Habibat Jinadu Reveals Skin Bleaching Decision Due to Discrimination

Habibat Jinadu, a veteran Yoruba Nollywood actress, disclosed in an interview with BBC Yoruba that discrimination regarding her dark complexion within the film industry influenced her decision to bleach her skin. Jinadu recounted that directors often preferred fair-skinned actors, making it challenging for darker-skinned performers to secure roles.

She stated, "Back then, if you were not fair, nobody would call you for jobs," and noted that during filming, directors would comment on her skin tone, saying she was "too dark." Although she initially dismissed the negative remarks, a particularly hurtful comment comparing her appearance to that of a monkey deeply affected her. This persistent criticism and rejection ultimately led her to lighten her complexion to navigate the industry's biases and survive professionally.