Nigerian actress Bolaji Ogunmola has addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding a brief kiss between her and actor Daniel Etim-Effiong in the promotional video for their new romantic movie, Summer Rain.
On January 9, 2024, the video clip was released on social media, sparking widespread reactions. In the five-second snippet, Daniel, known for his reserved public persona, was seen sharing an intimate moment with his co-star, Bolaji.
However, the kiss triggered strong disapproval from many online commentators, particularly those who pointed out Daniel’s marital status and voiced concerns about its impact on his wife, Toyosi.
The backlash was swift, and the video quickly went viral, with Toyosi becoming a trending topic on X (formerly Twitter). The discussions ranged from criticisms of the actors to broader debates about boundaries in professional acting.
While some users supported Daniel’s artistic freedom, others questioned the necessity of such a scene, given his personal life. Bolaji Ogunmola, who found herself at the center of the controversy, decided to break her silence and address the situation. She took to X to clarify the context of the video, emphasizing its professional nature and the importance of separating fiction from reality.
In her response, Bolaji explained that the kiss was part of their contractual obligations as actors. She emphasized that it was a promotional shoot conducted in the presence of cameras and numerous crew members.
She further clarified that Daniel was not there as a husband but as a professional actor playing a character named Adimchi, who is deeply in love with her character, Murewa. “Was he professional? Yes!” Bolaji wrote, adding that professionalism should not be confused with personal relationships. Her response was an attempt to shift focus back to the film and its artistic value.
Bolaji also highlighted the promotional success of the video, pointing out that it garnered 1.3 million impressions in a short time. She hinted that if a 16-second video could generate such buzz, the full movie, set to premiere in cinemas on February 7, 2025, would undoubtedly captivate audiences.
While her statement aimed to quell the backlash, it also reignited discussions, as some fans praised her for her professionalism, while others remained skeptical. The controversy, however, seemed to serve its purpose of drawing attention to the upcoming film.
Despite Bolaji’s explanation, reactions from fans remained divided. Some commenters supported her stance, acknowledging the effectiveness of the promotional strategy and jokingly noting that the controversy had achieved its goal of sparking conversations about the movie.
Others, however, expressed discomfort, particularly from the perspective of Daniel’s wife, with comments such as, “It’s all fun and games until it’s your Husbae.” The mixed reactions underscored the challenges actors face in balancing their professional and personal lives, especially when public perception blurs the lines between fiction and reality.
