Popular Nigerian actress and TV host Nancy Isime has opened up about some of the challenges she faced during her teenage years, revealing a side of her journey that many fans may not have known. She recalled a time when, at just 17 years old, she often had to sleep on benches or chairs at event venues due to a lack of transportation after working late nights as a model and event usher.
Nancy recounted how she would finish work at events in the dead of night with no safe or affordable way to return home. Her only option at times was to sleep wherever she could—usually on hard benches or plastic chairs at the event location. Despite her father’s concerns about her well-being, she said she was fiercely independent and determined to take control of her life in her own way. In her words:
“I’m a dangerous gyal and it’s best to let me figure out life my way, else the rebellion is quite rebellious.”
During this difficult period, Nancy found unexpected support from Nigerian singer Yemi Alade. She revealed that when she reached out to Yemi during her struggles, the singer graciously offered her a place to stay. Nancy lived with Yemi for a few weeks, and to this day, she remains deeply grateful. She described Yemi Alade as a “bookmark of kindness and generosity”, praising her for opening her home without judgment or hesitation.
But Nancy’s hardships didn’t begin at 17. She lost her mother when she was just five years old, a tragic event that forced her to mature quickly. By the age of 16, she was already working and soon made the bold decision to move out of her father’s house at 17. By 19, she was entirely self-sufficient, paying her own school fees and even supporting her family financially, including sending money home and paying her younger sister’s school fees.
Beyond the financial burdens, Nancy also battled mental health struggles, including episodes of depression and even suicidal thoughts. She has openly spoken about how these experiences shaped her understanding of emotional resilience. Through time, she found healing by embracing self-love and receiving encouragement from her support system.
