Taka Tanni, Cameroonian actress and entertainer says she turned down a $50,000 movie deal from Hollywood producers because of the role they wanted her to play – nude role.
She told the Journal that they persuaded her into the role early this year. Once she signed up the deal and came to find out the role they wanted her to play, she said, she couldn’t do it for conscience reasons.
Asked how she first got the connection with Hollywood, Taka who shuttles between homes in Maryland and California, said “First was by emails, then phone calls and then a tentative contract had to be signed. But as usual, I asked how much with the offer, I asked the role brief. I was sent a script. Then I turned it down.”
She said she has been going to Hollywood auditions, films, TV series and have been called for minor roles and have never been offered such amount of money that was offered on this occasion. “Going back, I declined because I have values.” She said.
Taka said her Christian values won’t allow her to play such a role, no matter the amount of money.
“I have family values, I am a Christian, born and raised. I respect my culture, family and my country. I have a lot of people who look up to me. Believe it or not, I have a reputation to protect contrary to what some people may think.” She said.
What does she think about her contemporaries who won’t mind taking on such roles? The Journal asked.
“It’s their decision, if it makes who they are, well, that’s them and I am me.” She said.
Taka who describes herself as a philanthropist, a mother, and as someone who sponsors school kids back in Cameroon through scholarship said, regarding her resolve to turn down the nude money, “I think about children who will grow up, young girls lost and looking for directions, ladies who are looking for a way to express themselves, and I think feminism is not through nudity.” She argued.
But a flurry of Taka’s photos on social media somewhat do not appear to present her with the kind of image she wants others to think. We asked her; “In most of your social media photos you look almost half naked. Doesn’t that contradict the kind of moral values you are advocating?
“All those pictures are pictures taken on set or events I attend.” She said. “None of them is a photo shoot. And besides, why should Cameroonian actresses be so stigmatized? I have dressers/ designers but if it’s too much an issue, I’ll have a photo shoot. But dressing does not make a person. I sponsor kids back home through a scholarship program. Does it make me a none moral person? I am a woman, mother, an artist, a philanthropist. It does not change me dear.”
Taka who is moving permanently to California says she wants to pursue a clothing line of her own while continuing to feature in movies. She has featured in a number of Nollywood movies including “My Angels,” and “Beautiful Angels,” alongside frontline Nollywood actress and actor Nadia Buari and Ramsey Noah.
