Monalisa Stephen, Bold Advocate for Body Positivity and Actress in Nigeria, Dies at 33

Monalisa Ayobami Stephen, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s entertainment and fashion industries, known for her outspoken advocacy of body positivity and mental health, died on Tuesday, May 13, in Lagos. She was 33.

Her death was confirmed by Seun Oloketuyi, the chief executive of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, in a social media post on Wednesday. According to Mr. Oloketuyi, the cause was complications related to low blood sugar and internal bleeding, as conveyed by Ms. Stephen’s younger sister.

Ms. Stephen rose to prominence as a plus-size model, Nollywood actress, and entrepreneur who challenged conventional beauty standards in Nigeria. With over 280,000 followers on Instagram, she used her platform to promote messages of self-love, resilience, and authenticity, often pushing back against body-shaming and societal pressures.

Born on March 13, 1992, in Abia State, Nigeria, Ms. Stephen graduated with a Higher National Diploma in Business Administration from the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti. Her early career included fashion design, and she later founded a self-named clothing brand focused on inclusivity and diverse body representation.

She gained further attention for her roles in Nollywood productions such as Breaded Life (2021) and Mami Wata (2023), earning praise for her on-screen presence and relatability. In 2022, she was endorsed by Naija Face Model, a brand promoting representation in fashion—a deal that included a luxury car and a parcel of land.

Her last Instagram post, dated April 29, 2025, featured her dancing to Davido’s “10 Kilo,” accompanied by a caption saluting confident women. “10 KILO is for All of Us,” she wrote. The video, now widely circulated, has taken on a commemorative tone in the wake of her passing.

Ms. Stephen’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief across social media, particularly within Nollywood. Fellow actors, including Toyin Abraham and Mo Bimpe, responded with visible shock. Fans described her as “full of life” and “a fearless voice” in the face of online harassment and discrimination.

In recent years, Ms. Stephen was candid about her struggles with depression, often linked to body shaming and public scrutiny. In a 2019 interview with The Sun, she detailed how embracing her body helped her overcome years of self-doubt. “I am fat — cellulite and folds kind of fat,” she wrote in a viral 2018 Instagram post. “That’s me. I’m not thin, I’m not slim. I am fat — and that’s okay.”

Speculation around her death has included unconfirmed claims related to diet practices or the use of herbal slimming products. However, no official medical reports have validated such assertions. Health experts have since urged caution against unregulated weight-loss methods.

Ms. Stephen’s personal life was often discussed in the media. In a 2022 interview, she spoke openly about her preference for older partners, saying she was uninterested in marriage and more focused on personal fulfillment. “Marriage is overrated,” she said at the time, adding that she was committed to living life on her own terms.

Though she often found herself at the center of controversy, Ms. Stephen remained unapologetic. Her defiance in the face of societal norms made her a role model for many young Nigerians, particularly women navigating issues of self-image and representation.

She is survived by her family, including her younger sister, who confirmed her passing.