For Zainab Balogun, acting is more than just the next gig. It’s a personal excavation. A choice to show up—differently—each time. And if you want to truly understand her, she has a simple challenge: watch five specific films.
“If you were to watch all of those films and say that you still don’t get me… yeah, we’d have to have a conversation. We’d have to have a sidebar. But then I really want to know what your problem is.”
These aren’t just her fan favourites—they’re curated for anyone who wants to see her stretch across tone, form, and genre. In no particular order, here’s Zainab Balogun’s definitive self-portrait in five roles:
1. The Wedding Party
The blockbuster hit that introduced Zainab Balogun to a wide audience remains essential viewing. ‘The Wedding Party’ gave her the space to flex her comedic timing in a story bursting with chaos, tradition, and Yoruba wedding energy.
“Watching ‘The Wedding Party’ is a great way to see my comedic edge and delivery. It’s a fun, nostalgic feeling—Lagos vibes, culture, and good times.”
2. Sylvia
In ‘Sylvia’, Balogun taps into her darker instincts. She plays a complex figure who’s more than a figment of imagination—but less than fully human.
“She wasn’t crazy; she was just someone who needed to be loved right. And wasn’t getting it.”
The haunting aftertaste of the role lingers. She laughs recalling how people call her Sylvia in real life. “Guys, I’m not her. Okay? I’m Zainab. And I’m real.”
3. The Royal Hibiscus Hotel
This romantic dramedy is Balogun in her most delicate form—an ambitious chef who comes home to love, legacy, and surprises. For fans of feel-good romance with emotional weight, this is your entry point.
“If you want to see the soft side, the cushy love, this is it. It’s funny too—it has a bit of a comedic edge.”
4. God Calling
Balogun gets deeply vulnerable here. Playing a woman on the edge, ‘God Calling’ required her to embody grief, crisis, and transformation—all while holding onto a thread of hope.
“It gave a lot more than what we ever imagined. And it changed lives.”
It remains one of her most personal projects—and one of the most emotionally demanding.
5. Last Call
A recent project but already one of her most treasured, ‘Last Call’ is a departure from the glamour and sparkle. It’s stripped-down, dialogue-heavy, and intimate.
“The entire film takes place in one space. You have to pay attention. It’s different from the funny, romantic flair—it’s a critical thinking piece.”
Here, Zainab Balogun plays a radio presenter who gets one final call that unravels her entire world, live on air.
Together, these five roles trace the arc of an actor who refuses to be boxed in. There’s comedy and heartbreak, fantasy and faith, lightness and shadow. But more importantly, there’s always intention.
“One thing about me as an actor is that you’ll hardly find two projects that feel the same. I want people to see something different each time I come to their screen. And I hope I’m delivering on that.”
She is. And if you still don’t see it? Pull up a chair. She’s ready for that sidebar.
