Nollywood actor Mofe Duncan has revealed the challenges he faced early in his career, including body shaming and blacklisting by producers due to his weight.
Reflecting on his experiences while addressing a recent online troll who claimed he wasn’t fit to be considered handsome because of his weight, Duncan shared that he sustained a severe back injury in the gym trying to meet societal expectations. He admitted that the body shaming he endured had a significant impact on him at the time.
However, Duncan emphasized that such comments no longer bother him. He chose to speak out to support others facing similar issues. On his Instagram page, the actor wrote:
“So this guy @iamadeogooluwayimika said I’m not allowed on the most handsome men in Nigeria list because I’m big. Lol! Comments like these brush off me like a leaf falling from a tree, zero impact. Zero damage. I’m a big guy, yes. I’ve been big for the past 10 years, yes. Did I have a severe back injury whilst in the gym trying to look how people wanted me to look? Absolutely.
I’ve been trolled and even had producers not want to work with me after calling me ‘fat’. Did it affect me years ago? Yes. Does it affect me now? Never. Has it affected my acting or my career? I’d let my movies speak for me. What about my personality? Never. Or my health? Nope.
Now some would say ‘Ignore these trolls.’ I should, shouldn’t I? Yes. The thing is… this post ain’t for me or about me, it’s for others like me who get body shamed or called ‘unpretty’ because they’re larger than their peers.”
Duncan’s candid disclosure highlights the ongoing issue of body shaming within the entertainment industry and serves as a message of resilience and support for those who face similar struggles.
