By Rita Okoye
For millions of Nigerians who watch the hit online skit series Mr. Macaroni, the character “Mummy Wa” has become a household name — known for her stern looks, conservative dressing, and hilarious reactions to her philandering on-screen husband, Mr. Macaroni, played by Debo Adedayo. But behind the viral character is the versatile actress and comedienne, Kemi Ikuseedun, also popularly known as Kemz Mama.
In a recent interview with Saturday Sun, the Lagos-born star opened up on the issues of sexual harassment in the Nigerian entertainment scene.
“I think every girl has faced that. Even a girl that is not so freaky has faced sexual harassment. Some very stupid guys have tried to do certain things. This industry is hiding a lot of them, that’s the truth. A lot of girls want to act, but some men in the industry are taking advantage of them,” she noted.
She also revealed that it’s not just women who experience inappropriate advances, but men often don’t report such experiences. “Maybe a female producer or director says something like that to them, they don’t complain, they like it. But for girls, we are more sensitive to things like these, and it’s more on us.”
Following her breakout role as Mummy Wa, it’s no surprise that producers often expect her to replicate the magic on every set she steps into. “Yes oh! Every time I enter set, it’s ‘Please give us that Mummy Wa vibe.’ And I understand it, the character connects deeply with people. I always remind them that while I love Mummy Wa, I’m also an actor with range. So, I’ll give you that Mummy Wa magic if the story calls for it, but I’m also open to roles that show other sides of me. Even Mummy Wa sef no be only comedy she sabi, sometimes she get depth.”
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