adminNollywood actress Mercy Aigbe has opened up about a harrowing experience of sexual harassment that almost led her to quit the industry. In an interview on ‘Your Views,’ a talk show on TVC, Aigbe shared the distressing incident that unfolded during the early stages of her acting career.
According to Aigbe, she expressed her passion for acting to a producer in Surulere who then invited her for an audition for an upcoming film. She successfully passed through three stages of the audition but was ultimately given a minor role that did not align with the character she had auditioned for. When she protested, the producer revealed that the director did not recognize her and suggested she be close to him.
The actress disclosed that the producer had been making advances towards her before the incident, but it escalated that day when he attempted to touch her. Aigbe, feeling insulted, asserted her worth and rejected the inappropriate advances. She tearfully recounted the emotional toll of the incident, expressing her disillusionment with the industry.
“I thought if that was what it took to be an actress, I did not want to be an actress anymore. I tore the script and eventually left. On my way home, I cried because I had left a well-paying job to join Nollywood, and I was already a single mother at the time,” she shared.
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Despite this traumatic encounter and other challenges in the industry, Aigbe persevered and found her way to success through consistency. The actress has become a prominent figure in Nollywood, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity.
Aigbe’s revelation sheds light on the pervasive issue of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry, prompting discussions about the need for systemic change to create safer environments for aspiring talents.
