Toluwani George shares how acting found her while she was searching for direction, the breakthrough that changed everything, and the resilience that has shaped her career.

Nollywood actress Toluwani George has opened up about her film journey, saying acting came into her life while she was still trying to understand where she truly belonged.

In an interview with Guardian Life, the actress explained that her path into the industry was not something she planned from the beginning, but something she discovered while exploring different possibilities.

“I am a strong believer of trying hands of different things (legal and moral) till you find your path in life.
“Acting happened to be one of the things I tried my hands on at the time, and that’s how I found my path,” she explained.

George, whose real name is Toluwanimi Osaile, said she is 25 years old and was raised and educated in Ibadan before moving into the creative industry.

“I was raised and schooled in Ibadan. Graduated from the University of Ibadan in 2020 after studying Adult Education.” she said.

The actress also spoke about her heritage, describing herself as biracial with a blend of Nigerian and Lebanese roots.
“I am biracial with Lebanese genes mixed with the beautiful spice of Osun State,” she added.

Defining moment on Wura

George described her role in the Showmax series Wura as the moment that confirmed her decision to stay in acting.
“WURA was my defining moment,” she said.

She recalled receiving the audition call for the long-running series and quickly realising that the experience would change how she saw the craft.

“I got a call to audition for a long-term series for Showmax. I got the role and even through the late nights filming and the hectic shoot days, the minute the cameras were on, and the Director called ‘action’, I was up, active and ready to deliver my best every time.”

According to her, the demanding schedule did not discourage her. Instead, it strengthened her commitment to the profession.

“The fact that I was always eager to show up showed how much I loved and enjoyed it, and I decided to just keep going,” she added.

Learning to move through fear

Reflecting on the lessons she has learned so far, George said one of the most important is learning to act even when confidence is not complete.

“Do it unsure and do it scared. You don’t have to be perfect or have it all figured out, just do it,” she said.
That mindset, she noted, has helped her approach opportunities in the industry with courage rather than hesitation.

Playing emotionally demanding roles

Speaking about her character in Wura, George explained that portraying a loving sister to a misunderstood older brother was emotionally taxing.

“Playing a loving sister to a misunderstood older brother was quite a lot,” she said.

She explained that the emotional dynamic between the characters required deep empathy and vulnerability.
“I felt like I was the only one who truly knew him, saw him and loved every part of him unconditionally but still didn’t have much of a voice so I was helpless in a way.”

According to the actress, performing such scenes required emotional honesty and openness.

“That required a lot of vulnerability and openness and it required very raw unfiltered emotions per time,” she noted.

Why Benefactor stood out

George also spoke about accepting the role of Tuntunlade in the film Benefactor, saying the project appealed to her for both creative and personal reasons.

Reflecting on her experience working with industry professionals, the actress said her relationship with colleagues has been largely positive so far.

“So far, so good,” she said.

Explaining her decision to take the role, she added, “I accepted the role to play Tuntunlade for two reasons- it was beautiful script with strong themes that I know a lot of people can relate to, sadly, and secondly, I’ve always wanted to work with the Director- Captain Degzy. So it was just a beautiful opportunity and I took it.”

Asked whether she had ever rejected a role, George gave a brief response.

“No.”

Faith and first impressions

The actress also addressed the experience of being biracial in the Nigerian film industry, noting that people sometimes notice her appearance before her work.

However, she believes preparation and faith help her remain grounded.

“First of, God. (I pray a lot and I know that God works the hearts of men ultimately.),” She added.

George added that performance ultimately speaks louder than appearance.

“Then I do the work so it’s not just by my appearance, the performance must speak for itself, and usually I can tell if I have delivered well,” she added.

Managing burnout and staying grounded

Although she previously worked in modelling, George said she has not been actively involved in that field recently as she focuses on acting.

“I haven’t modelled actively in recent times,” she said.

She admitted that balancing work and rest can sometimes be challenging because of her passion for the craft.

“Honestly, I sometimes don’t do too great at avoiding burnout. I feel like I enjoy what I do so much that I get carried away sometimes and forget to prioritise myself,” she explained.

Still, she said she has developed ways to regain balance whenever the pressure becomes overwhelming.

“I take breaks, go home to recalibrate (by home, I mean spend quality time with the ones I truly love), take time for myself to enjoy the peace and quiet without the noise of the world and make time for things I truly enjoy that make me laugh and genuinely happy,” she said.

She added that maintaining a playful spirit helps her stay connected to herself.

“I prioritise play and never lose sight of my inner child.”

Bouncing back from self-doubt

Speaking on rejection and impostor syndrome, George said her support system plays a crucial role in helping her stay confident.

“I have a wonderful circle of people who never let me forget who I am and how much God has put inside me,” she noted.

“That is all the affirmation I need; everything else on the outside just becomes background noise, and I bounce back.”

For the actress, the journey into acting has been less about having everything figured out from the start and more about recognising the path that kept drawing her back.