Screen · Then & Now
Glow Up Files
From child stars to leading ladies — 5 kid celebrities now running the screen
By Angel Afemikhe
Remember those child actors you used to watch in old Nollywood movies? The ones who always seemed to be in one family drama or another. Well, some of them are now taking on bigger roles, producing films and building careers beyond the characters we first knew them for. Simply put, the young are growing and they are growing fast!
Here are five Nigerian actresses whose journeys show that becoming a leading lady can mean different things.
1. Regina Daniels
Regina Daniels started acting at seven in 2007, appearing in films such as Marriage of Sorrow. From playing younger characters, she moved into more mature projects, including A Little Favour (2022) and Netflix's Shanty Town (2023). She also produced The Enemy I Know, showing another side of her career beyond acting. Her journey hasn't been without interruptions, but her work reflects a laudable shift from child performer to actress and filmmaker.
2. Susan Pwajok
Many viewers remember Susan Pwajok as Blessing Johnson in The Johnsons. Since then, she's expanded into projects such as A Night in 2005 and Lowkey Adults. In Black Market (2026), she held a spot as an executive producer. After reportedly going two years without acting bookings, she decided to invest in her own projects instead of waiting for opportunities. Sometimes, the glow-up is learning to create your own seat at the table.
3. Angel Unigwe
Angel Unigwe began acting around the age of ten, with Alison's Stand (2015) among her early credits. Her performance in Light in the Dark helped establish her as a young actress to watch. Since then, she's continued working across film and television, including The Olive and Here Love Lies. Unlike someone who deliberately stepped away, Unigwe's journey reflects a relatively steady progression into more substantial roles. Now, Angel is taking up bigger roles that represent the versatile young woman she has become.
4. Sharon Ezeamaka
Sharon Ezeamaka started acting at five, but her story includes something many child stars don't talk about enough: taking a break. After stepping away for a while, she returned through projects including MTV Shuga and The Johnsons. She has spoken about wanting people to see her beyond the little girl they remembered.
5. Sharon Ifedi
Sharon Ifedi began acting in Asaba around 2016, with her mother helping her access auditions. She later took on a lead role in Gold Story. Her journey also involves balancing acting with education, including studying Mass Communication. Her experience reminds us that building a career while growing up comes with its own demands, and that education ought not to be sacrificed in the process of building a career.
Of course, these actresses haven't followed one identical path. Some kept working, some stepped away, and others began creating opportunities for themselves. Their childhood roles may have introduced them to us, but what they do next is a journey we're all waiting to experience.