As a TV presenter, I’ve had the “privilege” of attending numerous events, concerts, and award shows featuring Nigerian celebrities. I have also had to interview many on the red carpet at these events. And let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride.
I’ve noticed a disturbing trend that has left me feeling frustrated and disappointed. The negative attitudes and habits of some Nigerian celebrities at events are not only unprofessional but also disrespectful to their fans. One of the most glaring issues is the chronic lateness of headliners. It’s not uncommon for concerts to start hours behind schedule, leaving fans restless and frustrated. I mean, what’s the point of having a red carpet if you’re going to stroll in 8 hours late?
But what’s even more infuriating is when these late-arriving performers proceed to ask the audience to sing their songs for them. It’s like they’re expecting the fans to do their job for them. Newsflash: if you’re the headliner, it’s your responsibility to deliver a memorable performance, not to get the audience to do your bidding. I don’t want to talk about how sloppy some of the performances end up being…from poorly choreographed dancers, to inappropriate props, to poor audio, to bad stage lighting, to an uncoordinated half-baked performance set…the list is endless!
And then there’s the annoying trend of performers asking the audience to put on their phone’s torchlight and wave. I get it, it’s a nice way to create a festive atmosphere, but let’s be real, it’s also a stark reminder of the lack of stable electricity in Nigeria. It’s like, “Hey, guys, let’s all use our phone lights to pretend we have electricity!” Please, I didn’t buy this phone for you and I. What do you still want from fans even after buying the pricey tickets from organizers because your performance fee is unrealistically too high?!
But the problems don’t end when the concert finally comes to a close. Fans are often left stranded, struggling to find transportation home because it’s too late to get a vehicle. And to make matters worse, street gates are often locked, leaving fans to navigate the dark streets in search of a way home. It’s like, “Thanks for coming, guys! Now, good luck getting home…or not.”
And let’s not forget the Sunday concerts that leave fans scrambling to get to work on Monday morning. It’s like these performers and event organizers have no regard for the fact that many of their fans have to wake up early the next day to go to work or school. How will fans pay for these outrageously pricy concerts if they’re fired from work? Lol.
What’s even more disturbing is the growing trend of celebrities treating their fans with utter disrespect. I’ve seen cases where fans’ phones are thrown away by celebrities, simply because they were trying to take a selfie. I’ve witnessed security aides shoving fans roughly, just for trying to get a glimpse of their favorite star. And, in some cases, the celebrities themselves have slapped or hit fans on stage. Yes, you read that right! It’s like they think they’re above the law, and that their fans are nothing more than mere mortals who should be grateful for their presence.
I recall the infamous incident where a popular Nigerian musician slapped a fan on stage for trying to take a selfie with him. The musician claimed that the fan was “disrespecting” him, but I think it’s safe to say that the only one who was disrespecting anyone was the musician himself. I mean, if you can’t handle a selfie, how are you going to handle the pressures of fame?
And then there was the case where a celebrity’s security aide was caught on camera shoving a fan roughly, just for trying to get a glimpse of the star. The fan was left bruised and shaken, but the celebrity didn’t even bother to apologize. I guess that’s what they mean by “VIP treatment.”
I’ve had the opportunity to interact with many of these celebrities, and I can tell you that some of them are genuinely passionate about their craft and appreciate their fans. However, there are others who seem to take their fans for granted, showing up late, delivering subpar performances, and disrespecting the very people who have made them stars.
It’s time for Nigerian celebrities to take responsibility for their actions and start treating their fans with the respect and appreciation they deserve. It’s time for them to realize that their fans are not just mere spectators, but people who have invested their time, money, and emotions into their music, movies, and other creative endeavors.
I’ll continue to call out these celebrities when they fail to meet the standards of professionalism and respect that their fans deserve. It’s time for a change, and I hope that by speaking out, I can help bring about a more positive and respectful attitude from Nigerian celebrities towards their fans. After all, as the saying goes, “with great power comes great responsibility.” And if Nigerian celebrities can’t handle the responsibility that comes with their fame, then maybe they shouldn’t be famous in the first place.