Veteran Nollywood actress Moji Afolayan has broken her silence about her mysterious disappearance from screens, revealing a disturbing pattern of coercion in Nigeria’s film industry. In an emotional interview with Oyinmomo TV, Afolayan disclosed how film marketers systematically blacklisted her for refusing their s3xual advances.
The Ugly Truth Behind Movie Financing
Afolayan exposed the dark underbelly of Nollywood’s financing system, where marketers allegedly demand s3xual favors as payment for funding productions. With visible emotion, she revealed how these financiers would bankroll movies while expecting actresses to pay them back with their bodies, creating an environment of systemic exploitation.
The Cost of Maintaining Dignity
The actress described the severe professional consequences of her refusal to comply. Marketers held secret meetings specifically to exclude her from projects, while colleagues who participated in the arrangement gained stardom and prominent placements. Meanwhile, Afolayan saw both her income and visibility plummet dramatically as direct punishment for maintaining her principles.
Married But Not Safe
Afolayan made the shocking claim that many married actresses participate in these arrangements while deceiving their spouses. She recounted how wives would secretly meet with these men while their husbands waited outside, with marketers mockingly questioning “Is it only your husband?” as they pressured their targets.
A Lonely Battle for Integrity
The veteran actress fought back tears as she recalled her painful isolation during this period. She maintained her values when others compromised, and today walks with her head high while some who gave in now battle the consequences of those toxic relationships. Her voice trembled as she described watching others gain fame through compliance while she struggled professionally.
The Silver Lining
Afolayan finds vindication in Nollywood’s evolving landscape. The rise of YouTube and streaming platforms has significantly reduced marketers’ traditional power over careers. Social media now allows artists to connect directly with audiences, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. Most encouragingly, new generations of filmmakers and actors are actively challenging these old exploitative systems.
A Warning to Young Actresses
Her message to aspiring performers carries the weight of hard experience. She emphasizes that no role or opportunity is worth compromising one’s dignity, stressing that temporary fame never justifies lifetime regret. While acknowledging the income she lost, Afolayan maintains that the self-respect she preserved holds value no paycheck could replace.
Industry Reactions
The entertainment world remains divided in response to these explosive claims. While some colleagues have privately expressed support for Afolayan’s account, many powerful figures maintain an uncomfortable silence. Notably, the Idumota marketers’ association has yet to issue any official response to these serious allegations.
Why This Story Matters Now
Afolayan’s testimony arrives at a crucial moment for Nigeria’s entertainment industry. The country’s growing #MeToo movement has created new space for such revelations, while audiences increasingly demand accountability from their stars. Simultaneously, the disruption caused by streaming platforms continues to weaken traditional power structures that enabled such abuses. As the interview trends across social media, it raises urgent questions about protections for actresses and the need for systemic reform in Nollywood’s behind-the-scenes operations.
Discover more from News247 Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.