Who Really 'Owns' Imisi's Success? The recent victory of Imisi, the Big Brother Naija Season 10 winner, has sparked a fascinating debate about mentorship and ownership in the entertainment industry. But here's where it gets controversial: as fans celebrate her N120 million win, a wave of public figures, including Nollywood actor Yomi Fabiyi, have stepped forward to claim a piece of her success. And this is the part most people miss: the fine line between genuine mentorship and opportunistic claims.
Yomi Fabiyi, a renowned actor and filmmaker, took to Instagram to express his pride in Imisi, revealing that she trained under him at his Rocklaf Studio Film Academy. He shared a heartfelt throwback video from his birthday and housewarming ceremony, where Imisi was present, celebrating with him. Fabiyi described her as a 'joyful spirit' whose genuine happiness for others inspired him to reciprocate her support now that she’s in the spotlight. He emphasized that her success is a testament to the values of consistency and humility in the entertainment industry.
In his post, Fabiyi wrote, 'She is always happy for others. She was happy for me during my birthday and housewarming, that informs why I have to reciprocate, aside from her being one of mine in Rocklaf Studio Film Academy.' He also extended his gratitude to fans, colleagues, and voters, declaring, 'The WINNER, THE CHAMPION is my girl @imisiofficial #ijoba606 Thank you all colleagues, friends, fans, and well-wishers. I am overwhelmed. The sound of joy and congratulations will not cease in your household too. To my IMISI, it is your time to shine. Rocklaf! We Rise Together! Congrats, dear.'
However, Fabiyi’s claims haven’t gone unchallenged. Fans have taken to social media to question the sudden surge of individuals claiming Imisi as their student. Comments like, 'Two people don dey claim Imisi now. Who be the real Oga wey teach Imisi acting?' and 'Everyone claiming Imisi their student. Oluwa saanu wa o,' highlight the skepticism surrounding these assertions. Some fans, like @wahabademola1, staunchly defend Fabiyi’s connection, stating, 'We addicted to Nollywood knows Imisi belongs to Rocklaf films studios so automatically he is Yomi Fabiyi’s student, any other actors claiming her na bloggers post am to push false.'
But here's the controversial question: Is it fair for mentors to publicly claim their students' success, especially after they’ve achieved fame? Or does this undermine the individual’s hard work and personal journey? One fan, @simeon0820, boldly challenged Fabiyi, suggesting that Imisi had moved on from his academy and that his claims were opportunistic. This raises a broader issue: how do we define ownership in success, and where do we draw the line between mentorship and exploitation?
Adding another layer to Fabiyi’s public persona, an earlier report by Legit.ng revealed that he shared implicating chats with Adura, Mohbad's brother, following the singer's death. These chats, which demanded N3 million for videos related to Mohbad’s personal life, sparked debates about ethics and responsibility in the industry.
As Imisi’s star continues to rise, the conversation around her mentorship and the claims surrounding it will undoubtedly persist. What do you think? Is it right for mentors to publicly claim their students' success, or should the focus remain solely on the individual’s achievements? Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s keep this conversation going!
