Actress Jumoke Odetola has defended celebrity chef Hilda Baci after her record-breaking Jollof Rice festival drew criticism from some who claimed the food “wasn’t sweet.”
In an Instagram post, Odetola described the backlash as “heartbreaking when negativity overshadows greatness,” noting that achieving such a feat required significant courage, preparation, and resilience on multiple levels — mental, emotional, psychological, and financial.
She questioned why some people are unsettled by others’ success, particularly that of women, urging critics to reflect on their reactions rather than attempt to diminish another person’s achievements.
“It takes real courage to attempt something extraordinary,” Odetola wrote. “Bringing that dream into reality takes even more than courage — it demands preparedness mentally, psychologically, emotionally, and financially.”
Expressing her frustration with the criticisms circulating online, the actress encouraged people to look inward. “Place your right hand on your chest where your heart beats and ask yourself: why am I triggered by the success of a woman trying to make a mark in her field? Sit with that question. Your answer might just be the doorway to your healing.”
She concluded her message with a prayer, asking for peace, happiness, and healing for those whose past pains may have “transcended into bitterness, toxicity, and hatred.”
