Former Big Brother Naija star Ifeyinwa Adewunmi Okafor, popularly known as Ivatar, has spoken candidly about the misconceptions surrounding her career as a video vixen, challenging stereotypes that often equate her profession with immorality.
In an interview with Pulse Nigeria on Thursday, September 11, 2025, Ivatar shed light on the judgment and stigma that women in her line of work frequently endure. According to her, many people wrongly assume that video vixens exchange sexual favors or lack moral integrity simply because of the roles they play in music videos.
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“Not all of us are ashawo. They always feel like we lose our dignity and integrity to the artist or because of what we do,” she said, stressing that the industry often unfairly links professionalism with promiscuity.
She went further to reject the popular perception that female vixens are romantically or sexually involved with the musicians they work with. “They feel“Being a video vixen is about confidence, movement, and giving life to a song.
It’s not about who you’re dating or what people think you do behind the scenes. It’s a job, and I take it seriously,” she asserted. like they don’t have respect for us. That’s the popular misconception. They feel like we sleep around with the artist but that does not happen,” Ivatar explained.
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Her comments highlight an ongoing cultural struggle within Nigeria’s entertainment sector, where creative expression is frequently judged through conservative lenses.
Video vixens, dancers, and models whose roles contribute significantly to the visual storytelling of music videos often find themselves vilified or dismissed by sections of the public who reduce their contributions to mere sexualization.
Ivatar, who gained fame after her appearance on Big Brother Naija, said she is determined to change the narrative. She stressed that her work should be recognized as part of the broader performance arts and seen as an avenue for self-expression, creativity, and career development.
“Being a video vixen is about confidence, movement, and giving life to a song. It’s not about who you’re dating or what people think you do behind the scenes. It’s a job, and I take it seriously,” she asserted.
Her remarks have sparked conversations online, with many fans commending her for speaking out. Some noted that Ivatar’s honesty reflects the broader challenge women face in breaking stereotypes in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Others argued that society needs to evolve and separate art from personal morality.
Industry analysts say her comments also underscore the urgent need to challenge gender bias in the creative space. While male performers and producers often face little scrutiny for their artistic choices, female performers particularly dancers and models are more frequently judged and stigmatized.
By speaking up, Ivatar hopes to inspire younger women who may want to pursue careers in entertainment but feel discouraged by negative stereotypes.
She believes that respect for women in creative professions can only grow if more people begin to understand the difference between performance and personal life.
Watch interview footage starting from 3:26 to 4:02 timestamp