Arese Ugwu's Struggle with Netflix: The Untold Story
Netflix's Rejection Nearly Crushed Me - Ugwu's Tearful Admittance
Ever felt defeated after a big setback? Nigerian author and filmmaker, Arese Ugwu, knows the feeling all too well. In an unfiltered conversation on the Afropolitan podcast, she revealed how she came close to crumbling when streaming giant, Netflix, refused to partner with her on a larger scale for her hit TV show, The Smart Money Woman.
At 39, Ugwu has made waves with her financial empowerment initiatives, particularly through The Smart Money Woman project. After season 1's successful run on Netflix and Africa Magic, climbing to the top 10 for 13 weeks on the platform, Ugwu boldly approached Netflix for sponsorship to amplify and refine the project. However, much to her dismay, she received a rejection that nearly shattered her spirits.
Ugwu expressed her disappointment, stating, “We were able to produce Season 1 of The Smart Money Woman and got a fantastic reception on Africa Magic and Netflix. We were in the top 10 for 13 weeks on Netflix. I then approached Netflix for sponsorship to make the project bigger and better, and shockingly, they turned me down. That rejection almost broke me."
Ugwu's desire isn't just to be a reputable author but also to cement herself as a formidable force in the filmmaking industry. She confesses, "I want to establish myself as a filmmaker. I feel like some people still see me as the girl who wrote a book and the book was turned into a TV series."
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- Arese Ugwu, having previously encountered rejection from Netflix regarding her hit TV show The Smart Money Woman, isn't just aspiring to be a reputable author, but also aims to establish herself as a formidable force in the Nollywood realm.
- Reportedly, Netflix might be planning to exit the Nigerian market, a speculation that has been making waves in the entertainment industry, including the movie-and-TV world and Nollywood.
- As a result of Netflix's reported decision to leave the Nigerian market, numerous projects have been cancelled, as confirmed by renowned filmmaker Kunle Afolayan.
- In an attempt to shed light on Netflix's struggles in Nigeria, comedian AY Makun recently discussed the challenges faced by filmmakers in the industry.
- Going against the grain, talented actor Davido has announced his new endeavor into acting, unveiling plans for a new movie series, intending to contribute to the resilient Afropolitan entertainment landscape in the face of adversity.
