Pretty Nigerian plus-size model, actress, body positivity enthusiast, content creator, and activist, Monalisa Stephen, has opened up about her experience in an abusive relationship.
In an interview she had with Saturday Beats, Monalisa said: “I did not initially recognise the abuse until I was physically assaulted.
“I didn’t really know it was a thing. I used to hear other women talk about it, but I didn’t think it would happen to me. I used to believe, ‘I’m a huge woman with a big body, why would anyone want to beat me?’ But it has nothing to do with your body. You can be abused whether you’re fat or not. When I got the first slap, I was shocked. What led to the slap wasn’t even worth it. I was dazed. The experience was unexpected, and I felt really bad because this was someone I trusted. Even though he was below my league, I lowered my standards to date him.
“This person kept beating me and humiliating me. I asked him, ‘Why do you keep doing this to me?’ and he said his friend told him that people like me need to be ‘bent’ so he could dominate me. That made me see some men in a different light.
“Though many people think that public figures don’t have problems, reverse is the case.
“Some people, including those who come to date us, see popular individuals as targets.”