Popular Nollywood actress and producer, Azeezat Shorunmu, has opened up about a traumatic incident that left her vocal cords permanently damaged, altering her voice and career.
During a recent interview on Oyinmomo TV, Azeezat shared how the life-changing event occurred while filming the movie Apase. She explained that her voice was irreparably affected after she was forced to scream in distress upon learning of a colleague’s tragedy.
The emotional outburst came after she received news that fellow actress, Mummy Surutu, had lost her child on the very day filming was scheduled to begin.
“Everyone knows that this is not my real voice,” Azeezat began. “It happened while shooting Apase. Mummy Surutu lost her child that very morning we were to commence shooting. And she had already been paid. I was confused and didn’t know what to do. It was while I was shouting that I lost my voice.”
She revealed that she initially thought the loss of her voice was temporary, but as weeks turned into months, it became clear that the damage was lasting.
“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,” she said.
The actress tried both medical and spiritual remedies in hopes of recovery. “I used various things, including anointing oil. By the time the vocal cord healed, it didn’t come out as my voice again. It became this tiny and cracked voice,” she added.
Though her raspy voice has since become her trademark, Azeezat described the experience as painful and isolating, especially during moments when she struggled to express herself.
“That was when I realised that it is a painful thing to be dumb. It hurts when you want to express yourself but you cannot.”
Despite the ordeal, Azeezat Shorunmu has continued to pursue her acting and production career, embracing her new voice as part of her artistic identity.
