Popular skit maker Kemi Ikuseedun, known as Mummy Wa or Kemz Mama, has shared her personal experiences with sexual harassment in the film industry, revealing the challenges she faced as she attempted to establish her career.
Speaking on the WithChude podcast, Mummy Wa discussed the unwanted advances she encountered from filmmakers, which she turned down, knowing they wouldn’t guarantee her success in the industry.
Reflecting on her experiences behind the scenes, Mummy Wa emphasized that sexual harassment is a pervasive issue affecting women in the industry, regardless of their appearance or position.
“What I said related more behind the scenes, not even as an actor. Behind the scenes, a lot of people are asking for things. They are asking for a whole lot of things. But me, I cannot do it,” she stated.
Expressing her dismay over the industry’s culture, she questioned the value of compromising oneself for roles that may not lead to career growth.
“To be honest with you, you might actually sleep with somebody in the movie industry, and the role they will give you will not ‘blow.’ You will still be there,” she remarked, highlighting the false promises often associated with such advances.
Mummy Wa, who rose to fame through her appearances in Mr. Macaroni’s skits, underscored that no woman in the industry is immune from these pressures.
“No woman is free. No woman is immune. But me, I cannot do it,” she added, reiterating her resolve to pursue her career on her own terms.
