It's Called Grace...

I’ve always wondered about the special grace that comes with star power, especially with celebrities. It’s said that when you get your fifteen minutes of fame if you’re smart with how you handle it, you could be set for life. If not, all the opportunities that come with it, you’ll simply lose it. Because no matter what, that fame will bring loads of opportunities your way. Whether you expect it or not.

We’ve seen people who get famous due to one random thing or the other and their lives are changed as a result. An upcoming artist can go viral and that would be his first foray into stardom, a skit maker can make one viral comedy, or have one popular punchline that would be his ticket into the movie industry. And then, because of that one person, doors could basically be opening up for others. And as they open for others, it’d be opening for them as well.

One thing we’ve noticed is how celebrities never waste time to identify with whoever it is that’s trending. From gifting cars, and gifting cash and other forms of gifts, they’re never shy when it comes to putting themselves out there. It’s always a smart strategy because it keeps them in the face of people. And for artists, many of them look for hot upcoming artists to feature in songs, knowing that their star power would cover them as well.

However, the one that boggles my mind most is the movie industry, especially in Hollywood. One person alone can be the reason an entire franchise can be made or can be stopped. It’s no news that because of one person’s mistake or stupidity, a movie worth hundreds of millions of dollars could be abandoned. All because of one person. But then, because of one person as well, some people can also have jobs and flourishing careers.

One major example is Keanu Reeves. He was already a major action star before he starred in John Wick, but that movie shot him into an even more global limelight. It was so successful that the movie went on to have multiple sequels, a prequel series, and even a spin-off that would be released later this year. But it didn’t just end there. I'm of the opinion that the only reason we got The Matrix 4 was released was because the studios wanted to ride on his star power. And just because of him, actors, crew, and other talents were able to get a job and get some money.

Another major example is the Big Bang Theory series which was a big hit. When it concluded, a prequel series was released titled Young Sheldon, and here, fans so much loved the character of Georgie that the producers greenlit his own show which is currently airing. Or should I talk about Breaking Bad that went on to birth Better Call Saul because of how much the fans loved the character?

Hobbs and Shaw was possible because fans loved the chemistry between The Rock and Jason Statham in the Fast and Furious Franchise. I can’t even begin to talk about all the spin-offs of The Walking Dead. This shows that in the movie industry, if the fans like a particular character you play, then that can be the pathway to way more opportunities. Because of one person, more people can have more jobs and be able to grow even more.

Bringing this to Nollywood, we also have examples here. A good one is Jenifa. What many people don’t know is that Jenifa is quite an extensive franchise. The first installment was released in 2008, and it was such a hit that it won the actress, Funke Akindele a number of awards and nominations. It went on to have a sequel called The Return Of Jenifa that was released in 2011. In 2015, a reboot began. It was the series Jenifa’s Diaries. This one was very popular, and it also made other newbie actors mainstream.

The franchise expanded further with Aiyetoro Town and Jenifa On Lockdown which were released in 2019 and 2021 respectively. And now, the most successful film in the franchise was released in December of 2024. It was Everybody Loves Jenifa and it even grossed over a billion naira at the box office. Showing how successful it was.

If this were in Hollywood, she would probably have her game, comics, and novels out by now. Anything at all to keep the fans happy. But I’m sure you get what I’m saying here. The fans have always loved Funke’s portrayal of Jenifa and as a result, she has never backed down from giving us back-to-back movies and series.

For every movie or series she makes, that’s jobs and employment. Not just for the actors, but also crew of the production. So you see? It’s all because the fans love Jenifa. I know that this won’t be the final installment. There will surely be another one to come in the near future, and when it comes, I’ll still go to the cinema to watch it.

I know that movie studios and producers greenlit all these movies and series simply to make money, by capitalizing on the star power of the individuals and the characters… but still, it doesn’t take away from the fact just how awesome it is.

So, why am I saying all this? Honestly, it all simply crossed my mind and I wanted to share it. Anything worth doing is definitely worth doing well. Because you have no idea where you will go from there. That very thing you’re doing could be the one thing that will be your saving grace. But not for you alone, but for hundreds of others who will come to rely on it for sustenance.

That is the special grace I’m talking about.