Big Brother Naija star Angel Smith has taken a firm stand against rumors questioning her sexuality following a viral video that showed her in a cozy embrace with British-Nigerian rapper Darkoo (Oluwafisayo Isa). The video, which sparked widespread speculation online, led to a wave of backlash, prompting Angel to address the issue head-on. Her response, has ignited discussions about societal attitudes, personal freedom, and the pressures faced by public figures in Nigeria. In the screenshot of her statement, originally posted on Snapchat under her handle @JBMONEY, Angel passionately defends her autonomy while critiquing Nigerian societal norms.
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She begins, “Nigerians discover that other people don’t share the same politics as them and then lose their minds, like wow calling me a lesbian is not the gag you think it is nor is it an insult, bad news my fine ass.” She goes on to highlight the irony of the label, noting that “peeps who are roaming on the street freely and doing the absolute most to other people because cute jugs called me a lesbian, it’s like the fuel price is not scary enough for y’all.”
Read also: Angel Smith announces marriage plans following breakup with Soma
Angel, a 2021 BBNaija ‘Shine Ya Eye’ finalist, also reflects on her personal experiences, stating, “Mind you this is my life, people did not care when I was out on the streets as a child, did not care when I was outed at 15 because of my body, did not care when I was an adult and on the streets again.” She questions the public’s fixation on her identity, asking, “Did you guys also know that we will die one day and your opinions will be nothing more than a whisper caught in the wind? Shocking I know.” Her statement concludes with a call for acceptance and a rejection of homophobia: “Please let’s wrap it up by 12am West African Time. I love the guys and I love the girls, let me even prompt anyone to believe otherwise???? I am not homophobic, so sorry. Up rainbow abeg.”
The accompanying image in the YabaLeftOnline post shows Angel and Darkoo together, with Angel in a form-fitting top and Darkoo in sunglasses and a casual shirt, standing closely in what appears to be a relaxed, social setting.
The post, captures the moment that sparked the rumors, which Angel herself had posted before the speculation began. The response from X users has been mixed, reflecting the polarized views on sexuality in Nigeria. @Trey_khal directly asked, “you be lesbian abi u nor be lesbian,” while @justkency suggested, “There was no need for the long epistle, except you are soaking up the attention. Just answer the simple question and move on.” Others, like @Odunmi45, supported her autonomy, stating, “Angel is old enough to take decisions herself,” and @Rozam1030 added, “Do what you want 😉.”
Read also: Angel Smith and Soma reportedly part ways, unfollow each other
This incident sheds light on broader societal attitudes in Nigeria, where same-sex relationships remain criminalized under the 2014 Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, and public sentiment often leans heavily against the LGBTQ+ community. A 2022 report from GOV.UK noted that 75% of Nigerians polled supported the criminalization of same-sex relationships, though this marked a decline from 90% in 2015. The same report highlighted that lesbian and bisexual women are somewhat more accepted than gay men, but societal stigma remains pervasive.
Angel’s response also touches on her past struggles, including being on the streets as a child and facing public scrutiny over her body at a young age—experiences that have shaped her resilience. Her previous relationship with BBNaija All Stars contestant Soma had been public, but this new wave of speculation about her sexuality underscores the relentless scrutiny she faces as a reality TV star.
Angel’s statement continues to trend, with fans and critics alike engaging in heated debates. Her unapologetic stance serves as a powerful reminder of the need for greater acceptance and understanding, challenging societal norms while asserting her right to live authentically. Whether the conversation will shift broader attitudes remains to be seen, but Angel’s voice has undoubtedly added a significant layer to the ongoing discourse on identity and freedom in Nigeria.
