Popular Nollywood actress and producer, Azeezat Shorunmu, has revealed the heartbreaking story behind her distinctive raspy voice, explaining that she suffered permanent vocal cord damage while on a movie set.
During a recent appearance on Oyinmomo TV, Shorunmu shared that the life-changing incident occurred during the production of the movie 'Apase' when she received devastating news about a colleague.
"Everyone knows that this is not my real voice," she explained. "It happened while shooting the movie 'Apase'. Mummy Surutu lost her child that very morning we were to commence shooting."
The actress recounted how the emotional strain of the situation led to her voice loss. "And she has been paid already. I was confused and didn't know what to do upon hearing the news. It was when I was shouting that I lost my voice," she revealed.
What initially seemed like a temporary condition became a permanent change to her vocal abilities. "My voice was blocked throughout the production. Normally, a blocked throat lasts for a short period. But mine did not open, it became worse after four months," Shorunmu said.
The actress described the emotional toll of losing her ability to speak. "That was when I realised that it was a painful thing to be dumb. It hurts when you want to express yourself, but you cannot."
Despite seeking both medical and spiritual interventions, including the use of anointing oil, her original voice never returned. Instead, she developed the distinctive tone that has now become her trademark in the industry.
"By the time the vocal cord was through, it didn't come out as my voice again. It became this tiny and cracked voice," she explained.
The actress's revelation highlights the often unseen physical and emotional challenges faced by performers in Nigeria's film industry, where production pressures and personal tragedies can intersect with devastating consequences.
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