Nollywood actor and singer Ray Emodi has clarified that his decision to step back from acting was driven by his passion for music and not by traumatic experiences or family pressure, as earlier speculated.
The entertainer made the clarification during an interview on Television Continental, where he addressed reports suggesting he quit Nollywood under distressing circumstances.
Emodi explained that he never formally left acting but deliberately slowed down his screen appearances to concentrate on music, which he described as his true calling.
According to him, claims that he abandoned acting due to negative experiences were inaccurate and misrepresented his personal and professional journey. He stressed that the shift was a conscious and strategic choice aimed at nurturing his long-standing love for music.
“I didn’t quit acting because of trauma or family pressure. I never quit acting. I only stopped acting for a while to focus on what my calling truly is, which is music,” Emodi said during the interview.
He added that his commitment to music predates his acting career, noting that creativity in sound had always been central to his identity.
Tracing his musical roots, Emodi revealed that he began writing and recording songs during his primary school years, long before he gained recognition in the film industry.
He recalled attending nursery and primary school in Enugu and later studying in Los Angeles, explaining that regardless of where he lived or studied, music remained a constant part of his life.
“Every single place I went, I was recording music,” he said, emphasising the depth of his dedication.
The actor also disclosed that his decision to study acting in the United States was partly a strategic move to gain entry into the country and pursue a music career. He explained that enrolling in an acting programme at the New York Film Academy’s Los Angeles campus allowed him to secure a visa, as gaining entry for music studies alone was more challenging at the time.
Emodi admitted that while his plan to land a record deal in the US did not materialise, the experience proved valuable in shaping his creative outlook.
After returning to Nigeria in 2015, Emodi continued to make music, even as financial constraints made the journey difficult. He said acting became a means of sustaining himself financially while he invested in studio sessions, producers, engineers and music videos.
“Music wasn’t bringing in money immediately, so I had to use acting to support my music,” he explained.
Despite the fame that acting brought him, Emodi said his focus has always been on impact rather than celebrity status. He acknowledged that acting introduced him to a wide audience but expressed confidence that music would ultimately allow him to reach people on a deeper level.
“I don’t really care about fame. I care about impact,” he said, adding that meaningful influence naturally attracts recognition and success.
Emodi concluded by reaffirming his commitment to music as a tool for positive change, insisting that his career decisions have always been guided by purpose rather than public perception.
