British-Nigerian actor John Boyega warmed hearts after expressing gratitude to Nigerians who praised his authentic accent in the 2022 historical epic The Woman King.
Following the film's release, many Nigerian viewers took to social media to commend Boyega for embracing a natural African accent in his portrayal of King Ghezo of Dahomey, rather than adopting the generic Hollywood "African accent" often heard in international productions. His performance was widely celebrated for bringing greater authenticity to the role and honoring the cultural roots of the story.
Responding to the outpouring of praise, Boyega thanked Nigerians for recognizing the effort that went into his performance. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:
«"Thank you Naija. We tried."»
The simple message quickly resonated with fans, many of whom applauded the actor for remaining connected to his Nigerian heritage despite building a successful career in Hollywood.
Born in London to Nigerian parents of Yoruba descent, Boyega has often spoken proudly about his roots and the influence of Nigerian culture on his life. His appreciation for the recognition reinforced the strong bond he continues to share with audiences across the country.
The Woman King, starring Viola Davis, tells the story of the Agojie, the elite all-female warrior unit that protected the Kingdom of Dahomey during the 19th century. Boyega's portrayal of King Ghezo became one of the film's standout performances, with critics and audiences praising the emotional depth and authority he brought to the character.
The exchange between Boyega and Nigerian fans highlighted an important shift in global filmmaking. As African stories increasingly reach international audiences, viewers are paying closer attention to cultural authenticity—from language and accents to costumes and storytelling.
For many Nigerians, Boyega's response was more than a thank-you message. It was a reminder that representation matters, and that audiences notice when actors make a genuine effort to portray African characters with respect and authenticity.
John Boyega thanked Nigerians on Twitter for complimenting his accent in the eagerly awaited Woman King.
Remember that the film tells the tale of the fierce warrior Nanisca and the band of warriors she led to defend the Kingdom of Dahomey?
Speaking with ET, Boyega revealed his experiences on the set – having to “sit back” and watch as his castmates “go into a realm that normally men are forced to go.”
“Even as an actor, you know, it’s normally the man that’s the hero, the man that’s saving the day,” the Star Wars alum points out. “In this, we’re seeing women at the forefront.”
And when Nigerians said that he spoke with a true Naija accent in the movie, he shared his thanks.
See the post:
✍️✍️✍️ ✍️“feel free to disagree in the comments 👀 ☝️👆 & let JAIYEORIE know what U think!” 📎 COMMENTS 👈👉✍️🤳 DROP YOUR OPINIONS ✍️✍️✍️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/KIilmr9z2I
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) September 7, 2022
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