Nollywood actress Adaobi Dibor experienced a profound transformation while preparing for her lead role in the upcoming romantic drama Stitches, describing how she felt like a completely different person during intense acting moments.
From Audition Trance to Leading Lady
Dibor recalls her first audition for Flatmates as a mystical experience where she lost control of her body and entered what she describes as a trance state. "When I heard action, I just felt like a whole different person," the actress revealed. This breakthrough role launched her career from commercial advertisements to significant projects including Netflix's Blood Vessel and now the lead in Stitches.
The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, marks Ghanaian filmmaker Shirley Frimpong-Manso's Nollywood directorial debut. Stitches features an ensemble cast including Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Regina Askia, and Obinna Okenwa, with Dibor carrying the emotional weight as Boma, a gifted fashion designer navigating love, loss, and Lagos high society.
Navigating Nollywood's Challenges
Despite her growing success, Dibor remains candid about the realities of acting in Nigeria's film industry. She identifies unemployment as the most significant challenge facing actors today. "If you don't have a strong heart or you're not a firm believer in your dreams, you're easily swept away," she warns.
The actress describes the feast-or-famine nature of the profession where actors experience both dry seasons and rainy seasons. "When you're working, you're really working. But when you're not working, you kind of lose track of what day of the week it is," she explains.
Beyond practical challenges, Dibor highlights the emotional toll of character work. "You have to take on different people and purge them out. That's not an easy thing to do," she notes, revealing that after filming Stitches, she developed a genuine love for knitting that her character practiced.
Finding Her Niche as a 'Soft Girl' Actress
Dibor has embraced being typecast in softer, love-oriented roles despite initial discomfort. "These people who are soft and kindhearted deserve representation too," she reflects. The actress sees this phase as part of her growth journey rather than a limitation, emphasizing that she's not rushing to prove her range.
Her connection to Stitches felt immediate, drawing comparisons to Crazy Rich Asians with its premise of a working-class fashion designer entering Lagos high society. "She kind of had something to fight for. And that's another thing that really motivates me," Dibor says of her character Boma, seeing parallels to her own driven personality.
Collaborating with Director Shirley Frimpong-Manso
Working with award-winning director Shirley Frimpong-Manso proved transformative for Dibor. She describes the Ghanaian filmmaker as a "superwoman" whose relentless energy inspired the entire cast and crew. "Working with Shirley really put me on my toes," Dibor admits, appreciating the director's clear communication and specific demands.
The actress values directors who provide precise guidance alongside her own preparation. "Director, tell me what you want. What do you want me to do?" she requests, finding peace in the clarity Shirley provided throughout the production.
Stitches represents Dibor's first romantic lead in a major cinema release, and the experience taught her about the immense demands of carrying a film. "Kudos to every actor who has been a lead actor on anything," she says, describing grueling schedules where lead actors work while others rest.
The film opens in Nigerian cinemas nationwide on November 28, 2025, produced by BRS Studios with support from Filmone. Dibor hopes audiences leave theaters "smiling and believing in love again" despite modern romantic cynicism.
Looking beyond acting, the performer plans to explore coaching and producing, recognizing her talent for explaining screen performance to others. Her journey from watching Taraji P. Henson on Empire to leading major Nollywood productions demonstrates the realization of dreams she always sensed were possible.
