Nigerian content creator Adebayo Ridwan, popularly known as Isbae U, has opened up about the difficult period he experienced during the controversy surrounding him in 2022, saying the backlash at the time made him fear that his entertainment career was over.
Isbae U reflected on the episode during an interview with Morayo Afolabi-Brown, recalling how public opinion appeared to change after he became embroiled in allegations involving sex-for-roles claims and leaked explicit videos.
According to the content creator, the situation was particularly difficult because people who had previously praised his work began making negative comments about him.
“2022 was a tough time for me. It was the first time I was going through something like that, and then I asked Mr Macaroni, ‘Is this the end?’”
Isbae U said he turned to fellow content creator Mr Macaroni during the period because he was uncertain about the future of his career.
He explained that the experience showed him how quickly public perception can change when a public figure becomes involved in controversy.
“People who always commented positively started commenting negatively without caring about whatever you are going through. That is why it is called the public; they all have an opinion,” he said.
Despite the backlash, Isbae U said he decided not to allow the controversy to completely derail his career.
He said he concentrated on improving his craft, becoming a better person and continuing to provide entertainment for his audience.
“So, all I did was just focus on doing better, getting better at my craft and becoming a better person. I focused on giving them entertainment.”
The content creator also said he subsequently reduced the amount of information he shared about his personal life online.
“I stepped back from posting anything about my life and I kept giving them entertainment. How they feel is their concern, and I focused on doing better.”
The controversy referenced by Isbae U dates back to 2022, when the gossip platform GistLover published allegations involving the content creator and a woman who reportedly claimed that he had promised to pay her following explicit video calls.
Reports at the time said explicit material connected to the controversy was circulated online, while the wider episode became associated with sex-for-roles allegations. Isbae U later issued a public apology over the controversy.
The allegations and claims surrounding the episode should not be treated as established facts simply because they were widely discussed online.
Four years later, Isbae U's latest comments focus less on the details of the controversy and more on how the experience affected his relationship with fame, public opinion and his career.
He also spoke about his interview programme, Curiosity Made Me Ask, saying the idea is to reveal a different side of celebrities that audiences may not normally see.
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