Nigerian actress Beverly Osu has opened up about her struggles with depression following her role in the critically acclaimed film Òlòtūré. According to Osu, the experience of portraying her character left a lasting impact on her mental health, plunging her into a three-month bout of depression.
In a candid interview with BBC Pidgin, Osu shared that her role in the Netflix original film Òlòtūré had a profound impact on her mental well-being. As a method actor, Osu revealed that her intense immersion in the character left her struggling with her own identity and mental health. She explained, “What we are is what they call method actors. I can’t just read a script, execute it, and then in two days become another person. It takes a lot of mental detox before I can enter into another character.”
Osu disclosed that after shooting Òlòtūré, she experienced an identity crisis that led to depression. “When I shot Òlòtūré and left the set, I was depressed for three months because of an identity crisis. I was trying to search and piece together fragments of Beverly in order to bring myself back.”
Despite the challenges she faced, Osu’s experience motivated her to become a mental health advocate. She credited her upbringing and experiences in the entertainment industry as key factors that inspired her to leverage her platform for good. Osu shared, “I’ve noticed that many people neglect it. I hear testimonies where people tell me, ‘Beverly, the way you carry yourself inspires me,’ or ‘What you said helped me understand myself before trying to understand others.’ Those words give me joy. I don’t want my work on earth to be in vain because I won’t stop until I accomplish my purpose.”
As Osu continues to build her career and advocacy efforts, her story serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking support when needed.
