Nigerian actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has advised people to avoid marrying into families that do not accept them.
Speaking on The Morayo Show, the veteran film star said that although it is reasonable to make sincere efforts to win the approval of disapproving in-laws, such attempts can be ineffective when opposition is driven by deep-rooted bias.
She cautioned that prejudice based on ethnicity, background or origin often persists despite genuine efforts, adding that while some families may eventually soften their stance, such changes are often uncertain and unstable.
“As Omotola, I would advise that if your partner’s family does not like you, try everything you can to make them understand you. However, there are some parents who are already hellbent on not liking you and there is nothing you can do about it,” she said.
“They may already have prejudices or have decided they dislike you because you are from a particular place in Nigeria or elsewhere in the world.
“Some may eventually change their minds, but even that can be dicey, as they might revert to their earlier stance. My honest advice is that it is not worth it.”
Marriage, she argued, is arduous enough without beginning it under a cloud of rejection.
“Marriage is already a lifelong journey filled with challenges, so why begin it with people who already hold negative opinions about you?” she asked.
“You need support at every stage. So, if these people are not going to support you from the beginning, you’re gonna have a very rough journey. If that is the life you want, then good luck. But if not, run.”
The actress tied the knot with Matthew Ekeinde, a pilot, in 1996, and the couple has four children together.