Nollywood actress Habibat Jinadu has opened up about the toxic beauty standards prevalent in the Nigerian film industry, disclosing that systemic colourism and pressure to conform to specific physical appearances drove her to bleach her skin to secure acting roles.

Speaking candidly during an interview with BBC Yoruba, Jinadu explained that dark-skinned actresses and those with slim builds faced severe disadvantages during casting sessions, leaving her feeling professionally cornered.

"I bleached my skin because if you were dark-skinned, then you would not get a role. Also, if you were not chubby but slim, you would not get a role," Jinadu revealed.

While lightening her complexion yielded the desired professional results—sparking an influx of acting opportunities—the personal and physical toll was immense. Jinadu noted that friends and fans frequently failed to recognise her on the street, while her skin grew increasingly fragile, leaving her vulnerable to injuries from minor knocks on set.

The turning point occurred in 2023 when a pregnancy forced her to permanently discontinue skin-lightening practices for health reasons.

However, the transition back to her natural complexion triggered a fresh wave of public ridicule and name-calling from critics on social media.

"It all dawned on me when I got pregnant in 2023. And when you are pregnant, you cannot bleach your skin... When I eventually stopped, people started abusing me and calling me all sorts of names," she stated.

Jinadu’s revelations have reignited discussions across Nigerian entertainment circles regarding the hidden pressures, colourism, and superficial demands that performers navigate behind the scenes in Nollywood.

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