“You cannot build your entire identity around people’s opinion of your appearance” Nollywood Actress Yetunde Alabi 

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Summary: Nollywood actress and producer Yetunde Alabi, popularly known as Ashabi, has opened up about the immense pressures within the Nigerian film industry. She disclosed this in a recent interview with Saturday Beats, on Friday, October 2, 2026.  

Nollywood actress and producer Yetunde Alabi, popularly known as Ashabi, has opened up about the immense pressures within the Nigerian film industry. She disclosed this in a recent interview with Saturday Beats, on Friday, October 2, 2026.  

According to her, sexual pressure in Nollywood is common, but she had never encountered any personally. She added that her rise in the industry was a gradual process, where  she started with small roles and learned it by watching talented  actors.

Speaking further on public comments about her dark complexion and body, the actress said she has embraced her natural features and intentionally allows her audience to see her without heavy styling. She advised against building one’s identity around public opinions. 

“You cannot build your entire identity around people’s opinion of your appearance,” she said.“I want my audience to know that this is me, this is how I look, and I love how I look.”

The actress also addressed rivalry among actresses, saying  that competition is inevitable in an industry full with  many talented women competing for limited opportunities.  She had learnt not to interpret every disappointment as jealousy.

“No role is worth losing yourself over. If you let somebody get down with you because of a role, how about the next script?” the actress advises.

While acknowledging that fame has stripped away a certain layer of her personal privacy, Ashabi said she remains grateful to be able  to tell authentic stories, create entrepreneurial opportunities, and connect deeply with people.