Nollywood actress Azeezat Shorunmu has shared the devastating story of how she permanently lost her voice during a movie shoot.
The incident occurred while filming an intense emotional scene that required prolonged screaming in 2023.
“I pushed my vocal cords beyond limits for authenticity,” Shorunmu revealed in an interview.
Doctors later diagnosed vocal cord paralysis caused by traumatic overuse, ending her 12-year acting career.
What went wrong:
- 18-hour shooting schedule with multiple scream takes
- No vocal coach or medical standby on set
- Delayed treatment due to production pressure
Veteran actor Jide Kosoko reacted: “We’ve normalized suffering for art. This must change.” The Actors Guild now plans mandatory onset medics for high-intensity scenes.
Shorunmu’s case mirrors global industry dangers. Hollywood’s SAG-AFTRA recently reported 34% of actors sustain career-altering injuries – mostly preventable.
Though transitioning to sign language acting, Shorunmu campaigns for better working conditions: “No role is worth permanent damage.” Her foundation now provides vocal health workshops for upcoming actors.
Shorunmu’s silenced voice serves as a wake-up call about the human costs behind our screen entertainment.
