Nigerian actress Bukunmi Oluwashina has taken a firm and outspoken stance against the toxic competitiveness, rivalry, and jealousy she observes spreading among her female colleagues in the entertainment industry, describing it as a silent plague.
On Monday, December 16, the actress shared her candid thoughts on Instagram, drawing a stark comparison between the competitive atmosphere among female celebrities and the positive camaraderie she witnesses among their male counterparts.
Bukunmi expressed her deep admiration for the unity and support shared by male actors. She highlighted how they manage to uplift one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and create opportunities for growth without allowing envy to take root—even when pursuing similar goals.
Her message serves as both a critique and a call for change, urging women in the industry to embrace collaboration over rivalry.
She wrote:
“I envy these men. Just take a look at them. The way they contain each other, support each other, grow together…
“Their collective growth is evident in how they acknowledge and cheer each other on, despite sharing the same goals. The joy I feel when I run into one of my fav actor’s movies on my fav director’s page. And how the actor sings the Director’s praise in his absence, even though he is also a director..”
In sharp contrast, Bukunmi bemoaned the poisonous culture that frequently erodes the relationship between female celebrities, a hideous mixture of rivalry, antagonism, and anger that forges an impenetrable rift.
She described situations in which she was expressly cautioned not to offer assistance or compassion to a female coworker out of concern that she would “offend” another. Bukunmi went on:
Bukunmi continued;
“I pray I Withness this someday with my gender in this field. You people make loving genuinely like a very difficult thing. It cost nothing. Someone asked me “How do you think this person would feel for posting that person? You are supposed to post this Person first and then post that. This person won’t like or drop a comment if you post that person” How did we get here??
“And some fans from the pit of hell would be asking you too choose a side. Are we on a battlefield? Okay, if we are, what are we fighting for? Crown? Money? Post? Nice one, which of them are we taking with us when we die? I am not even going to blame some bitter followers who act like they are not loved ay home. The energy they see is what they give.”
Bukunmi clearly stated her opinion, drawing a line in the sand: she will never be forced to take sides or foster animosity in order to appease the fears or resentments of others.
With unwavering determination, she conveyed a message to people who thrive on negativity: I don’t want to be involved in their small-time games, jealous rivalries, or quiet conflicts.
She added;
“Let it be known that i am at peace with everyone and this heart has no limitation in love. I am not going to war with anyone for anyone unless they PERSONALLY give me a reason.
“Joy is no joy to me if its purpose is to make other people feel sad. And love is not love if it’s not shared with those who don’t deserve it.”