Mercy Aigbe: The Most Controversial Nollywood Actress Of 2018

Meet Mercy Aigbe, The Most Scandalous Nigerian Actress Of The Year

Nollywood actress Mercy Aigbe’s elegance and style have not only earned her mouth-watering deals that ran into millions of naira, but also, they have made her the favourite of producers of both Yoruba and English movies. Yet, the mother of one is largely considered as one of the most controversial actresses in the history of the Nigerian movie industry.

Perhaps, before last year, Aigbe was not as she appears to be today. Then she was seen as a viable actress, who holds a lot of promises for the industry. But not until early last year when she lost all that to controversy following her widely reported breakup with her estranged husband, Lanre Gentry.

Aigbe and her estranged husband fell out after she accused him of infidelity and physical violence which she said affected her sight and caused her to bleed internally for over three weeks. Their break up saga trended on social media side by side with that of Tonto Dikeh’s crashed marriage. But unlike Tonto Dikeh’s, Aigbe’s predicament, however,caught the attention of the Lagos State Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Commissioner, Lola Akande, who reportedly dragged Mr. Gentry to court on a three-count charge of domestic violence, assault and threat to life. And the rest is history.

However, while the buzz was still trending, the actress got everyone talking again following her 40th birthday outfit, which she shared on her Instagram page. For weeks, the Edo State-born actress was receiving bash on social media by Nigerians after a bride accused her of using her dress for birthday shots.

The aggrieved bride, Lawrentta whose wedding was scheduled for the 29th of December, 2017 had called out her designer, Maryam Elisha (@rikaotobyme and tongue-lashed her for giving out her wedding dress. In defending her action, the designer blamed it on a dispatch error as both dresses ordered by Aigbe and the aggrieved bride-to-be were of the same style and measurement. It was a major scandal for the beautiful actress who was just trying to put up a brave front despite the embarrassment and pain inflicted on her ego. But after all said and done, the embittered actress took to her Instagram page to apologize to the bride, describing the situation as ‘ painful, unfortunate and regrettably avoidable.’

She did not stop there. She went on to explain how she hired and paid one Seun, a stylist for the photoshoot and got four dresses for the shoot, adding that they were unaware that one of the dresses was meant for someone else.

“I am embarrassed that the designer was not professional enough in handling events leading to this moment. It is also painful that a bride is made to go through what she went through. I sincerely sympathize with the bride,.” she said.

While the buzz lasted for weeks, Mercy Aigbe was not spared as her critics seized the opportunity of the mix-up to rain abuses on her. Yet, the more she was criticised and mocked, the more she glowed like the morning dew. Feeling undefeated, and ever radiating, the actress continued to wax stronger and stronger, leaving no one in doubt that she’s truly enjoying her single parenthood. And if not for anything, her applauded style and fashion statement that have complemented her new status.

Meanwhile, smarting from that birthday dress saga, Mercy Aigbe got enmeshed in another scandal that almost overwhelmed her. Few months back, those in the know had gone to town with the rumour that the actress’ recently acquired multi million naira mansion, located in the highbrow Lekki area of Lagos was a gift from a state governor who’s allegedly dating her. With the latest allegation, the actress cried out, explaining to who ever cared to listen to her that she built the mansion with her hard earned money.

Of course, the negative reaction that greeted what was supposed to be ‘a landmark achievement ‘ for her'(building a mansion), stemmed from the fact that there have always been reservations about the affluence of some actresses, with some arguing that proceeds from their acting cannot match or justify their large than life images. But Aigbe insisted that her Lekki edifice was a product of her hard work. She backed her her claims, recounting in an Instagram post how she “hustled” in London, LA , New York, Turkey, Vietnam, in addition to spending the better part of her 15 years sojourn in the movie industry was spent shooting movies late at nights. Not done yet, the actress promised in a recent post that she would share her story some day.