You don’t have to show your body to be sexy — Shaffy Bello

By Ayo Onikoyi

Veteran Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has said she understands why some young women engage in transactional relationships popularly known as “runs,” but urged them not to remain in the lifestyle, stressing the need for growth and self-worth beyond survival choices.

Bello made the remarks during an interview on The Morayo Show hosted by Morayo Afolabi-Brown, a conversation that has since gone viral on social media.

The full interview was published on the show’s official YouTube channel on May 21 and later gained wider attention after clips circulated across X and other platforms.

Speaking on self-worth and the pressures many young women face, Bello said women do not need to expose their bodies or chase online attention to be seen as attractive or successful.

She said, “There are too many children out there, too many babies my age younger that needs my voice that needs to hear that the seeds that you sow matter.

“That needs to hear, ‘No, you don’t have to show your boobs to be sexy.’

“That needs to hear, ‘No, you don’t have to shake your bum bum to go viral or get attention.’”

The actress also addressed women who turn to transactional relationships to survive, saying she understood the realities behind such decisions and was not speaking from a place of judgement.

“And if what you’re doing now is being a runs girl to make money, you don’t have to stay there. I understand it. I’m not knocking you. I never judge,” she said.

Bello added that some women were pushed into such choices by financial responsibilities, including supporting family members and paying school fees.

“If that’s what you have to do right now… some girls are doing it because they need to feed mum, they need to send their aburo to school. I understand it.

“However, my darlings, don’t stay there. You are more than that,” she added.

Reflecting on her career, Bello said she remains focused on acting because she believes it is her calling.

“I’m an actor. Every actor doesn’t have to be a producer. I face my lane. I do what God asked me to do,” she said.

She also noted that while some industry players diversify into production for financial reasons, she prioritises purpose over profit.

“If I sit and go do films, I’m looking for more money. No, money is not everything,” Bello said.

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