Popular Nollywood actor and comedian, AY Makun, has recently addressed widespread speculation regarding a perceived shade directed at female colleagues following his public criticism of male counterparts for their lack of support.
The controversy began shortly after AY premiered his latest movie, The Waiter. In a heartfelt social media post, the comedian expressed his disappointment at the lack of promotional support he received from fellow male actors.
His post quickly gained traction online, igniting a wave of reactions and speculations that the comedian might have been shading Nollywood actresses, many of whom have been achieving remarkable milestones in the industry.
Responding to the speculations, AY Makun took to X (formerly Twitter) to set the record straight.
In his tweet, the father of two clarified that his earlier post was in no way a dig at the achievements of Nollywood actresses, whom he described as hardworking and deserving of their success.
AY emphasized that he has always supported and encouraged the women in the industry and maintained that his frustration was solely directed at the lack of solidarity among male actors.
His tweet read, “And I repeat, ‘WEY TIN MAN DO MAN?’ Begging your fellow male actors to join you in promoting your film shouldn’t be a big deal. Especially when I have always been doing the same for everyone.”
The comedian also shed light on his grievances with some male colleagues who allegedly abandon the projects they were paid to work on, only to promote competing films. He expressed frustration over the breach of professional agreements, pointing out how such actions undermine the efforts of filmmakers.
He continued, “Do you know how frustrating it is to pay actors who end up promoting other films and abandoning the one that they are in… EVEN with signed contracts?”
By addressing the controversy, AY Makun sought to shift the narrative away from the women in Nollywood who have recently achieved groundbreaking feats. He reiterated that his criticism was directed at his male colleagues, urging them to show more camaraderie and support within the industry.
He concluded his statement by emphasizing the importance of mutual support among men in the industry, saying, “My last tweet has nothing to do with the hardworking women who are winning in the industry as they all have my direct support and encouragement to date. MEN SHOULD ALSO SUPPORT MEN.”
The comedian’s remarks have sparked discussions within Nollywood and among fans, with many praising his call for solidarity and professionalism.
While some supported his stance, others argued that the challenges of promoting films go beyond individual efforts and require a broader commitment from the industry as a whole.
AY Makun’s movie, The Waiter, has already begun to gain attention despite the controversies, with fans expressing their excitement over the project. The movie, which explores compelling themes and features a stellar cast, underscores AY’s continued dedication to pushing the boundaries of creativity in Nollywood.
As the conversation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the industry will respond to the comedian’s concerns.
For now, AY Makun’s clarifications have provided some clarity, reinforcing his support for female colleagues while highlighting the need for greater unity and professionalism among male actors in Nollywood.
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