Femi Brainard Recalls How He Went From Nollywood Stardom to Driving Uber in the US for Survival

Femi Brainard, the acclaimed actor from Nigeria, recently shared candid insights into his life in the United States after relocating from Nigeria. Speaking on the King of Talk podcast with Teju Babyface, Brainard shed light on the challenges he encountered in the US, emphasizing that “America does not recognize your stardom.”

He recounted times when he had no money at all and had to rely on the generosity of friends to feed his entire family. In his own words, he explained in pidgin English, “Yankee no know star o, I am sorry but America does not recognize your stardom, nor does it respect your celebrity.”

Facing financial difficulties, Brainard revealed that he took on the role of an Uber driver to provide for his family. Despite his past success in Nollywood, he acknowledged that America’s perspective on celebrity status differs significantly.

“I was a lift driver too, and I did not care because my past is my past; I had to feed my family. I had no qualms with it, but when I carried Nigerians, they had qualms with it,” he shared. Brainard narrated an incident where a Nigerian couple he drove expressed shock at seeing him in that role, struggling to reconcile his celebrity status with his new job.

Femi Brainard, known for his exceptional performances in both English and Yoruba movies, took a hiatus from the industry in 2013 after his last appearance in ‘The Awakening.’ His journey in the US reflects the resilience and adaptability required to navigate life beyond the glitz and glamour of Nollywood fame.