Actor Deyemi Okanlawon has publicly shown support for singer Simi following the intense backlash over her recent comments on rape and sexual violence.
Deyemi took to X on Monday to repost one of Simi’s messages, stressing that conversations around sexual violence should not be derailed. He wrote:
“‘When women say STOP rapng women*… your response cannot be what about men/children or what about false accusers. Your reply must only be YES!!! You can start a separate conversation about anything else at another time and place.”
How the controversy started
The debate erupted on February 18 after a TikToker known as Mirabel posted a video alleging she had been raped. The clip went viral and sparked widespread condemnation online. However, as inconsistencies later emerged, the claim was reported to be false—triggering sharp divisions on social media.
Simi’s position
In a series of posts on X, the 37-year-old singer argued that sexual violence is far more common than many are willing to admit.
“Almost every woman I know personally has been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives,” she wrote.
She insisted that the existence of false accusations should not be used to silence victims, asking pointed questions about accountability and everyday behaviour that often goes unchecked.
Simi also highlighted the fear many women live with, urging people to speak directly to the women in their lives rather than dismissing their experiences. She called on men to hold one another accountable, arguing that harmful behaviour is often excused under the guise of friendship or indifference.
In one post, she addressed personal safety, noting that she carries protective items when going out, even with her child, to underline where the real fear lies.
Backlash and resurfaced tweets
Following reports that Mirabel’s claim was false, critics accused Simi of being insensitive. Old tweets from 2012 resurfaced in which she joked about interactions with children at a daycare. Some users mischaracterised the posts, labelling her a pedophile and calling for her to be cancelled. A derogatory nickname also briefly trended online.
Despite the backlash, supporters—including Deyemi—have argued that Simi’s core message was about confronting sexual violence and resisting attempts to derail that conversation.
As the debate continues, the incident has once again exposed how quickly conversations around rape, accountability, and false allegations can polarise public discourse—especially when amplified by social media.
