Why I Wanted to Bleach My Skin – Actress Linda Osifo
Nollywood actress Linda Osifo recently shared a candid revelation about her past, disclosing that she once contemplated skin bleaching while living in Canada as a result of enduring racial slurs and derogatory comments.
Born in Benin City, Nigeria, Osifo relocated to Canada at the age of 16. During a recent interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, she recounted the traumatic experiences of racism she encountered, emphasizing the emotional toll it took on her, primarily because it emanated from individuals within her social circle.
In the interview, host Chude inquired, “You talked about wanting to bleach your skin because when you grow up, people would call me a monkey (sic). [Did] this literally happen?”
Osifo responded, confirming the painful reality, saying, “Yeah. It happens absolutely. And it happens from your shade too, you know. So, that’s why it’s even more of a weird thing. I always feel that those who get bullied, don’t get bullied by outsiders. It’s from within. Because if somebody else says it, you may not care, but if somebody who is around you, who you are always kinda seeing every other day says it, it hurts more.”
She went on to reveal that these hurtful experiences occurred during her teenage years while residing in Canada. However, she highlighted the positive impact of returning to Nigeria, where she encountered more individuals who shared her ethnic background and physical appearance.
Linda Osifo expressed how relocating to Nigeria played a pivotal role in fostering a sense of self-appreciation and acceptance within herself, ultimately helping her overcome the challenges she faced while living abroad.
