Beyond the Facade: The Mental Health Reality of Celebrity Men

As the world observes Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month in June, with a focus on ‘Closing the Empathy Gap in Men’s Health’, Sunday Ehigiator sheds light on the vital role Nigerians can play in promoting mental health awareness and empathy among male celebrities, breaking down the barriers that prevent them from openly discussing their struggles.

In our fast-paced, image-driven world, particularly within the entertainment industry, the concept of ‘strength’ has been narrowly defined by societal expectations.

For men, this has meant embracing a rigid façade of silence, stoicism, and resilience, a mask that conceals vulnerability, emotion, and weakness. The pressure to maintain this image is overwhelming, with men feeling compelled to smile through the storms, hide their struggles, and present an unshakeable exterior to the world.

This toxic definition of strength has far-reaching consequences, perpetuating a culture of emotional repression, mental health stigma, and isolation.

Men are socialised to believe that showing emotion, admitting vulnerability, or seeking help is a sign of weakness, rather than a sign of courage. This can lead to devastating outcomes, including untreated mental health issues, strained relationships, and a lack of genuine connection with others.

However, as we gain glimpses into the lives of celebrities and the behind-the-scenes narratives of the political and entertainment industry players, we’re beginning to see the urgent need to redefine what strength truly means.

We’re witnessing a growing number of men in the public eye speaking out about their mental health struggles, sharing their vulnerabilities, and showcasing a more authentic, imperfect version of themselves.

This shift is helping to dismantle the outdated notion that strength requires silence and stoicism, and instead, highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and open communication. However, a culture of non-acceptance still exists, where men are expected to speak out, yet often face criticism for doing so.

Beneath the Glamour

Speaking on men’s mental health, celebrity media personality, Chinedu Ani, popularly known as ‘Nedu Wazobia’, noted that, “In this line of work, you learn quickly that your voice is your currency.

“What you say, how you say it and sometimes, even what you don’t say, can shape how people see you. But the truth is, the media is more complex than most people think.

“What’s shared may serve a specific purpose: satire, social commentary, or just plain provocation. Yet, these moments often get taken at face value, stripped of context and held up as fact.

“Over the years, I’ve been many things to many people: a comedian, a broadcaster, a podcaster, and at times, a headline. There have been moments when things I’ve said or done have been misinterpreted, taken out of context, or amplified in ways I didn’t intend. It comes with the territory. But with that visibility also comes responsibility. I’ve learned that deeply.

“There’s also a deeper layer, one that doesn’t often make the blogs. The toll that public life can take on your mental and emotional state. As men, and especially as men in entertainment, there’s pressure to be sharp, be loud and be unaffected. You’re rewarded for your resilience but rarely given space to reflect or reset.

“I won’t pretend I’ve always gotten everything right. But I will say this: growth is a process. Healing is a process. And if I’m being honest, this season has required both. I’ve had to listen more. Reflect more. Ask harder questions of myself. I’ve had to separate what’s real from what’s assumed, and that includes navigating public perception that doesn’t always reflect who I am or what I stand for.

“There have been claims and conversations, some louder than others. But there’s peace in knowing the truth and in knowing that when due process is followed, it speaks for itself. Sometimes, that’s all you can hold on to: your truth and the systems that still work.

“One narrative I’ve had to unlearn and I hope others will too is that strength means silence. It doesn’t. True strength is in asking for help, in seeking clarity, in evolving. It’s in knowing when to speak up and when to walk away. It’s in understanding that being a man doesn’t mean being invulnerable.

“If I’m writing this today, it’s not just as a public figure. It’s from the place of someone who has felt the weight of public misunderstanding and chosen to stay open anyway, someone who has had to sit with uncomfortable truths and still return to the mic with purpose.

“Mental health shouldn’t be a PR moment or a soft trend. For men, especially those in spaces like mine, it needs to be a core part of the conversation. We are not machines. We are people. And we deserve the grace to grow.

