OGHENOVO EGODO-MICHAEL writes about the experiences of young female entertainers whose careers were allegedly affected by sexual harassment
A young entertainer identified only as Mabel was set for the big stage early in life. She dreamt big and was sure her talent would open doors of opportunities for her until she was confronted with sexual harassment which threatened her budding career. Mabel is a model, video vixen and an actress. She narrated how sex-for-role waned her interest in acting.
She said, “I used to act about three years ago. I stopped because it was not usually a fair process in the selection of role interpreters. Then, I used to act in an extra role and got paid a stipend. However, for one to get it often, one has to know either agent that can recommend one or a connection. Most agents want to sleep with one or have intimate things to do with one.”
Mabel noted that ladies who succumbed to the sexual exchange were usually treated differently. She said, “It was later that I got to know that when it comes to getting a major role, there is an underwork done by some other ladies while I merely wasted time for auditions. That was what made me stop actually. I was not interested in all those dramas.”
Sexual harassment is a type of harassment involving use of direct and indirect sexual overtones including undesirable promises of rewards in exchange for sexual favours. It may include unwanted sexual comments and groping.
Recounting her most unforgettable sex-for-role experience as a female entertainer, she explained how she, alongside some other girls, went for a selection and they pimped them.
She stated, “I met an agent through a job I did earlier. He told me that his company arranges for models, video vixens and lots more. On the day we met, he said he would like us to have a romantic relationship so that when he had a job, he would let me know. Even though I was young at the time, I told him I was not interested in dating him. Subsequently, he gave me a job. The job was on a private beach. We wore bikinis and there were other girls. He started picking the ladies and he picked the first lady called Jane. He picked the second as well. He later told me that there was a man that wanted to see me. I told him I was not interested in seeing anyone but would rather concentrate on what I came for. He said if I refused to listen to him, I should return to the hotel where rooms were booked for the models to sleep. I was able to return to the room to rest by 11 pm after loitering around for some time.”
Mabel noted that sex-for-roles were oddly normal in the nation’s entertainment industry notwithstanding people’s opinion about it. She said, “In the middle of the night, the agent came to my room and kept pestering me for sex. That night was a struggle. Eventually, he left me angrily saying that I was not cooperating so he would no longer call me for jobs. The following morning, other ladies who left returned though one didn’t. From the look of things, I think those girls do it regularly. They were cheerful and never betrayed emotions that could make one suspicious. After we left, the man contacted me for two more jobs but I declined based on my past experience with him. I felt it was a waste of time and energy for me. I knew I was not the only one he would pester for sex among the ladies. In all honesty, it appears a normal thing in the industry though some people will want to deny it.’’
Omah (not real name) is an ex-beauty queen, model and dancer. She also said that she had experienced a nagging demand for sex-for-roles in the nation’s entertainment industry. On Omah’s part, there is nowhere to seek shelter from the plague as according to her, it happens everywhere even in the corporate world.
Oma expressed worry that many potential entertainers may be denied the deserving opportunities to make headway in their careers if they were denied the needed breaks because they refused to pay the price.
She stated, “Though I once wore a crown when I won a beauty pageant, I withdrew to some extent from the industry because of sexual harassment. At many points, I thought of having a rethink about my career because I used to be told that before one make it, one has to know one or two influential people. But those one or two people will want to get into one’s pants.”
Oma further said her experience taught her that in the nation’s pageantry industry, it was one of two things; either one has money to carry on and push far or one is willing to trade one’s body for a prize.
She said, “The beauty contest I won, I terminated the contract. On the last day, when we were two left and the audience was asked who they thought would be the winner, many rooted for me. What I later found out was that the queen before achieved many things. On the D-day, I recall asking the ex-queen how she made it to the top. She insinuated that I would see men willing to help me. Apparently, I found out that there were ladies that got offers through such a route. One of the organisers kept telling me that he liked the last winner of the beauty contest because she was cooperative. He added that she was willing to do his bidding. I found out later that after the event, they invited one to a club to meet some ‘big boys.’
More sexual allegations
All the ladies who spoke to Saturday PUNCH requested the protection of their identities for fear of victimisation and blacklisting. Some willingly gave their photos with appeals for the blurring of their faces, while others only agreed to tell their stories.
A young female musician identified only as Toyin is another entertainer whose career was caught in the web of sexual advances.
Toyin, who is a rapper, singer and songwriter, told our correspondent that it was not easy being a female in a male dominated industry.
She stated that sponsorship had never come easy for her, adding, “I have been in a situation where I needed sponsorship for a music video. It was official at first. I was asked to write a letter with a letterhead and later, he said we would need to meet up at his house or at a hotel. I cannot really remember where he named exactly because I was really pissed off. I just shut it down.”
Narrating her experience with a notable producer in the country in 2019, she noted that it was her most unforgettable moment. She claimed that the Lagos State-based producer tried to sleep with her under the guise of producing a song.
Toyin stated, “On the day of recording, I went with my friend because I could not find my way around.
The second time, which was supposed to be for the adjustments and edits, I went alone and throughout my time there, we didn’t record because of technical issues.
