Nollywood actress, Habibat Jinadu, has revealed that pressure to meet certain physical appearance standards in the Nigerian movie industry influenced her decision to bleach her skin in order to secure acting opportunities.
The actress made this disclosure during an interview with BBC Yoruba, where she explained that dark-skinned and slim actresses often struggle to get roles because of what she described as the industry’s preference for lighter-skinned and fuller-bodied women.
According to Jinadu, she decided to bleach her skin after noticing that actresses with darker complexions and slim figures were being overlooked for movie roles.
She disclosed that the decision eventually brought her the acting opportunities she had hoped for, as she began receiving more roles after changing her complexion.
However, the actress said the transformation came with unexpected consequences, including difficulty being recognised by people outside movie sets.
Jinadu admitted that although she was uncomfortable with the decision, she continued bleaching her skin in an attempt to establish herself in the entertainment industry.
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She further revealed that she began experiencing skin injuries and tears from minor bruises while working on movie sets.
The actress said she eventually stopped bleaching her skin in 2023 after becoming pregnant, explaining that pregnancy made her reconsider continuing the practice.
However, returning to her natural complexion reportedly exposed her to public criticism and insults, with some people making negative comments about her appearance.
Her revelation has reignited conversations about colourism, beauty standards and the pressure placed on actresses to alter their natural appearance to succeed in the entertainment industry.
Jinadu’s experience also raises questions about the impact of appearance-based discrimination on talent, opportunities and the well-being of performers in Nollywood.
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