Ugwu, 39, explained that following the successful run of the first season of "The Smart Money Woman" on both Netflix and Africa Magic, she approached the streaming platform with a proposal for sponsorship to elevate the show's production and reach. The 2021 TV adaptation of her acclaimed book had garnered considerable viewership, maintaining a position within the top 10 most-watched titles on Netflix in Nigeria for an impressive 13 weeks.
However, Ugwu recounted in a recent interview with Afropolitan that her proposal was unexpectedly rejected by Netflix. "We were able to produce Season 1 of The Smart Money Woman and got a fantastic reception on Africa Magic and Netflix. We were in the top 10 for 13 weeks on Netflix. I then approached Netflix for sponsorship to make the project bigger and better, and shockingly, they turned me down. That rejection almost broke me," she confessed.
Despite this setback, Ugwu's ambition to establish herself as a recognized filmmaker remains undeterred. She expressed a desire to be seen beyond her identity as an author whose literary work was adapted for the screen.
"I want to establish myself as a filmmaker," Ugwu stated. "I feel like some people still see me as the girl who wrote a book and the book was turned into a TV series." This sentiment underscores her commitment to carving out a distinct and impactful presence within the filmmaking industry, building upon the foundation laid by the success of "The Smart Money Woman." While the rejection from Netflix posed a significant challenge, Ugwu's determination suggests a continued pursuit of her filmmaking aspirations and a desire to be recognized for her creative vision in the cinematic realm.