Nollywood actor Jide Awobona has called out members of the film industry who publicly ridicule and criticise their colleagues on social media.
In a post shared on Instagram, Awobona expressed disappointment that some actors choose to mock fellow creatives in comment sections instead of offering encouragement and professional support.
He also condemned the spread of rumours within the entertainment industry, alleging that some individuals fabricate stories or share unverified information out of envy or personal resentment.
According to the actor, some people even submit such claims to blogs in an effort to damage the reputation of their colleagues.
Awobona said what he finds most troubling is the willingness of industry professionals to participate openly in online trolling despite understanding the demands of the profession.”I’m always amazed when people who call themselves actors jump into comment sections to shade or mock other actors/creatives at large.
“It’s bad enough that some of them gossip and even fabricate stories when they don’t have the facts, all in an attempt to tarnish someone’s image out of envy or spite. Some even go so far as to send these stories to blogs, hoping to damage another person’s reputation.”But having the confidence to join the trolling publicly? That’s the part I find most disturbing.”
The actor urged creatives to remember the sacrifices, emotional investment and mental health challenges that often accompany careers in the entertainment industry.
He argued that consistently attacking colleagues online is inconsistent with the values of a creative community.”As creatives, we should understand the work, the sacrifices, the emotions, and the mental health this profession demands. If your contributions are constantly tearing down your colleagues, you’re not acting like a creative. You’re behaving like an audience member, a fan, a hater, or a troll,” he wrote.
