The pursuit of the perfect physique for many Nigerian female celebrities and the surge in Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) highlight the evolving standards of beauty in Nigerian entertainment industry where curves and fuller figures are increasingly coveted.

Findings by R revealed that the allure of an enhanced appearance or very big buttocks remain a driving force for both celebrities and aspiring stars who seem to be convinced that a curvier body enhances their chances to stay relevant to compete in the industry.

With celebrities like Tonto Dikeh, Toke Makinwa, Mercy Eke, Iyabo Ojo becoming the torchbearers of the trend in the Nigerian entertainment space and publicly flaunting their ‘new assets’, it was gathered that the wave is not confined to the glitz and glamour of celebrity life but steadily influencing young women across Nigeria to follow in their footsteps.

While Dike said she had done three kinds of procedures to get her dream butt, Ojo revealed that she had to go under the knife because she wasn’t comfortable with her body, and wanted a perfect and banging body that makes her feel comfortable.

Makinwa admitted that she didn’t just have the butt lift surgery, she also underwent lip filler surgeries, a procedure believed to be rare the entertainment industry. When asked why she had the surgeries, the social media personality said: “Yes, I worked on my body but my breasts are natural. I had lip filler because I wanted to launch my lipstick brand. Also, I enhanced my body after I got my fibroids removed. I did that because I wanted to feel better in clothes and I don’t regret it because it is the best thing I have ever done and I wanted to look curvy”, she added.

The phenomenon soars among young ladies

A concerned social media influencer who didn’t want her name mentioned who spoke with R some days back lamented what she described as a disturbing rising trend of BBL among young Nigerian ladies. She noted that driving around the city alone would expose one to the spate at which the society is fast embracing the fad.

“When they see how female celebrities flaunt their enhanced bodies on social media platforms, they feel it is right thing to do and they want to go under knife immediately without considering the danger and risk associated with such procedure”, she noted.

According to her, one out of 10 ladies she met in Lagos and other parts of the country where she visited in recent times, were either gathering money to go under the knife for the procedure or had just completed the surgery to enhance their figure. She observed that while young boys are being attracted by the allure of money rituals, the young girls are embracing liposuction.

Further findings showed that the allure of BBL lies in the belief by some aspiring starlets that enhancing their buttocks or breasts is a shortcut to making it in Nollywood, Nigeria’s thriving industry. This belief has sparked a strong desire among new generation hopeful actresses who see body augmentation as a direct route to stardom.

Nevertheless, amid the attraction of instant fame, veteran actor Kanayo O Kanayo sounded a note of warning young actresses aspiring to become famous in the industry through body enhancement and sleeping their way up to desist from such practice, insisting that the creative industry is not for ‘runs girls’.

The actor turned lawyer maintained that Nollywood should not be a ground for butt enlargement or gay and lesbianism but a ground for creativity where one’s craft can be seen and celebrated across the globe.

“Nollywood is not a ground for butt enlargement or where dollars are missing and people generalise that it is the Nollywood girls who practices prostitution.”

But despite the warning, the trend seems to be on the rise with Nollywood actress Laide Oyedeji emerging one of the latest names on the list of celebrities who have undergone the procedure.

Not long ago, Oyedeji shared videos in a medical facility in Lagos where she underwent butt enlargement surgery. Despite experiencing excruciating pain from the procedure, the actress said she would not desist from showing her social media followers her ‘newly acquired asset’.

She, like others in her league, has continued to influence young ladies and aspiring actresses to undergo similar procedure despite the risk involved.

High cost of surgery doesn’t matter

The cost of a BBL procedure can be exorbitant depending on the location and who is performing the surgery. Findings showed that it can rise from as high as four million to six million naira. However, the staggering price tag doesn’t seem to deter its patrons.

Speaking with R about her recent procedure that has kept her at home for the past few weeks, a Lagos-based actress, who preferred her identity to be kept secret, said she went under knife for personal reasons.

“I didn’t do this because I want to attract attention or be in the spotlight, I just wanted to look the way I am happy about. The procedure cost me about five million because I did it twice, but it was a decision that I am super proud of. Many people haven’t seen me around and are wondering what has been happening to me. By the time I step out in my new body, they will start saying things they don’t understand, but I don’t care”, she added.

The social media influence

A social media expert and legal practitioner, Tunji Adebowale, submitted that the influence of social media has led to a focus on physical appearance and beauty standards. Celebrities with strong influence on social media platforms, he opined, are constantly under pressure to meet certain standards, which may include having well-defined posterior.

“For some of them, once they set a standard, no matter how high it seems, they can’t afford to come down. It could hurt their purses, but as long as they remain in the spotlight and keep getting the gigs, the body can continue to undergo different procedures.” (Sunday Tribune)

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