The Story ⚡
Bisola Aiyeola is at the centre of a data controversy in Nollywood over her ranking on the highest-grossing supporting actress list in FilmOne’s 2024 Box Office Yearbook, with her management company, Temple, disputing the ranking.
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On January 28th, 2024, FilmOne published its annual yearbook, which included a ranking list of the top 10 highest-grossing supporting actresses in Nollywood. The list sparked controversy when it was revealed that actress Bisola Aiyeola was ranked 4th, with her box office credits limited to only two movies, “Ajosepo” and “Muri & Ko.”
Bisola Aiyeola’s management company, Temple, quickly issued a press statement expressing their disagreement with the ranking. The statement, titled “FilmOne’s Highest Grossing Actors’ List Faulted, Bisola Aiyeola Was Cheated,” asserted that the actress was unfairly represented in the rankings. Temple called for an urgent review of the ranking methodology and data aggregation process to ensure accuracy and fairness.
In their statement, Temple noted that Bisola Aiyeola’s contributions to the year’s cinematic achievements were misrepresented. Specifically, they pointed out that her significant role as Madam Bassey in the movie “Everybody Loves Jenifa” was omitted from her box office aggregation. This omission, according to Temple, was a clear error that affected Aiyeola’s ranking. The company requested that FilmOne reevaluate the data and provide a revised ranking that accurately reflects Aiyeola’s achievements.
In response to Temple’s statement, FilmOne issued a press release clarifying their selection criteria for the ranking. According to FilmOne, a performer must have appeared in at least one film that grossed a minimum of 20 million Naira within the eligibility period to qualify for the ranking.
Additionally, the performer must be designated as a lead or supporting actor in the film, and their selection must be validated by the producers and executive producers.
Per the clarification provided by FilmOne, it reveals that the list was compiled based on the production company that made “Everybody Loves Jenifa” submission as a supporting actress, which has raised questions about the accuracy of the ranking and the role of production companies in determining the categorization of actors’ roles.
In Summary
The list of highest-grossing supporting actresses in Nollywood is necessary for recognizing and celebrating the achievements of talented actresses who contribute significantly to the success of films. It provides a benchmark for measuring the commercial success of actresses and can serve as a motivational tool for upcoming actresses. The list also helps to promote transparency and accountability in the industry by providing a clear and objective measure of an actress’s box office performance.
Furthermore, it can aid in negotiations for future film projects, as actresses can use their ranking to demonstrate their value to producers and negotiate better contracts.
On the other hand, the list of highest-grossing supporting actresses can be seen as unnecessary and potentially divisive. It can create unhealthy competition among actresses and perpetuate the notion that an actress’s worth is solely determined by her box office performance.
Additionally, the list may not accurately reflect an actress’s talent, versatility, or impact on the industry, as it only considers commercial success. The controversy surrounding Bisola Aiyeola’s ranking also highlights the potential for errors and biases in the compilation of the list, which can undermine its credibility and usefulness.
