Nollywood actress Moyo Lawal has fired back at an online critic. The critic age-shamed her and labelled her a “whore.” He accused her of refusing to step aside for younger talents. The exchange began after an X user identified as King Chidi criticised Lawal’s continued presence in Nollywood. He argued that she was past her prime. He described her as “an industry whore” and referenced the intimate video involving the actress that leaked online in 2023.
Moyo Lawal has faced public scrutiny over her personal life. In 2023, an intimate video involving her surfaced online. She has remained active in the industry. She has repeatedly confronted online criticism surrounding her appearance, relationships and private life. Nigerian female celebrities often face age-shaming and slut-shaming. The pattern is consistent. Women who remain visible past a certain age are targeted. Men are rarely subjected to the same treatment.
Lawal did not ignore the attack. She questioned whether the man’s reaction was linked to her appearance. “You are pained because I look amazing?” she asked. She addressed the circumstances surrounding a past relationship. She suggested that the man she once left had struggled to accept the breakup and allegedly tried to damage her. “Because I left a man whose feeble brain could not stand losing me and tried to destroy me at a time?”
She rejected the suggestion that she had a reputation for sleeping around. “Me and sleeping around have nothing in common,” she said. She noted that her career began in television. Her roles came through mass auditions. She mainly worked with female producers. She challenged her attackers. “I am positive that in my entire lifetime, I have not had as many partners as their current partners, whatever AGE that person might be.”
Winners: Lawal, who controls her narrative. Her fans, who support her. Women who face similar attacks, who gain a voice. Losers: The critic, who is publicly rebuked. Age-shaming culture, which is challenged. No serious losers.
Bottom Line: Moyo Lawal refused to be shamed. She fired back. The critic was silenced. Age-shaming is a weak man’s game. Lawal played it better.