Veteran Yoruba actress Lanre Hassan, popularly known as Iya Awero, has opened up about the deep personal pain she endured during her early years in Nollywood. She also discussed other issues like being in an abusive marriage and the societal expectations she defied to pursue her passion for acting.
In a recent sit-down with Behind the Fame African List, the 74-year-old screen legend got emotional as she recounted how her husband, who initially supported her acting dreams, later turned violent once they got married. She revealed:
“Our love story is a little powerful. When we were dating, he was happy I was acting. He even came to watch my rehearsals. But after marriage, he changed. He didn’t want me to act anymore. Sometimes I would come home from set and he would beat me, saying didn’t he warn me not to act.”
Despite the abuse, Iya Awero said the marriage didn’t last long as her husband passed away young. Yet, she made a firm decision never to remarry, citing fear of the unknown. She asked candidly:
“If you say you want to remarry, do you know what you’ll meet where you’re going?”
This isn’t the first time the beloved actress has spoken about the challenges she faced as a woman in the industry. In a 2013 interview with Brandiconimage, she revealed more about the rift her career caused in her marriage:
“He thought I would quit acting after marriage, but I didn’t because I wasn’t stealing. I stood my ground. I told him, ‘If you can’t support me, then leave me alone.’”
Efforts by theatre elders such as the late Adediran Ajijedidun and Baba Mero to reconcile the couple proved futile, and the tension lasted until his death.
Born and raised in Lagos, Iya Awero began acting in her teens and rose to prominence as a key member of the Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group, which later became the famous Awada Kerikeri Organisation under the leadership of Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello).
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