The acclaimed actress Taiwo Ajai-Lycett believes that performers who avoid kissing roles are not genuine artists.
The 82-year-old actress told TVC that acting is about actually believing in the character, not simply faking.
She stated that personal preferences should never be considered when playing a character.
Those who object to on-screen kisses were questioned by the veteran.
She claims that true actors immerse themselves in their performances without “moralizing.”
“Acting is believing, we are projecting life,” said Ajai-Lycett.
“There is a difference between play-acting and wanting to show how other people feel. And that is what I do.
“I read for instance in Nigerian papers where people who marry an actor who has been kissed.
“And somebody says, ‘All my years in acting I have never been kissed, I do not allow anybody to kiss me.’
“Well, you are not an actor. You do not bring your personal preferences into play.
“You can do that when you are play-acting, but when you are acting, you are that person.
“So to start moralising about acting means you are not an actor, you are play-acting.”
In 1966, Ajai-Lycett made her acting debut in Wole Soyinka’s ‘The Lion and the Jewel’ at the Royal Court Theatre in London.
She returned to Nigeria in 1971 and has since featured in several notable Nollywood films.
The movie star has also received several awards and honours for her contributions to Nollywood.
