Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Peju Johnson, has said that despite her public profile, some aspects of her life deserve to remain private, stressing the need to protect her peace and personal space from public scrutiny.
Johnson, who spoke in an interview with Saturday Beats, explained that being in the entertainment industry does not mean celebrities must make every detail of their personal lives available for public consumption.
The actress said she deliberately keeps her relationships, family affairs and emotional struggles away from the spotlight to allow herself the freedom to grow without being subjected to public opinions.
“I have deliberately kept certain aspects of my personal life, especially my private relationships, family matters, and emotional struggles, away from the public. I believe that being a public figure does not mean every part of one’s life has to be open for public discussion. My career allows people to see me on their screens, but there is also a side of me that deserves peace, privacy, and room to grow without public opinions influencing every decision.”
Johnson also spoke about the expectations that accompany celebrity status, noting that although she values her fans’ support, she has learnt that pleasing everyone should not come at the expense of her individuality.
“I appreciate my fans deeply, and their support means a lot to me. However, I have learnt that I cannot satisfy everybody. My responsibility is to keep improving my craft and give my best to the people who support my work. I believe you can appreciate your audience without losing yourself in their expectations,” she said.
On criticism of her filmmaking style, particularly her preference for romantic stories, Johnson maintained that every filmmaker has a unique approach to storytelling and should be allowed to explore genres that resonate with them.
She noted that love and relationships remain part of everyday human experiences, making romance a subject she enjoys portraying in her productions.
“Some people have criticised me for producing a lot of love stories, but I believe every filmmaker has a style and a way of telling stories that connect with them. Romance is one of the genres I enjoy exploring, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with telling stories about love and relationships because they are a part of everyday life.
“I don’t see criticism as a reason to doubt my vision; rather, I take what is constructive from it and keep learning. One cannot please everybody, and I believe that as long as one is passionate about one’s work and committed to improving, one should not allow people’s opinions to discourage one from doing what one loves.”
