Nigerian actress Regina Daniels has broken her silence following intense public criticism over her marriage to Senator Ned Nwoko, urging Nigerians to stop attacking her mother, Rita Daniels, and to understand that her marriage was a decision made from love, not greed.
In an emotional video shared on Instagram on Wednesday, the screen star addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding her relationship, revealing the deep emotional toll that years of public judgment have taken on her and her family.
“The main essence of this video is to please, stop insulting my mom. For some reason, I feel like I owe you all this explanation… I don’t know why everyone is in pain about my life,” she said, struggling to hold back tears.
The actress described her mother as “the best thing that ever happened to me,” insisting that her family actually tried to dissuade her from marrying Nwoko, but she followed her heart.
“She’s my god on earth. She tried. You all insulted her. But she tried. It’s me. I’m the one with the coconut head. I’m so ashamed to say I fell in love. But I actually really did,” she said.
Her statement reflects the broader reality many young Nigerian women in the spotlight face — torn between personal happiness and societal expectations. Regina, who married Nwoko at 19, said she was unfairly portrayed as a gold digger despite her success as an actress and producer.
“You all stop saying I got married out of greed. Excuse me. No. We were not broke,” she added.
In one of the most vulnerable parts of the video, Regina revealed that the overwhelming pressure and criticism once pushed her to the brink of suicide.
“My family does not want me to marry the love of my life… I went to the police station and said, ‘Arrest me.’ My family was looking for me… But I actually did fall in love,” she recounted.
Despite her current marital challenges, the actress vowed to fight for her children and give them stability.
“I’ll fight for my children, Ned. I tried to be calm. I tried to let go, but I’ll fight for them. I’ll train them. I’ll raise them, with or without your support,” she said.
Okay News reports that the public fallout between Regina Daniels and Senator Ned Nwoko has drawn widespread reactions on social media.
While Nwoko has denied allegations of abuse, the actress’s emotional video has reignited conversations about the mental health pressures of celebrity marriages in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
