…By Dorcas Funmi for TDPel Media.
British-Nigerian actress Genoveva Umeh revealed that her decision to pursue a career in acting stemmed from her disappointment in failing a law exam during her first year of university.
Umeh shared this insight during her appearance on the ‘Is This Seat Taken’ podcast hosted by Chinasa Anukam.
Although acting had always been her passion, she initially studied law and later switched paths after her underwhelming performance in her first year.
Balancing Passion and Practicality
Umeh explained that while she chose to study law, she also felt the weight of her parents’ sacrifices as first-generation immigrants in the UK.
She did not want to pursue a course that she considered merely a hobby.
Initially, she viewed acting as a hobby and enjoyed it, but it was during her university years that she began contemplating a career in acting seriously.
Pivoting to Acting After Setbacks
The turning point came when Umeh failed her first-year law exams.
This setback prompted her to reevaluate her true aspirations instead of sticking to what she felt obligated to do.
It was at that moment that she decided to pursue her passion for acting wholeheartedly.
Umeh completed her law degree at the University of Surrey in England before making the move to Nigeria in 2018 to focus on her acting career.
She gained recognition for her roles in projects such as ‘Blood Sisters’ and ‘Far from Home.’