Actress Wumi Toriola has publicly called out celebrity chef Tolani Tayo-Osikoya, popularly known as Chef T of Diary of a Kitchen Lover, for ignoring her request to feature on one of her cooking episodes as part of a promotional push for her film debut.
The 36-year-old took to Instagram on Friday to express her disappointment, revealing that she had sent Chef T a direct message in August 2023 but never received a response.
Sharing a screenshot of the unread message on her Instagram Story, Wumi had written at the time:
“Good morning, sis. I have been a lover of your page for a while. I don’t know if any of your cooking episodes is coming soon. Would love to feature as my cinema debut is coming in September—me wearing a t-shirt of it while cooking on one of your episodes. I don’t know if and how it works with you.”
Expressing her frustration, Wumi suggested that the food blogger had become too selective since gaining popularity.
“Chef T @diaryofakitchenlover feels she doesn’t need anyone again. Na only she grow her grow. Shey na December me sef come out????” she wrote.
In another post, the actress praised those who, despite their success, still collaborate with others in the entertainment and content creation space.
“Shout out to great people who have grown and still maintain healthy collaborations…” she added.
Wumi later posted a picture of herself along with a reflective message on Instagram on Friday.
“I walk my own path, unapologetically and with unwavering focus. I stay in my lane, not out of fear, but out of fierce dedication to my own journey. The noise, the hype, the opinions — they don’t move me.
“Call it solitude, call it defiance, call it whatever you like. I call it growth forged through struggle, and grit carved from every battle I’ve endured. While others chase validation, I build a life anchored in purpose and resilience,” She wrote.
Before Wumi’s posts gained attention, reports had surfaced that renowned filmmaker Funke Akindele had unfollowed Chef T on Instagram for allegedly refusing to promote her movie.
Chef T has yet to respond to the controversy.
