Nollywood actor Deyemi Okanlawon has spoken out against the growing culture of online celebrity mocking, calling on Nigerians to replace criticism with empathy when discussing public figures.
The actor expressed concern about what he described as the constant attacks celebrities face on social media, saying many people are quick to judge without understanding the realities of living in the public eye.
According to Deyemi, fame comes with pressures that outsiders rarely see, making it unfair for people to reduce celebrities to insults and derogatory labels.
Deyemi condemns the use of ‘Yeyebrities’
Speaking on the issue, the actor frowned on the popular slang term “yeyebrities,” often used on social media to ridicule entertainers and influencers.
He argued that belittling another person’s success or public image reflects more on the person making the comments than on the celebrity being targeted.
“I see people who have no idea what the challenge is that people in the spotlight are facing. They just come up with a lot of things. It’s sad to see,” he said.
Deyemi added that constantly trying to diminish other people’s achievements is unhealthy and can have unintended consequences.
“People even call celebrities ‘yeyebrities’ because I’m like, whatever you diminish in somebody else’s life, you can never achieve.”
‘You don’t know what tomorrow holds’
The actor also urged people to think about the future before mocking those in the spotlight.
According to him, no one can predict where life may lead, and he warns that someone from the same family who mocks celebrities today could one day become a public figure and face similar treatment.
“Let’s just pray that in your lineage, nobody finds their way into the spotlight, because if that happens, then you’ve opened up the door for such things to be said about them.”
His comments highlight the emotional toll that public criticism can have on celebrities, many of whom continue to deal with personal struggles away from the cameras despite appearing successful.
Calls for more empathy online
Deyemi concluded by encouraging Nigerians to approach celebrities with greater compassion rather than making harsh assumptions about their lives.
While acknowledging that public figures naturally attract attention and scrutiny, he stressed that fame does not make anyone immune to emotional pain or personal challenges.
His remarks have since sparked conversations online, with many agreeing that celebrities deserve to be treated with the same respect and empathy afforded to everyone else, regardless of their public status.
