I studied Lagos ‘runs girls’ for my role in ‘To Kill A Monkey’ — Sunshine Rosman

Nollywood actress Sunshine Rosman has revealed that she drew inspiration from Lagos sex workers to embody her character, Amanda Sparkles, in the hit series To Kill A Monkey.

Rosman said she immersed herself in the world of “runs girls” to bring authenticity to her performance. “Sparkles was a blend of my experiences and those of Lagos runs girls.

“Sometimes, I just sit in clubs and observe people. That became the anchor for Sparkles. Above all, God’s grace helped me,” she explained.

The Canadian-Nigerian actress, who described acting as something she had always known, credited her upbringing in Surulere, Magodo and Ijesha, Lagos, for shaping her creativity.

“My parents always encouraged me. My sisters and I would put together little plays and record songs for our dad, even when he was tired from work. He would clap and cheer for us. We were all entertainers in the family,” she recalled.

She also cited her fascination with Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe as a major source of inspiration. “I remember watching her films and being captivated by her expressions beyond beauty. She had a way of lighting up a room. That inspired me to want the same,” Rosman said.

Her big break into To Kill a Monkey came unexpectedly. Initially rejected at auditions, she was later recalled just as she was preparing for her school exams.

“It was a tough choice — defer the semester or take the role. I didn’t want an extra year in school, but I had also prophesied that I would one day work with Kemi Adetiba. By God’s grace, everything aligned,” she revealed.

Speaking on the moral weight of the story, the actress said the series underscores the complexities of human nature. “No one was completely innocent. Everyone had flaws and strengths. From Amanda’s perspective, when a man brings you down, don’t stay there, flip the script,” she noted.

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