Benjamin Joseph reflects on the challenges he faced upon relocating to the United States
His experience reaffirms the notion that 'the grass isn't always greener on the other side'.
Experienced Nollywood actor Benjamin Joseph has provided a comprehensive account of his journey to establish himself after relocating to the United States, lured by the prospects of acting opportunities.
During a conversation with Nigerian comedian Teju Babyface on the "King of Talks" podcast, the actor shared that his encounter was significantly different from his expectations.
Having achieved remarkable success in Nollywood, he made the decision to relocate to the United States of America in 2016, believing that promising opportunities awaited him. Regrettably, this belief turned out to be far from reality.
He recounted, "I arrived in America with the assurance of having lined up gigs. I presumed it would be a smooth transition. I left Nigeria, purchased a one-way ticket, and made my way to America."
Tragically, his sponsor faced financial challenges and canceled their proposed arrangements, leaving him in a dire situation.
With just $1,500 to his name and no way to return to Nigeria, he found himself stranded. Shortly thereafter, he was informed that he would need to earn his livelihood and was assigned work responsibilities.
Joseph expressed, "I was placed in a fully furnished residence and everything seemed promising. However, only two days later, the individual with whom I was meant to finalize a deal informed me, 'Our backers have withdrawn. They are facing complications.'"
The uncertainty surrounding his next steps left him deeply unsettled, prompting occasional moments of distress in the privacy of his room. He acknowledged that his saving habits at that time were subpar and he lacked the means to cover his expenses.
Fortunately, a fellow member of his church stepped in to help, offering him a car he could use for ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft to manage his financial obligations.
As he recounted, he also engaged in package deliveries to generate some income during that period, which thankfully enabled him to fulfill his rent obligations.
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