Actress Bukunmi Oluwasina says her newly released movie White and Black gave her the chance to share a part of her personal experience with the pain that comes with fame.
The 35-year-old shared this on Instagram on Thursday while posting a scene from the film.
“Dear public, celebrities are humans too. I am happy a part of the movie White and Black allowed me to explore this topic. As I’ve wanted to address this issue for a while, especially after my personal experience in a hospital at the early stage of my pregnancy in 2020.
“Despite wearing a mask, I overheard gossip about me from nurses and patients. Assumptions flew about my appearance and what could have brought me to the hospital. ‘Who brought her? Where is her car? What brand is it? Could she be pregnant? How old is she? Who is the father? Oh, she has a ring. When did she marry? But she didn’t post it. Maybe it’s for another person’s husband. You know how actresses are.’
“And these nurses even asked for selfies as I left. If a celebrity is too slim, you start saying ‘SayNoToDrugs.’ Fat? you body shame them. Some you broke-shame. (A few years ago, I saw comments of some people shaming a famous married musician for driving an old model version of a Range Rover).
“Even if he can’t afford a better ride, sebi his wife is an actress, why can’t they put money together and buy something befitting? Watin be this? Really? Who told you that’s their only car? Even if, are you familiar with the word ‘Priorities?’
“It gets worse that some can no longer go to the hospital even when they are sick and dying, have to rent cars and clothes to show up at an event, because they have developed agoraphobia (fear of the public).
“I hope you know, you all subconsciously play a part in what eventually leads to these people’s depression or death. Some of you have ended up slowly killing most of your favs. Pushing them into debt. Most end up buying big cars, houses and things they can’t afford, to end up paying small small, ending up in debt that robs them of their peace.
“Before you say ‘That’s the life they signed up for,’ not everyone enjoys unnecessary attention that comes with their job. Brendan Francis once said, ‘Fame is failure disguised as money.’
“Fame creates its own standards. And once you have it, you have to keep fighting to meet up with that standard every 24 hours in each day of your life, till you die. So, dear public, don’t make it worse. Live and let others live.”
Bukunmi’s film White and Black was released to the public on August 22 and is now available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
The movie, which she wrote and produced, had already gained international recognition before its release, earning nominations at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF), British International Film Awards (BIFA) and the New York International Film Awards.
