Yoruba actor and filmmaker Jide Awobona has sparked intense reactions on social media after portraying a woman in his upcoming movie, Rise With Me.
The controversy began after Awobona shared a photo from the movie showing him dressed in women’s clothing while carrying a baby. In his caption, the actor explained that the film is meant to honour the strength, resilience, and unbreakable spirit of women who overcome challenges, break barriers, and inspire future generations.
Despite his explanation, the image quickly went viral and triggered mixed reactions online. Many social media users questioned why a male actor was chosen to play a female role, arguing that there are capable women in the industry who could have handled the character. Others criticised the portrayal on religious and cultural grounds, describing it as unnecessary and inappropriate.
Some comments read:
“There aren’t women again in the industry?”
“Just get another actor to play the role. How hard is that?”
“Proper nonsense.”
“I will not be watching this. This kind of thing should not be normalised in Nigeria.”
However, a section of netizens defended Awobona, noting that cross-gender acting is a long-standing practice in global entertainment. They pointed out that several popular movies have successfully used similar concepts and argued that acting is about creativity and storytelling.
One supporter wrote:
“Cross-gender acting is actually a thing. We’ve seen it in movies like White Chicks, Madea, Mulan, and She’s the Man.”
Others reacted humorously, comparing Awobona’s look to that of popular actresses, while some acknowledged his acting talent but felt the role was unnecessary.
Reacting to the growing backlash, Awobona took to his Instagram story to express surprise at the reactions, asking what would happen when the movie eventually premieres.
As the debate continues, Rise With Me has already drawn massive attention ahead of its release, with opinions deeply divided over the actor’s creative decision and the message behind the film.
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