actor and a show runner said that the harsh economic reality currently faced by Nigerians, it is better to be recognized as a celebrity where he belongs.
In a recent interview with the veteran comedian Teju Oyelakin, known as BabyFace on his podcast, the Nollywood act opened up, as a way of conscientising young Nigerian seeking the proverbial Greener Pastures by saying that, “I became a cab driver in America just to put food on the table.”
Whenever people see me, especially Nigerian passengers, they often stare at me in disbelief, wondering if I’m indeed the familiar star they recognise.”He expressed the fact that, back in the US, the country neither recognize your stardom, nor respect your celebrity as a foreigner.
According to him, his wife never liked the idea of living abroad as he shared more insights on the realities associated with relocation, saying there were occasions he pitied his wife based on the way they suffered together.
He revealed that, back in America, the bills are overwhelming and sometimes he got so broke that he went to the parking lot and shed tears.
As if this was not enough, Bernard said there were also moments he faced the humiliation of meeting Nigerians who would be shocked at his poor living condition.
He cautioned Nigerians may be desperate to ‘japa’ by saying that, “At times it would be so hard, I no go get money for hand. That day I went to the parking lot of our apartment, I cried, na me bring this woman here. Yankee no know star o… I had to feed my family.
“I know these couple from the airport, the husband was like, ‘ask him if he is Femi Brainard and I said yes. The husband didn’t know when he reached at me and asked ‘bros what are you doing here.”
Femi Bernard insists he prefers his status as a celebrity in Nigeria to what he experienced abroad: “As difficult as Nigeria seems to be, I would rather be a prince and a celebrity in a system that is not working than come to this place and be a nobody. I am still bothered about rent.”
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