Habibat Jinadu Says She Bleached Her Skin to Secure Nollywood Movie Roles
Nollywood actress Habibat Jinadu has revealed that she bleached her skin early in her acting career because dark-skinned and slim actresses struggled to secure movie roles.
Jinadu made the revelation during an interview with BBC Yoruba, reported on October 29, 2026. She said directors at the time favoured fair-skinned and chubby actresses, leaving women who did not fit that description with fewer opportunities.
According to her, she was repeatedly told she was too dark whenever production lights were turned on during filming. Although she initially tried to ignore the comments, the pressure eventually pushed her to lighten her skin.
“I bleached my skin because if you were dark-skinned, then you would not get a role,” she said, adding that slim actresses also struggled to get cast. She noticed that acting opportunities increased after she changed her complexion.
However, Jinadu said she was unhappy with the decision and began experiencing its physical consequences. She explained that her skin became so vulnerable that minor bruises on movie sets could lead to injuries and skin tears. She also said some people could no longer recognise her.
The actress eventually stopped bleaching in 2023 after becoming pregnant. However, returning to her natural complexion came with another challenge, as she said people began insulting her and making hurtful comments about her appearance.
Jinadu had previously spoken about her experiences with colourism during a 2024 appearance on Biola Bayo’s Talk To B podcast, where she alleged that she had been humiliated over her dark complexion on a movie set.
Actress Linda Osifo has also spoken about facing discrimination during auditions, saying she once considered lightening her skin after encountering roles that favoured fair-complexioned actors.
Jinadu’s account has renewed conversations about colourism and appearance-based discrimination in Nollywood, with social media users sharing their views on the pressure placed on actresses to meet certain beauty standards.
By Oluwafemi Shodipe
