Loosing weight is a big deal and many — male and female, take the step for different purposes. While some celebrities are vocal about their journey and why they chose to shed some weight, others do the work behind the scene and never address their fans publicly, unknowingly alarming their fans into thinking something is amiss.
WITHIN NIGERIA takes an intricate look at top 5 female celebrities who have sent their fans scampering in fear and worry with their very obvious weight loss, with little to no explanation until after sporting their new look.
Alexx Ekubo-Okwaraeke is a superstar Nigerian actor and model born April 10, 1986 in Port Harcourt. He is a native of Arochukwu Abia State.
The 39-year-old eligible bachelor is well loved by many for his craft as well as his good looks.
Alexx Ekubo has featured in countless movies, television shows as well as music videos and has won awards to acknowledge his prowess.
The actor who is known to be active on social media recently took a hiatus since December 30, 2024, and is yet to resume.
Alexx’s fans have been worried sick due to his absence on social media and have been sending messages to him via the comments section of his old posts.
Weeks ago on May 2, 2025, a video of the actor surfaced on social media.
In the new clip that has now gone viral, Alexx Ekubo was spotted playing with two kids and by extension many noticed a change in his physical appearance.
The video set tongues wagging online, with claims that the actor has lost some weight. Many went on to ask if he is fine, stressing that he does not seem okay.
Nigerian actress, film director and producer Mercy Johnson-Okojie was born August 28, 1984. She is a 40-year-old movie star who began her acting career over two decades ago.
Born in Lagos, despite hailing from Okene in Kogi state, Mercy Johnson is married to politician, Prince Odianosen Okojie and their marriage is blessed with four children.
As the month of April drew to an end, the actress shared a video on her Instagram page, eliciting a flurry of comments from fans. In the clip, Mercy Johnson showcased her noticeably slimmer physique, sparking concerns from observers who expressed worry over her health.
Addressing the worrying reactions, the 40-year-old stated that she had not undergone any surgery for those who might think that her drastic weight loss is as a result of going under a surgeon’s knife.
She noted that she has been selling weight-loss products for years, adding that using one of them will “dry you up in two months”.
The movie star humorously dismissed the idea of undergoing any surgical procedure, stating that her husband, a “traditional Esan man,” would never allow it.
However, Mercy Johnson’s clarification did not stop fans from indicating that they were not pleased with her new look.
Mercy Johnson’s alarming new look reignited discussions about her health, particularly after her previous revelation about a thyroid-related health issue some years ago.
In an episode of her cooking show— Mercy’s Menu— Johnson had disclosed to her guest and veteran actress, Joke Silva, that she had undergone thyroid surgery after doctors identified a lump on her neck, which was initially feared to be cancerous. She clarified that it was a cancer scare, not an actual diagnosis, and that she was now on lifelong medication to manage her condition.
Third on this list is former Big Brother Naija season 4 housemate, Anita Natacha Akide, popularly known as Tacha, who set many tongues wagging as a result of her new look.
The reality show star cum media personality born December 23, 1995 alarmed her fans when a video of her, upon her relocation to the UK went viral.
In February, netizens noticed that Tacha has undergone a noticeable weight loss and while some of them expressed concern, others criticized her for loosing “too much weight”, and claimed she used a diabetic medication, Ozempic, to aid weight loss.
However, addressing her detractors in a video post, Tacha denied using medication to aid weight loss and slammed them for belittling her hard work at the gym. She fumed:
“Why is it so difficult for you people to give me my credit? Everything I do, you must link it to something. Is it my fault you have decided to be mediocre? I’m looking good as hell, and they say it’s Ozempic. Will Ozempic have your body looking this toned? Go and take Ozempic then. It’s not my fault you decided to prioritize sugar and late-night food. Everyone on my Snapchat knows that by 5 a.m., I’ve woken up to go to the gym while you are still snoring. By 10 pm, you’re molding amala to eat, and you want to have a flat tummy like this.”
Nigerian reality TV star, poet and writer, Angel JB Smith is another celebrity who alarmed her fans with her trimmer figure.
Angel whose popularity skyrocketed after featuring on the Big Brother Naija season 6 (Shine Ya Eye) reality TV show in 2021 sported a slimmer physique during an Instagram live session on January 18, 2025.
While many applauded her transformation, some suggested that her recent weight loss was achieved through Ozempic, a diabetes medication.
Not having it, the 25-year-old on X berated her critics, crediting her transformation to healthy lifestyle choices and hard work, including regular gym workouts and quitting alcohol. Angel in a fiery response wrote:
“You weirdo lame ass hoes have been speaking on my body since 2021, give it a rest.
“Someone can not go to the gym and stop drinking alcohol without you all coming on here with your ugly ass lips talking about some Ozempic, shut up and stop speaking on my body.”
Last but not least is popular Nigerian movie actress Mimi Chaka, who came into limelight for her role as ‘Tumini’, in the popular web series ‘The Men’s Club’. While she hails from Akwa Ibom State, the actress has gone on to feature in multiple movies, sealing her acting prowess.
Although Mimi was not exactly on the overly plump side when she gained fame, she significantly began to shed weight months ago, triggering reactions from her fan base who wondered why.
Mimi Chaka’s weightloss has been met with both positive and negative feedback.
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