Renowned Nigerian music video director Clarence Peters has opened up about the personal struggles he faced growing up as the child of two famous parents. In a candid revelation, he shared that being in the limelight from an early age due to his parents' fame caused him significant trauma, ultimately shaping the way he navigated his career and personal identity.
Clarence, who is the son of Afro-Juju music legend Shina Peters and Nollywood veteran actress Clarion Chukwurah, admitted in a recent interview that he never liked the attention that came with having famous parents. He explained that growing up under the constant gaze of the public made him uncomfortable, leading him to deliberately avoid the spotlight and instead build a career behind the scenes.
He further disclosed that the emotional challenges he faced as a child contributed to his lifelong battle with impostor syndrome. This psychological condition, often marked by persistent self-doubt and feelings of unworthiness despite evident success, made him hesitant to attach his name to his creative work. Despite directing numerous groundbreaking and globally acclaimed music videos, he initially refrained from taking public credit for his projects.
“I grew up with famous parents, and some of my trauma stemmed from them being in the limelight—I didn’t like that,” he said, reflecting on how his early experiences shaped his decisions.
Clarence went on to narrate how a close friend and longtime colleague eventually played a crucial role in changing his perspective. The friend, recognizing Clarence's undeniable talent, tricked him into putting his name on his work by crediting him without his prior consent. Although hesitant at first, Clarence eventually embraced his identity as a filmmaker and took ownership of his creative contributions.
“I didn’t even want to put my name on music videos, but a friend I used to edit with insisted on adding it, and there was nothing I could do about it,” he revealed, emphasizing how reluctant he was to step into any form of public recognition.
Looking back on his journey, Clarence admitted that self-doubt plagued his early years in the industry. He frequently questioned his own talent and whether he truly belonged in the creative space. However, amidst his uncertainty, there was one person who never wavered in her belief in him—his mother, Clarion Chukwurah.
He credited his mother for seeing his potential long before he himself recognized it. She firmly believed that his creative abilities were deeply ingrained in his DNA, a natural inheritance from both of his talented parents. Her unwavering confidence in him served as a source of encouragement, even during times when he doubted himself.
“I didn’t think I had the personality for it. I wasn’t even sure about my talent. The only person who was certain—even before I started exhibiting it—was my mother. She firmly believed that it’s in the genes,” he added, acknowledging her role in helping him embrace his gifts and carve out his own identity in the entertainment industry.
Despite the challenges he faced growing up under the shadow of his parents' fame, Clarence Peters has successfully built a name for himself as one of the most influential music video directors in Africa. His ability to overcome self-doubt and trauma while staying true to his artistic vision has cemented his legacy as a powerhouse in the Nigerian entertainment industry.