I stayed in a room till the next day. He is older than me and we never had any sort of romantic union or even discussions prior to that time. I could liken it to a case of a big brother to a younger sister.”
She further said that she was naive at the time, noted that she was uncomfortable all through her stay as the producer persistently made sexual advances towards her. “I made it known that I am not interested in that,” she added.
The entertainer said by morning, she left for her home located in a different state, saying “I left as soon as it was morning and I did not bother talking about it. He didn’t talk about it and that was how it went. Based on these experiences, I re-considered my career many times. I thought of forgetting about it but I cannot. I find myself returning to it.’’
For a promising model and dancer who gave her name only as Rachel, she continues to recall her experience with the owner of an entertainment agency who she said continually demanded sexual tie.
Rachel said, “At the time, I was a bit desperate. I know that I am talented but eager to climb up the ladder of success.” She said that she realised early enough that the make-believe industry was a no-go area for her as she could not bend to certain rules.
Rachel said, “I have got and done many jobs on merit. However, there are still a significant few that make funny demands. I once struck a deal to work with an agency to help recruit other young entertainers; actresses, models and vixens for jobs until the guy started asking me to sleep with some men for better collaborations. I realised that it cannot work because even if one was to engage in such rubbish, how many men would one be intimate with?”
She also said she had been forging ahead as a young entertainer by taking up only jobs with matching pay for her and not the ones that appear too good to be true.
She added, “If not the passion for the things I do, on several occasions, I thought it’s hard to go far if one is unwilling to cut corners with the way things are. I tell people who care to know about my experience, especially younger girls so they can learn from it.”
A few weeks ago, a Twitter user identified only as Esosa trended when she exposed her experience with a man who insulted her following her refusal to give in to his sexual demands. She said the guy gave her a billboard job but was not ready to fully let her in on it unless they had intimate moments together.
When our correspondent reached out to her, she initially didn’t want to speak on the matter. She eventually agreed and offered to state her experience on condition of anonymity.
She narrated, “He said he was not going to have any percentage from my pay but I have to make him happy and I said I didn’t understand. He said as an adult I should stop pretending. My manager took it up from there. We tried to see if I could get the job first, at least because once I did, there was nothing he could do about it. I eventually chided him that that was disgusting of him to ask for such and I blocked his number.’’
She further said that her current job where she provides entertainment services was not different.
Different strokes
However, the case of a top model and video vixen identified only as Tolu is different. The high-flying model told Saturday PUNCH that she had never faced sexual harassment in her career,
She said, “I am one of those that do not have any experience around sex-for-roles. I actually do not have any close pals in my line that has experienced sexual harassment. I hear video models talk about it a lot but I never experienced such.”
Also, a model in the fashion industry who gave her name only as Zainab said she had not experienced such, adding that she only underwent pressure of being asked for something beyond her capacity to apply for certain roles. She, however, didn’t want to dwell on the instances of things beyond her capacity which she was asked for.
Zainab, who said she joined the nation’s fashion industry in 2016, added, “Some of my colleagues discuss it that some desperate ones were ready to do anything to get the jobs they want.”
In an earlier interview with Saturday PUNCH, actress, Ruby Ojiakor, noted that sexual advances slowed down her career as she turned down many of such requests.
She said then, “Sexual harassment is everywhere. I think every actress has experienced it at one point or the other in their careers. The people (who engage in it) do not care whether one is ugly or beautiful. All they want is to get laid. But, the question is, does one want to toe that path? Unfortunately, that is one of the things that slowed down my career. I refused to give in to the numerous sexual advances. I am not where I should be. These guys would deny one of many jobs that should have aided one’s career growth. However, I am not bothered. If I don’t get a job, they can give it to someone else.’’
A veteran in the Yoruba genre of Nollywood, Magaret Olatunde, otherwise known as Jumoke George, said in a recent interview with Sunday PUNCH that she was not called for movie jobs for 14 years because she refused to sleep with some people in the industry.
She said, “I did not leave (the industry) of my own volition. Some people in the industry wanted to sleep with me and I stood my ground that I would not do that with anyone in that sector. Because of that, I was not used or called for acting jobs for 14 years.’’
Faces of sexual demand
In 2018, a USA Today survey of 843 women in the American entertainment industry found 94 per cent say they had experienced harassment or assault.
Popular Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar, took to twitter not long ago to say she had started to produce her own movie due to the overwhelming demands for sex in exchange for movie roles. She stated that she lost over a 100 movies and did some free just to act.
In an email exchange with our correspondent, Abubakar added that she experienced demands forex in exchange for movie roles.
She explained, “I was abused, looked down on and sexually harassed.’’ Abubakar said that there was always a gang up to exclude her in getting roles, adding that in choosing actresses, she only recruits based on talents.
In her contribution skit maker, Gabbie Hannah, popularly known as Mizgabbie, advised girls against sex-for-roles in the entertainment industry.
In an interview with Mizgabbie, she noted that women were often scared to cry out about the issue of sexual harassment.
