Monalisa Stephen, a well-known actress in Nollywood, has spoken candidly about the difficulties she faces as a plus-size woman in the business.
The actress revealed this on the most recent episode of the podcast “Of Blood, Bones, and Water,” which is hosted by Angel Smith, a former BBNaija housemate.
Because they are already typecast into particular roles, according to Monalisa, the majority of plus-size actresses “suffer” in the entertainment industry.
She said she has been:
“fighting for space” in the industry with “no help” because filmmakers always preach about what size you should be.
“How many movies in Nigeria do you see a plus-size girl being a lady or a babe? How many? We don’t have. In an industry that’s already preaching to me that the normal size is for you to be curvy or be a size 8 or 10,” she said.
“What do you want me to do? I can only fight. I’m actually the one fighting for my space. No help and I know that I’m lucky. I’m like one woman in thousands of women that want to come up but can’t.
“That’s why I’m trying to do everything and know that it’s okay to fight your way. But being plus-size and trying to be in the media in Nigeria, you are going to suffer.”
