How abuse by my ex-hubby destroyed my career – Olajumoke

Olajumoke Orisaguna, once celebrated as “Olajumoke Onibread,” has opened up about her painful experience with domestic violence in a candid interview on City FM.  

The Nigerian model captured global attention in 2016 when she accidentally walked into a photoshoot with British rapper Tinie Tempah, directed by the acclaimed photographer TY Bello.

This chance encounter propelled her into the spotlight, transforming her life as she graced magazine covers and earned endorsements.

However, her rapid ascent was followed by an equally sudden retreat from the public eye, leaving many wondering about her whereabouts.

Speaking on her life post-fame, Olajumoke recounted a tumultuous relationship with her ex-husband, Sunday Orisaguna, describing years of emotional and physical abuse that she endured in silence.

Her story serves as a stark reminder of the hidden struggles that can accompany sudden fame. While reflecting on her journey, Olajumoke emphasized her resilience and the importance of speaking out against domestic violence.

Her revelations have sparked widespread support and calls for more awareness about the plight of women facing similar challenges.

She revealed that their marital challenges began during their time in Ire, Osun State, where she faced what she described as a “hostile” living environment.

Olajumoke cited her mother-in-law’s mistreatment and Sunday’s alleged physical abuse as major contributors to her ordeal.

After relocating to Lagos, Olajumoke took up bread hawking to make ends meet. It was during this period that she had the fortunate encounter with TY Bello, which catapulted her into the spotlight.

However, Sunday eventually joined her in Lagos, and according to Olajumoke, the abuse persisted even as her career blossomed.

She admitted that societal pressures and the stigma of separation, especially as a mother of two, kept her silent about her struggles for a long time.

She alleged that her career took a hit following their separation, as Sunday reportedly worked to tarnish her reputation and that of her supporters.

“What I am saying now, I have never said it out before. Even when I met TY Bello and I told her that I had a husband, my friend was furious when she found out. She was like I do not have sense, why would I say someone who beats me is my husband? I had to explain that I had to say that because I have children. That was how he came to Lagos. Even in the house that was rented for me in Surulere, he would still beat me up.

“I did not even tell TY Bello what was going on. I could not even admit that we were not married. I am a very gentle person so I did not tell anyone what was going on, I was enduring all of it. Sometimes when he goes out to drink, because he is someone to have a good time, when he gets back and a minor misunderstanding happens, he would start beating me again. It is almost four years since we separated.

“While he was beating me, he did not have a job. I was the one who would go out to hustle for us because I did not want my children to suffer. He would just stay at home and sleep or go out to drink. I did not even disturb him from doing these things, I just wanted him to stop beating me. Then he also started monitoring me when I went to work. If I go for photoshoots, sometimes I come back very late. He would accuse me of sleeping around with other men.

“So I decided to finally leave him. It got so bad that he would even start insulting my parents. It was when I separated from him, that was when everything started going down the drain because he started spoiling my name. All those who had helped me then, he started saying bad things against them. Since then, things started going down.”