How colorism forced Habibat Jinadu to bleach her skin

Veteran Yoruba actress Habibat Jinadu has spoken up on her decision to bleach her skin, revealing that she was influenced by the alleged discrimination in the film industry towards dark complexion.

The actress, while opening up during an interview with BBC Yoruba, explained that directors frequently favored fair-skinned actors, making it difficult for darker-skinned performers to get movie roles.

Jinadu added that although she initially ignored the negative remarks, a deeply hurtful insult comparing her natural appearance to an animal pushed her over the edge.

”Back then, if you were not fair, nobody would call you for jobs. Whenever they turned the light on us on a movie set, the director would say I was too dark. I didn’t pay much attention to it until someone said I looked like a monkey,” she said.

Jinadu added that the constant criticism and rejection over her skin tone eventually pushed her to lighten her complexion.