Fast-rising actress Joan Johnson has condemned the rising cases of body shaming faced by celebrities, especially at the peak of their careers.
Body shaming is the act of mocking, criticising, or humiliating someone based on their physical appearance, shape, size, or weight. It includes negative comments about body size, skin colour, hair, and other perceived imperfections.
Johnson, an award-winning actress, took to her social media platforms to share her personal experience with body shaming since her acting debut. She noted that actresses in Nollywood often face intense scrutiny over their physical appearance.
According to her, early in her career, she was told she would never succeed unless she underwent cosmetic surgery. However, she held firm in her belief that her talent would open doors for her, and it eventually did.
“I am very confident that nothing will make me feel inferior or pressure me to change my body,” she wrote.
Johnson said her experience reflects a wider pattern among fast-rising actresses who are often judged more on their looks than their craft. This trend, she noted, has pushed many women in the industry to challenge unrealistic beauty standards.
The actress also revealed that she had earlier stated that no man appreciated her and expressed uncertainty about getting married.
Body shaming, especially against plus-size individuals, has become more rampant in Nigerian society, largely fuelled by social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, X, and WhatsApp, where many people face mocking comments under the guise of offering “health advice.”
