In a candid outpouring of frustration, Josephina Otabor, better known as Phyna, a reality star who has courted controversy, has voiced her disillusionment with the rampant sabotage in Nollywood.
Phyna, who made her acting debut in the 2023 film ‘Osato,’ painted a grim picture of the Nigerian film industry, branding it as “insane.”
The reality star expressed a deep-seated regret about her Nigerian roots.
In a post on her X handle, she wrote, “It appears the Nollywood industry is equally insane. I’m exhausted. People seem to thrive on making things difficult for others. I wish I had been born far from here.”
What prompted Phyna’s emotional statement?
Phyna’s emotional statement appears to have been prompted by a combination of personal and professional challenges.
On the personal front, she had a tumultuous relationship with a fellow housemate, Groovy, during her time on the reality show Big Brother Naija. She initially had genuine feelings for him, but these dissipated when she discovered he was not sincere and had feelings for another housemate.
On the professional front, Phyna has been feeling the pressure of being a celebrity. In a video that went viral, she broke down in tears, expressing her struggle with mental health and the negative impact of fans on her well-being. She mentioned that she was finding it tough to cope with the expectations and scrutiny that come with fame.
In addition to these, Phyna also faced controversy over her views on abortion, for which she later issued a public apology. All these factors seem to have contributed to her emotional state and her wish to distance herself from the spotlight.
Who Is Phyna?
Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, better known as Phyna, is a Nigerian actress, model, hype woman, entertainer, and reality TV star. She was born on June 2, 1997, and hails from Ekpon in Edo state. Despite her community being in Edo State, she identifies as Igbo by tribe.
Phyna is a commercial model and started her career from college, where she was signed by a modeling agency. She completed her studies in the Engineering Department at Auchi Polytechnic.
She gained fame as the winner of Big Brother Naija season 7. During the season finale of the show on October 2, 2022, she was declared the winner, scoring 40.74% of the final votes. This made her the second female to win the show, three years after Mercy Eke won it.
Phyna has also made her mark in the film industry. She made her acting debut in the 2023 movie ‘Osato,’ where she played the titular role. She has also appeared in other productions such as ‘Leaving Beauty’ and ‘Shattered Innocence’.
In addition to her acting and modeling career, Phyna is also a successful businesswoman. She has several endorsements with brands like Firegin, Spedy Herbals, Rixari Skin Secrets, BeUnique Wears, and Spedy Weightloss.