“So this month, I’m joining the call not to declare myself perfect, but to remind other men that healing is possible. That being misunderstood doesn’t have to define you. That even in the spotlight, there’s room to pause, to reflect, and to find your way back to yourself.

“Because at the end of the day, strength isn’t in pretending nothing ever touched you. It’s in learning how to stand, still human, after it did.”

President Emmanuel Macron and Adeoluwa Enioluwa

Using the case of France President, Emmanuel Macron, and Celebrity Influencer, Adeoluwa Eniola, to address the public’s negative reactions on issues around men’s mental health, Executive Director, Life After Abuse Foundation, Halima Layeni, noted that society has normalised emotional suppression of men and violence against men.

According to her, “The recent online backlash against Nigerian influencer Enioluwa Adeoluwa for crying at his best friend’s wedding and the widespread mockery of French President Emmanuel Macron being pushed by his wife, Brigitte Macron, highlight a deeper issue: society’s normalisation of emotional suppression and violence against men.

“Enioluwa’s tears were met with venomous comments from Nigerian men, revealing a culture that punishes vulnerability and emotional expression in men. This toxic masculinity is rooted in the idea that men must be stoic, dominant, and emotionally detached. Boys are taught to suppress their feelings, deny their pain, and never show vulnerability.

“Similarly, the incident involving President Macron sparked widespread mockery and jokes, rather than outrage and concern. This reaction highlights society’s normalisation of violence against men. When men experience domestic violence, they are often met with silence, ridicule, and shame.

“This stigma can be deadly, as men are less likely to report abuse and seek help due to fear of not being believed or being seen as weak. The crisis of domestic violence against men requires urgent attention. We need more initiatives, safe houses, and trained professionals to support male survivors.

“Mainstream media must treat violence against men as a serious issue, rather than a laughing matter. Governments must also play a role by providing inclusive funding for prevention, shelters, legal aid, and trauma support. Protection and support should never be selective or conditional.

“Healthy masculinity requires compassion, empathy, and self-awareness. We must raise men who are free to feel, cry, and be vulnerable. This means rewiring the way we raise boys, promoting emotional expression and vulnerability, and encouraging whole, healthy masculinity.

“It’s time to stop treating abuse as a gendered issue and start treating it as a human one. Every victim matters, regardless of gender. We must create a society where men’s suffering is taken seriously, rather than being the punchline.”

Rethinking Strength

While Macron and Eniola’s case is not in isolation, the CEO of Lemon-Lime Nigeria Limited, Abiola Yahaya, noted that it’s high time Nigerians begin to rethink what strength for men truly is.

According to her, “As a communications strategist and CEO of LemonLime Nigeria Limited, a fresh voice in Nigeria’s PR space, I work closely with brands, public figures, and creatives to shape stories that connect.

“What I’ve learned is that the public is no longer interested in perfection; they want authenticity. And authenticity requires vulnerability, especially from men who have traditionally been told to ‘man up’ or suppress emotion for the sake of their careers.

“The mental health crisis among men in the entertainment industry is real. Beneath the glamour are pressures to constantly perform, remain relevant, and please fans, critics, and sponsors alike. These silent battles often go unnoticed until they erupt into public breakdowns, substance abuse, or even worse, tragic loss.

“Strength, today, must include the courage to ask for help. It must allow room for therapy, tears, and a timeout. We must create safe spaces for entertainers, particularly men, to say, “I’m not okay,” without fear of ridicule or career consequences.

“At LemonLime Nigeria Limited, we are deeply invested in reshaping narratives. Beyond curating compelling campaigns, we believe that the most powerful story is the one that tells the truth. Our work with modern brands involves not just amplifying wins but also normalising struggle, mental rest, and emotional honesty.

“Rethinking strength means recognising that men, especially those in the spotlight, are human first. Their mental health is not a PR risk; it is a public responsibility. The more we share real stories, the more we shatter the stigma and raise a generation that sees strength not as suppression, but as self-awareness.

“It’s time we move from a culture of ‘be strong’ to one of ‘be supported’. That is the real strength we need in entertainment and beyond.”