Nollywood actress Ayobami Oyita has spoken out about the emotional toll of being associated with the movie industry, revealing that the label “actress” has repeatedly subjected her to discrimination and cost her major opportunities.
In a tearful video shared on social media, Oyita disclosed that she has not acted in movies for years but is still judged because of her past career. She recounted losing the chance to buy a piece of land in Lagos after the seller’s wife allegedly refused to approve the sale because she was an actress.
She further claimed she was denied a property for her business and later turned away by another landlord after he was informed of her profession. According to her, the stigma attached to actresses has also affected relationships, with some families unwilling to accept actresses as wives for their sons.
The actress questioned why people continue to look down on those in the entertainment industry, insisting she has never harmed anyone and does not deserve the treatment she has received.
“I am tired of being called an actress. Please stop calling me an actress. I have stopped being an actress for years. And even when I was an actress, I never did anything wrong. I said this with my full chest. I didn’t do anything wrong to anybody.
“The last time I was trying to buy a landed property in Lagos, I didn’t get this land because the wife of the person says, ‘Oh, I don’t want my husband to sell this land to an actress.’
“Immediately this man heard she’s an actress, he said, ‘No, I’m not renting my house to an actress.’ What did we do to you people? What exactly did we do to you people?
“Is it a crime? Is it a crime for having a talent? If I need to pay bloggers for this video to go viral, I am ready… I am tired. You guys, please stop calling me an actress.”
“I’m tired of being called an actress” — Ayobami Ojo laments as she speaks on stigma over her profession pic.twitter.com/RVXUoiBCZa
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) June 29, 2026
