The year 2023 has been eventful for actresses Moyo Lawal, Judy Austin and Empress Njamah. All three faced controversies that tested their resolve, but they managed to overcome these challenges. Nothing discouraged them, whether threats, blackmail, intimidation or pressure. They fought different battles and seemed to emerge victorious, at least in appearance.
Moyo Lawal and the sex tape saga: In September 2023, a private video of Moyo Lawal having sex with an alleged lover surfaced on social media. This video caused a lot of negative controversy and many believed that it could end the actress’s career, or even plunge her into depression. But they were wrong.
Days after the scandal, Moyo Lawal reassured her fans that she was still strong and would not change who she was because of this event and the bad press that came with it.
“I want to emphasize that this video, made with my ex-fiancé at the time, was not intended for public distribution, and its unauthorized distribution violates my boundaries.”
As for those who thought I posted this video because of a ridiculous story that I didn’t point fingers, make accusations or blame anyone and chose to stay silent to put end this all quickly, I honestly don’t know what to tell you.
“It is said that what does not kill us makes us stronger and changes us. I pray that I become carefree and outgoing, because living the right way has shown my enemies their powerlessness.
“To those who orchestrated this plan to drive my enemy mad and end her career, I just want to tell you that I have not lost my faith; I am still standing, growing, thriving and in good luck in charge,” she responded in a series of posts on social media.
Judy Austin’s Husband-Stealing Saga: The year 2022 was difficult for Judy Austin, when her on-screen partner, Yul Edochie, publicly declared that she was his second wife and the mother of his child. This almost destroyed the actress, as Internet users and her colleagues attacked her, calling her a “husband stealer”.
The curvy actress could hardly go anywhere on social media without facing insults. If 2022 was a difficult year for Judy, 2023 was no less so.
“I never thought I had this much stamina,” Judy Austin said of her experience as Yul Edochie’s second wife.
In a post, she revealed the difficulties she faced as the second wife of actor Yul Edochie. She said many people had the wrong ideas about her and tried to smear her reputation. The actress also said the lessons she learned in 2022 centered around endurance.
An extract from his statement states:
“I learned a lot this year…I never thought I had so much endurance in me, until endurance became the only option…God has truly shown me that I am the ‘one of his strongest creations, my life is a miracle… So much was left unsaid… people assumed the worst and spread it… some bloggers ganged up on me to tarnish my reputation…”
Faced with pressure that didn’t seem to be easing in 2023, Judy decided to reveal the true story of her relationship with Yul Edochie and his first wife, May. Expressing her frustration with the constant insults from netizens who don’t know the whole story, Judy announced on her official Instagram account that she would break the silence. She mentioned that she had been silent for over a year and was planning to do a live video to explain the whole matter to concerned Nigerians who were willing to listen. However, to show that she is not affected by the situation, she shared a post on her Instagram account earlier this year in which she declared herself the most beautiful woman in the world and attributed her glow to God who is her protective.
The sex tape and blackmail of Empress Njamah: For actress Empress Njamah, she refused to be a victim of love after a suitor with whom she was to marry, after announcing their engagement in 2022, turned against her. The story actually started in 2022 but reached its climax in 2023.
Their relationship gained worldwide attention when her ex-boyfriend, known as George Wade, posted her nude photos and videos on social media after blackmailing her.
Njamah said in an interview that Wade unknowingly “disguised himself” as a lover and was “gathering the tools he would use to blackmail me.”
A few months later, it seems that the actress has turned the page on this sad experience. At the height of the crisis, she said Wade had hacked her phone and was “managing” her social media. But apparently, she has regained control of her account and is posting photos and videos of her activities.
A few months after this bitter experience, Njamah jokingly asked his followers to pay him money into his bank account.