The recent ban of Hausa-language actress, Rahama Sadau, for “hugging and cuddling” rapper ClassiQ in his ‘I Love You’ video shows the wide gulf that exists between Nollywood and Kannywood
While actresses in Southern Nigeria have been known to go above and beyond the call of duty to play romantic scenes or show parts of their body, their colleagues in the predominantly Muslim North operate in a less liberal environment.
Given the global interest in what is happening to Rahama, we take a look at 10 Nollywood actresses who would have been shown the way out of Kannywood given their history of romantic characters and sexy scenes.
The list is by no means conclusive. Truth is, almost all the ladies in Nollywood would have been expelled from Kannywood.
- Cossy Orjiakor
The slutty actress with the hashtag #sluttyakor is synonymous with nudity. She gatecrashed Nollywood after appearing in the videos of fuji artistes, Obesere and Pasuma, and it has been one controversy after another since then. If exposing her massive breasts, dancing wildly at nightclubs and asking fans to send her nude pictures does not earn a ban, “having sex with a dog” in a movie would have led to a Kannywood fatwa.
2. Halima Abubakar
The Kogi-born and Kano-raised actress started her career by giving her topless pictures to soft sell magazines for publication. Her first major role was in Gangster Paradise. Although Halima’s topless days her largely behind her, images of her going braless still haunts some puritans. The actress once caused commotion on social media by claiming she was a virgin.
3. Mercy Johnson
Before she got married in 2011, the curvaceous actress was one of the most sought-after female entertainers in Nigeria. She flaunted her body on the big screen and red carpet so much; she was listed as Google’s Most Searched Nollywood Celebrity from 2012 to 2013.
4. Genevieve Nnaji
The award-winning actress is arguably the highest paid in the industry and has starred in numerous movies and music videos. Afro pop singer, D’banj, reportedly paid N2million in 2010 to play his love interest in the video of his hit single, ‘Fall in Love’. Genevieve played the role to perfection and went as far as kissing D’banj, sparking rumours of an affair between the pair.
5. Omoni Oboli
The 38-year old filmmaker is indeed a blessing to Nollywood. From acting in and directing award-winning movies like Wives on Strike, Being Mrs Elliot and most recently Okafor’s Law, her talent in playing make-believe – especially love scenes – cannot be overstated. She is one of the few married Nollywood actresses that has locked lips with almost all her leading male co-stars in movies.
6. Tonto Dikeh
She began her Nollywood career in 2005 when she competed on the reality TV show called The Next Movie Star. Not afraid to bare it all, the actress used to be one of Nigerian female entertainers who exposed too much. She got married in 2015 and finally put a lid to her bad girl days with the birth of her son in 2016.
7. Beverly Naya
Beverly Naya was named the Most Promising Talent at the 2010 Best of Nollywood Awards and Fast Rising Actress at the 2011 City People Entertainment Awards. The 27-yearold is also regarded as the unofficial most kissed actress in Nollywood. She is not shy to do tongue wrestling or play other romantic acts in movies. Critics believe she is like that because was born in London.
8. Rukky Sanda
Rukayat Akinsanya, popularly known as Rukky Sanda, began her acting career in 2004 while still a student at the Lagos State University and continued after graduation in 2007. She has starred alongside Nollywood heartthrobs like Joseph Benjamin, John Dumelo, Alex Ekubo and many others. Rukky has always been criticised for dressing and acting provocatively in movies.
9. Beverly Osu
Beverly started her career as a model but later went on to participate in the 2013 edition of the Big Brother Africa reality TV where she became famous for the bathtub romp with South African housemate, Angelo Collins. She released the risqué Book of Pose in August 2015 and continues to give fans generous views of her body on screen and social media.
10. Yvonne Jegede
The Edo State indigene actress rose to fame when she featured in the video of ‘African Queen’ by 2face Idibia. Thereafter, she began acting in home videos and has her fair share of loyal fans. She has been slammed numerous times for exposing too much but that hasn’t stopped her from doing what she loves most.
