Nigerian actress Nkechi Blessing has confirmed the arrest of a woman who took her photo at the gym without consent, after the image went viral and sparked widespread online body-shaming.
The photo, showing the actress working out, drew mixed reactions from social media users, with many criticizing her natural physique. Blessing has long maintained that her gym sessions are for fitness, not fashion or public display.
Speaking on the Honest Bunch podcast, the actress broke down as she recounted the emotional toll of being body-shamed. She stressed that she felt violated when the image was shared without her permission.
Announcing the arrest, Blessing accused the woman of deliberately taking the photo to ridicule her appearance. She explained that the gym initially withheld the suspect’s identity, but she eventually tracked her down with the support of authorities.
“I wear clothes that make me comfortable. You get BBL and you dey snap me that has a natural body. Are you stupid? iFitness hid her information, but I found her and got her arrested,” the actress said, highlighting her frustration at the invasion of privacy.
The incident has sparked conversations about privacy, consent, and the growing culture of online body-shaming in Nigeria, with many public figures weighing in on the emotional impact such actions can have.
Blessing has called on the public to respect personal boundaries and avoid judging individuals based on appearances, emphasizing the importance of self-care and mental health.
