By Ayo Onikoyi

Talent manager and publicist Omotola Slasha has expressed concern that many emerging creatives in Nigeria’s entertainment industry are not adequately prepared for the pressures that come with sudden fame.

Slasha spoke during an interview with Potpourri, where he shared his views on the evolving landscape of Nigerian talent, the influence of social media and the realities many creatives face behind the scenes.

Assessing the current state of Nigerian talent, Slasha said the industry is witnessing a generation that is redefining what success means, largely driven by digital platforms and direct audience engagement.

“Absolutely. Nigerian talent today is operating in a very different landscape from even five or ten years ago. My only worry is that social media has presented and promoted people that though are not the most creative but are famous and command attention,” he said.

According to him, one of the strengths of the new generation is its ability to bypass traditional industry gatekeepers and build audiences independently.

“The good side to the new generation is that they are not waiting for traditional gatekeepers anymore they are building audiences directly through digital platforms and using that influence to create opportunities for themselves,” he said.

He noted that the definition of success in the entertainment industry has evolved significantly over the years.

“Success used to be defined mainly by things like record deals, movie roles, or mainstream media exposure. Now, success can also mean building a strong personal brand, owning your content, collaborating globally, and monetizing multiple platforms at once.”

While acknowledging the opportunities that come with the digital era, Slasha also urged younger creatives to respect existing stakeholders and structures that have shaped the industry.

“What I find exciting is that many of these creatives are thinking beyond just being artists; they are becoming entrepreneurs, storytellers, and brand builders. They understand the value of intellectual property, community, and authenticity,” he said.

“So yes, the definition of success is expanding, and this generation is proving that impact, ownership, and sustainability can be just as important as popularity. If they can just add some respect to existing platforms, stakeholders it would be much more less chaotic as we should not because of the technological age rubbish the people who have been working to make a meaning of the creative space.”

Speaking on the pressures that come with sudden visibility, Slasha said social media has made it possible for talents to gain fame almost overnight, often without the support structures needed to manage such attention.

“To be honest, many talents are not fully prepared for it, and that’s not necessarily their fault. Social media can accelerate visibility in ways that traditional talent development structures never anticipated. Someone can go viral overnight and suddenly have thousands or even millions of people watching their every move,” he said.