She added, “I do not think there is one way to do it. That is why I actually chose to talk to the ladies. If that is what you want to do, do it out of freewill and interest, not because of a role. If we as ladies say no to sex-for-roles, it will be reduced. It will be good if an agency can be set up to tackle the issue. But women will be scared to cry out because of isolation and blacklisting.”
Noting that some men also have similar experiences, she said, “I know of a close male friend that has gone through it. It was messy for him too and because of how society stereotypes men, they barely come out and talk.”
Commenting on the issue, President, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, noted that the guild had put structure in place to curb and check sex-for-roles in Nollywood among directors and producers.
He, however, stated that the structures were only accessible to registered members of the guild.
Noting that the guild rarely gets reports on such an issue, Rollas said, “Somebody has to speak out and then we will take it up from there. The basic rule is to report when one is sexually harassed. Members of our task force also go around asking questions on conduct of producers or directors in different sets. That is one of the few things we do to see how we can clamp down on people in this act.”
He also stated that one of the major contributors to the situation were actresses who desired to be stars overnight.
Besides, President, Theatre Art and Motion Pictures Practitioners of Nigeria, Bolaji Amusan, requested an interview at a convienent time.
In an earlier an interview with Saturday PUNCH, 66-year-old veteran actor and former President, AGN, Enugu branch, Diewait Ikpechukwu, said that he heard of the claims about sexual harassment all the time.
Ikpechukwu noted, “I have never observed anyone. What I know is that some of the new actors cannot really act. When they are not given a role, they would tell everyone that they were not picked for the role because they refused to give the director or producer sex. The industry should have grown beyond this. If there is any one (producer/director) who does this, they should desist. People should be judged only by their talent and expertise and nothing else.’’
Experts proffer solutions
In his comment on the matter, an intellectual property and entertainment lawyer, Rockson Igelige, noted that like sex-for-marks in institutions, sex-for-roles do exist.
Igelige added that some set of ladies would be quick to fall into the trap of sex-for-roles because of desperation for fame. Stating that some desperate, untalented actresses joined the industry and want to live above their means, he emphasised the need for talents in the entertainment industry.
He noted that talented entertainers would always find headway in the industry notwithstanding the obstacles because it’s a sector driven by creativity.
He said, “Sex-for-role is a criminal offence. It is considered sexual harassment and the victim can sue for emotional distress, though we’re in a conservative world where people find it hard talking about sex in public so most people will rather die in silence.’’
Another entertainment lawyer, Idris Balogun, stated that there was nothing wrong in females joining the entertainment industry, noting that the country’s constitution frowns at gender discrimination.
Balogun said, “Nigerian curriculum in the law education needs to be reviewed to incorporate entertainment laws. Lawyers should engage themselves in private studies pending the review and anybody going into the entertainment industry should take it upon themselves to get a lawyer. Prevention is better than cure. Before signing any contract, try to seek the advice of a lawyer.”
He also advised female entertainers subjected to sexual harassment to make complaints and stand their ground, adding, “Sexual harassment is considered a criminal offence. Apart from the fact that it’s considered a criminal offence, one can also sue for damages. The victims can approach lawyers; especially those under the domestic and violence response team to seek redress in court. They are charged with the responsibility of saving women or victims of sexual violence.”
On his part, a professor of clinical neuropsychology at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Abel Obosi, said that sexual harassment had psychological effects on the victims.
He noted that it could affect one’s mental health after being helpless when someone asked to be paid in kind for a favour done.
Noting that one might also develop low self-esteem or self-efficacy from the situation, he said, “Self-efficacy is the ability to know that one has the ability to do certain things. If you’re not permitting me to do it on your platform because I would not give my body, I’d rather not give my body until I get a better platform. Psychologically, there are significant effects on individuals but it depends on how well they develop their mental health so they can withstand the struggles.”
He added that as a coping mechanism, some victims could change roles or career paths, noting that those determined to do that thing again all odds might create their own platforms to express themselves.
Obosi explained, “By requiring them to give their bodies for the roles, you’re making it tedious for them. I think that regardless of gender, those making the demands need to be examined because it means they are exploiting and taking advantage of people because they want to follow their passions.”
Urging people especially the victims to always look inward before they make certain decisions, he said “Young female entertainers should make sure that money is not the core reason why they are going into entertainment. If money is the major reason, they are likely to give their bodies in such a situation when they are pressured. There must be a mental shift and mindset re-orientation to act on what is important. They must be diversified by developing other skills that would bring income.”
He also said that entertainment bodies and associations should have leadership who should be just and not allow such intrusion into people’s career paths.
Besides, a professor of psychology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Toba Elegbeleye, opined that there was a rat race going on in the entertainment industry, stating that young entertainers were dancing to the tune.
Elegbeleye stated that people would do what was available to settle their existential needs, saying that it was not enough to blame them for using sex as a bargain for what they desired.
He noted that economically, some people were not financially equipped to be among the bigwigs in the industry.
The lecturer added, “The youth are not generally empowered to be able to go into such industry and the bigwigs who are already in the guild would not look your way if you do not pander to their wishes. It is exploitation at the highest quarters and where exploitation reigns supreme, people are short-changed.”
The don said that a one-cure-all solution would not be effective unless the situation was collectively handled by the policymakers.
