Nollywood superstar, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, has finally responded to the recent public stir caused by her dramatic weight loss, which has been the subject of intense discussion across social media platforms.
The actress explained that she had a cancer scare and underwent a thyroid removal surgery.
“I had a cancer scare, and I had my thyroid removed. It was like a journey for us because we have kids, and my lastborn was six months old at that time. We [my husband and I] kept saying, we had to understand this is the new us, let’s go get the surgery done. When we got there, they said that I was going to be on medication for the rest of my life.
“We had to sit down, they were saying I can’t miss my medication, telling me the side effects. So, I’m reconciling with what you are saying [my weight loss]. I’m at the point where you realised that this is where we are, let’s grow from here and live in this comfort zone.”
Mercy Johnson
The beloved actress addressed the backlash, emphasising her acceptance of public scrutiny and her decision to remain unbothered by negative commentary.
Mercy Johnson appeared calm and upbeat, choosing a lighthearted tone to tackle the buzz surrounding her new appearance. “I understand people will talk when they see something strange, and they will also talk even when they don’t see anything strange,” she said with a smile.
The actress, known for her versatility and emotional depth on screen, made it clear that she is not shaken by the noise around her transformation. “Let people talk whatever they want to talk,” she added.
Social media has been awash with mixed reactions since Mercy Johnson’s new physique surfaced online.

While some fans praised her dedication and admired her slimmer figure, others speculated about her health, with a few even questioning whether she had undergone surgery or was ill.
The speculation was further fueled by her silence—until now. In a video, Mercy Johnson refrained from directly addressing the health rumors or the specific cause of her weight loss.
Instead, she chose to focus on the broader issue of public perception and the often impossible standards celebrities are held to. “Whether you do something or not, people will always find something to say,” she noted.
She also used the opportunity to remind her fans and followers about the importance of self-confidence and inner peace.
Despite the online scrutiny, the mother of four continues to engage with her audience through her social media platforms.
Her honesty resonated with fans, many of whom have praised her bravery and vulnerability in sharing such a personal experience.
Her recent posts have included behind-the-scenes footage of new projects, family moments, and her usual humorous skits, demonstrating that she remains committed to her career and personal brand.
Portable Reacts to Mercy Johnson’s Transformation

Controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, stirred conversations on social media about Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson’s natural body.
The singer stated that he was shocked to know that the actress was married.
Portable recounted seeing the actress in movies during his childhood and commented on how her appearance had changed.
The singer talked about how Mercy Johnson used to have a curvier body and admitted that he initially thought she might have had surgery.
However, he complimented her natural looks and queried how more women are patronising BBL to change their bodies.
“I thought Mercy Johnson did BBL; I never knew her body was natural. Her husband probably told her to lose weight because her body was getting a lot of attention.”
Portable
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