Nnegest Olufunmilayo Likké, the visionary behind the 2006 hit movie ‘Phat Girlz‘, has emphasised the importance of self-love.
Nnegest spoke on the 19th anniversary of ‘Phat Girlz,’ a film she wrote and directed.
The filmmaker highlighted the importance of maintaining high standards in relationships. She also encouraged women to prioritize self-love and self-care. She suggests that settling for someone who treats you poorly is a form of self-betrayal.
“Well, there are a lot of important messages in the movie but perhaps the most poignant of all is for women to love themselves. You gotta love yourself before you can love a man,” she said.
“A man may cheat on you, but you also cheat on yourself when you lower your standards just to be with someone who treats you poorly or offers you less than you deserve in the relationship.
“So make self-love your life’s top priority. As a reminder, I often sing the words of ‘African Queen’ to myself and I am an African Queen, the girl of my dreams. Out of a million, I stand as one, the outstanding one.
“No one can ever take my place, can never take my space, that’s a fact I won’t erase. ‘I am an African Queen, the girl of my dreams and I remind me of a thing, and that is the African beauty’. So black so beautiful, I love me.”
‘Phat Girlz’ follows the story of Jazmin Biltmore, a plus-size woman who struggles with body image and acceptance.
On a trip to a resort, she meets a Nigerian doctor who loves her for who she is, helping her gain confidence and embrace her beauty.
Released globally on April 7, 2006, the romantic comedy featured an all-star Black cast, with Academy award-winning actress Mo’Nique in the lead role.
Jimmy Jean-Louis, a heartthrob known across Africa for his roles in popular Nollywood films, starred opposite her as Dr. Tunde, a gorgeous Nigerian doctor.
The ensemble cast included Nigerian-American comedian Godfrey Danchimah and award-winning actor Dayo Ade. Both portrayed handsome, well-to-do Nigerian doctors.
The movie recorded groundbreaking achievements, one of which was being the first mainstream Hollywood movie written and directed by an African woman.
It was also the first movie to introduce Afrobeats as a central component of a Hollywood film soundtrack with ‘African Queen’ by 2Baba being its theme song and also used tracks by Danfo Drivers.
‘Phat Girlz’ was also the first Hollywood film to have a major premiere in Nigeria. One was held in Lagos and another in Abuja.
Nnegest has continued to shape important cultural narratives through cinema, most recently writing ‘A Sunday Affair,’ the Netflix Original, that debuted at #1 on the platform and became the most-watched Nigerian film in the first half of 2023.
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