Veteran Nollywood actress Ayo Adesanya has spoken out about her harrowing experience in a toxic relationship that lasted for ten years.
In a recent interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Adesanya revealed that although she was never married to her partner, she remained in the abusive relationship due to fear of public scrutiny.
Enduring a Cycle of Abuse
The actress recounted suffering years of both physical and emotional abuse, which eventually led her into depression. In an attempt to cope, she turned to alcohol, drinking excessively to numb the pain.
“I met someone, but at the time, I was naive. I stayed in the relationship for so long because, as an actress, I didn’t want people to blame me for the breakup. However, we were never married; we were just together for ten years,” she said.
Adesanya described the painful cycle of abuse—where she would be beaten, only for her partner to beg for forgiveness moments later—leaving her emotionally drained and trapped.
“For ten years, the beatings and domestic abuse continued. I became depressed and turned to alcohol,” she admitted.
Seeking Refuge in Alcohol
Desperate for an escape, Adesanya found solace in drinking.
“I would sneak out to buy a bottle of brandy and find a corner to drink it because I wanted to be numb,” she shared.
She revealed that at her lowest point, she would visit pharmacies early in the morning just to buy alcohol and drink before facing another day in the abusive relationship.
A Turning Point and the Midnight Escape
Adesanya explained that she finally found the strength to leave after having a recurring dream three times.
“In the dream, I saw a car moving backward, and people on the road were telling me to leave it because it was my time for glory,” she said.
Convinced that the dream was a sign, she sought help from her sister to escape.
“One day, I confided in my sister about what I was going through and asked her to help me leave. That night, he went to the club, which was my saving grace. At midnight, my sister Lara came, I packed my personal belongings, took my son, and that was how I left,” she recounted.
Adesanya admitted that she had attempted to leave the relationship three times before but always ended up returning.
The actress was previously in a relationship with Nollywood actor Goriola Hassan, with whom she shares a son.
