Clarence Peters: “Growing Up With Famous Parents Gave Me Trauma”

Renowned music video director Clarence Peters has shared how growing up as the son of two famous parents caused him significant trauma.

Clarence, the son of Afro-Juju legend Shina Peters and Nollywood icon Clarion Chukwurah, revealed in a recent interview that he struggled with his parents’ fame and disliked being in the public eye. This discomfort influenced his career path, leading him to stay behind the scenes.

He explained that his upbringing contributed to his struggles with impostor syndrome—a condition marked by self-doubt and feelings of unworthiness despite success. Because of this, he initially avoided attaching his name to his work, even as his music videos gained international recognition.

“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.

Clarence recalled how a close friend and colleague eventually tricked him into putting his name on his work.

“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.

Reflecting on his journey, he admitted that self-doubt plagued him in his early years, making him question his talent. However, he credited his mother for recognizing his potential before he did.

“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.