Nollywood actor and director Daniel Etim-Effiong has revealed that he prays before filming romantic scenes, saying his faith keeps him grounded despite the demands of his profession.
The actor, who made his directorial debut with The Herd, said he often seeks divine guidance before performing kissing scenes on set, a practice he described as “part of his worship.”
“I get all my inspiration from God,” Etim-Effiong said during an interview on Channels TV’s Rubbin’ Minds. “I go on my knees and pray before I go to set and kiss.”
Etim-Effiong, who has faced public criticism for his romantic roles, particularly after a viral clip from Summer Rain showed him kissing actress Bolaji Ogunmola, said his focus remains on storytelling, not controversy.
“The fact that I play a lot of romantic roles means I get to have kissing scenes sometimes. But the question should go to the producers, why are they expressing affection only one way? There are other ways to show intimacy,” he said.
The 37-year-old actor, who quit a successful career in engineering to pursue acting, said his journey is rooted in purpose.
“My family is my garden, then my work. Acting feels like a calling to me, a way to worship through storytelling,” he added.
Daniel Etim-Effiong also explained why producers continue to include romantic scenes in movies, saying it’s simply market demand.
“The average Nollywood script says, ‘kiss passionately,’ because that’s what sells. But I believe there are braver ways to explore affection on screen,” he said.
Despite the attention around his roles, Etim-Effiong insists that faith, focus, and family remain his compass. “When you’re a focused person, you don’t let naysayers get to you,” he said. “You just do your job and move with purpose.”
