AMVCA 2025 Trailblazer Award winner Chimezie Imo sat with media entrepreneur and talk show host Chude Jideonwo on the viral show #WithChude to discuss his journey in Nollywood—one marked by early struggles, industry pushback, and a breakthrough that changed everything.
Speaking on the emotional moment he received the Trailblazer Award, Imo admitted it caught him completely off guard. “I started getting calls from friends who were worried I wasn’t nominated. I didn’t feel entitled, but it got overwhelming—I had to log off Instagram for two days,” he said. “When they called my name, I stood up but didn’t even realize I was crying until I saw the video later. I was filled with gratitude.”
On his critically acclaimed role in Breath of Life, Imo said the connection was instant. “I almost didn’t go for the audition,” he revealed. “But when I finally read the script, I cried and started shaking. I knew it was something special. Breath of Life was meant for me.” The role has since positioned him as one of Nollywood’s most talked-about talents, earning both critical acclaim and audience praise.
Imo also spoke about his early struggles, including repeated rejections while auditioning for MTV Shuga. “After several auditions, I got dropped. But later, one of the directors said she wouldn’t direct if I wasn’t in it. They had to fire someone to bring me back.”
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