Fashion Promoted My Brand Than Acting – Nana Akua Addo

Ghanaian actress and fashion icon Nana Akua Addo has said her acting career did not achieve the impact she expected, even though she worked hard and remained committed to the craft.

She explained that she never got the opportunity to play lead roles that would have allowed her to fully express her talent.

Speaking during a discussion on United Showbiz on May 17, 2026, she said she once hoped to make a strong mark in acting, but her career path changed along the way.

“The impact I needed in acting, it didn’t work out for me as expected, but fashion did. I thank God for what He has done for me regardless and I’m very grateful,” she said.

The celebrated style influencer added that her success in fashion has gone beyond Ghana and has earned her recognition across Africa.

“I’m not only recognized in Ghana. On the continent, when I get to Nigeria, even at the airport, everyone is always hyped. They carry my luggage, and it’s amazing,” she stated.

She further reflected on her journey, saying she believes God sometimes directs people in unexpected ways that eventually lead to greater success.

“Sometimes, God has a funny way of doing things and you will not understand. I pursued acting for a long time, but it didn’t work out for me, not because I wasn’t a good actor, but because I never had the opportunity to have a lead role to even be able to show what I have. Fashion did and it has exceeded my expectations,” she added.

In a related development, Nana Akua Addo has also spoken about the growing attention given to fashion at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), saying the event should not be the only standard used to judge celebrity fashion.

She explained that while the TGMA red carpet is an important platform for style expression, fashion goes beyond one awards scheme and should not define a person’s creativity or relevance in the industry.

Her comments come amid ongoing public discussions about celebrity fashion and red carpet appearances following this year’s awards season.

Nana Akua Addo, who recently made headlines at the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) with her cathedral-inspired gown, has remained at the centre of conversations about African fashion, creativity, and originality.

Her appearance at the AMVCA generated wide admiration on social media, although it also sparked controversy after Paris-based fashion house ALmée Couture accused her of using elements of a concept they said they had developed for her.

Responding to the allegations, she maintained that the original creative direction and inspiration behind the outfit belonged to her, adding that she later worked with another designer after the initial collaboration did not go as planned.