"I WAS BLACKLISTED BY FILM MARKETERS FOR REJECTING SEXUAL ADVANCES" - MOJI AFOLAYAN
ENTERTAINMENT - Posted on: 15th Jul. 2025 at 9:02PM
Veteran Nigerian actress Moji Afolayan has revealed that she was blacklisted in the Yoruba movie industry after refusing to give in to sexual demands from film marketers.
In a candid interview on Oyinmomo TV, Afolayan disclosed that her decision to uphold her values and dignity came at a heavy price, including loss of movie roles, income, and fame. She alleged that marketers at Idumota, who were influential gatekeepers in the industry at the time, often funded film productions but expected sexual favors from actresses in return.
“Due to the kind of training I received at home, I cannot trade my body for roles. Even my husband, who married me, has not done anything like that to me. So why should I do it for roles?” Afolayan said, speaking partly in proverbs during the emotional interview.
She stated that because she refused to compromise, marketers held meetings and collectively agreed to stop casting her in films.
“I did not sleep with them. I did not offer my body for sex. That was why they denied me roles,” she said. “Many of them were involved in such arrangements—even some married actresses, deceiving their husbands. Some would say, ‘is it only your husband?’ I told them to keep their help if that’s what it takes.”
The actress emphasized that standing by her principles made her an outlier in the industry at the time. “They made others stars. Their posters were everywhere. But when they tried to stand alone, things fell apart because the relationships were built on the wrong foundation,” she said.
Afolayan shared that she never informed her husband about the situation at the time but remained firm in her convictions. “I thank God I stood with my dignity. I cherish my body more than anything—even my husband knows,” she added.
She also mentioned a late colleague who faced similar challenges, recalling how a marketer rejected her project after she refused his advances. That colleague had advised her to continue on the path of integrity.
The actress acknowledged that the blacklist affected her financially and reduced her presence in mainstream films. However, she expressed gratitude that the emergence of social media and platforms like YouTube has given her and other sidelined actors new opportunities to share their work independently.
“They thought they were pushing us away, but now they’ve made us social media-friendly. We have found our own path,” Afolayan said.
Moji Afolayan, who hails from a renowned family of filmmakers, is the daughter of the late veteran actor and producer Ade Love and the sister of acclaimed actor and filmmaker Kunle Afolayan.
Veteran Nigerian actress Moji Afolayan has revealed that she was blacklisted in the Yoruba movie industry after refusing to give in to sexual demands from film marketers.In a candid interview on Oyinmomo TV, Afolayan disclosed that her decision to uphold her values and dignity came at a heavy price, including loss of movie roles, income, and fame. She alleged that marketers at Idumota, who were influential gatekeepers in the industry at the time, often funded film productions but expected sexual favors from actresses in return.
“Due to the kind of training I received at home, I cannot trade my body for roles. Even my husband, who married me, has not done anything like that to me. So why should I do it for roles?” Afolayan said, speaking partly in proverbs during the emotional interview.
She stated that because she refused to compromise, marketers held meetings and collectively agreed to stop casting her in films.
“I did not sleep with them. I did not offer my body for sex. That was why they denied me roles,” she said. “Many of them were involved in such arrangements—even some married actresses, deceiving their husbands. Some would say, ‘is it only your husband?’ I told them to keep their help if that’s what it takes.”
The actress emphasized that standing by her principles made her an outlier in the industry at the time. “They made others stars. Their posters were everywhere. But when they tried to stand alone, things fell apart because the relationships were built on the wrong foundation,” she said.
Afolayan shared that she never informed her husband about the situation at the time but remained firm in her convictions. “I thank God I stood with my dignity. I cherish my body more than anything—even my husband knows,” she added.
She also mentioned a late colleague who faced similar challenges, recalling how a marketer rejected her project after she refused his advances. That colleague had advised her to continue on the path of integrity.
The actress acknowledged that the blacklist affected her financially and reduced her presence in mainstream films. However, she expressed gratitude that the emergence of social media and platforms like YouTube has given her and other sidelined actors new opportunities to share their work independently.
“They thought they were pushing us away, but now they’ve made us social media-friendly. We have found our own path,” Afolayan said.
Moji Afolayan, who hails from a renowned family of filmmakers, is the daughter of the late veteran actor and producer Ade Love and the sister of acclaimed actor and filmmaker Kunle Afolayan.
Posted by: Emdee David
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