Popular Yoruba actress and filmmaker, Eniola Ajao, bravely opens up about the severe emotional toll that online fake news has taken on her life, nearly pushing her to self-harm and revealing the dark side of fame in the age of social media.
In a candid interview on Nollywood on Radio, Ajao shared her heart-wrenching experience of how hurtful rumours circulating on social media led to a personal crisis that profoundly impacted her mental health and social life. She expressed how the incessant barrage of negativity and falsehoods eroded her sense of self and left her feeling isolated and despondent.
“I almost poisoned myself because of news about me on social media that was far from true. It was the first time in my life I faced something so painful that I couldn’t eat for seven days. I didn’t go anywhere. People around me can testify to it,” she revealed, shedding light on the depth of her struggle and how it affected her physically and emotionally. Ajao’s words highlight the grave consequences that can arise from false narratives and the pressure that comes with being in the public eye.
The impact of the fake news was so profound that Ajao withdrew completely from her daily life, unable to eat or engage in any social activities for a week. Her emotional state deteriorated to the point where she felt like her only escape was through self-harm. “My sisters were calling, telling me, ‘You have to do this for yourself. You don’t have to poison yourself.’ My son was reaching out to everyone that I was struggling with the online lies,” she added, illustrating the concern and support from her family during her darkest moments.
It is worth noting that the actress once faced severe social media backlashes after she crowned the controversial crossdresser, Bobrisky as the most dressed female at her movie premiere. The backlash stemmed from public outrage and misunderstanding of the situation. Notably, Ajao later clarified that the entire episode was a planned publicity stunt for her movie, highlighting the blurred lines between promotion and controversy in the entertainment industry. This incident not only contributed to the spread of misinformation about her but also showcased the challenges entertainers face in managing their public image amidst relentless scrutiny.