Nollywood star Nkechi Blessing has transformed online criticism into a bold movement for body confidence by launching a social media contest that celebrates women with big stomachs.
The actress recently trended after a leaked gym photo of her surfaced online, drawing a wave of harsh body-shaming comments from trolls. Rather than bow to the negativity, she chose to flip the narrative and champion self-love and body positivity.
The ‘Big Belle’ Challenge
Taking to Instagram, Nkechi announced the Big Belle Challenge, with a prize of ₦1 million for the contestant with the biggest belly.
Participants are required to share pictures of their stomachs, tag her, and include the hashtag #bigbellechallenge. The top three entries will be reposted before the final winner is chosen.
In her words: “₦1 million naira to the winner 💃🏻 Big Belle Challenge is here ✌🏼 courtesy my brother @proactive105mann … The person with the biggest belly takes it all ✌🏼.”
She has already started sharing submissions, captioning one entry: “First Entry✌🏼 #bigbellechallenge 1 million naira to the biggest belly📌 @proactive105mann fit vex make am 2 million 🤣🤣 Post your video and tag me👏🏻.”
Sharing a second, she added: “I too love my people 🤣🤣🤣 Second Entry👏🏻 #bigbellechallenge.”
Public Reactions
The challenge has sparked mixed reactions online:
- @mjs_kitchenandevents wrote: “I’m loving this challenge, na belle we get, we no kee pesin abeg😍😍.”
- @juliet_john88 said: “For you to post throughout the night, that shows you’re passing through a lot since your photo came out 😂.”
- @laposh03 commented: “Chai😢 I don see my colleague😍 we are belly twinning😂 but na who get courage and confidence go win am🙌.”
- @ilori_olaolu added: “Dear @nkechiblessingsunday, you are a very beautiful and intelligent woman. Please don’t let anyone drag you down. The dragging will fade with time. Stay blessed ❤️.”