The 'Massive' Journey From Toyin Aimakhu To 'New' Toyin Abraham

 

Nollywood screen diva Toyin Abraham, since the beginning of her acting career in the Nigerian movie industry has become a force to reckon with in interpretation of roles and movie productions. Since her first appearance on a movie set through Bukky Wright, she has won a series of awards, and recognitions to her name.

Abraham is unarguably one of the biggest brands in the Nigerian movie industry and has over time proven that through her relentless efforts in making a name for herself.

However, her success story cannot be told without some of her pasts. Even though some are shady, one which the screen goddess agreed, the ‘new’ her, like she claimed in a tweet has taken it upon herself to encourage some of her fans.

Just recently, she kicked against people shading others based on their past, even when a change has been made.

“Everyone has a past, some more intense than others. Stop using their past to judge them. Everyone has done something they are not proud of. So when people want to change, support them, and help them grow. Stop judging,” she wrote.

In a tweet in the early hours of Thursday, July 9, the mother of one insinuated that there was a “There was a Toyin Aimakhu then Toyin Abraham happened three years ago. Let's not forget the 'new’ Toyin is just three years ago. It has been one massive journey of change and faithfulness of God. What a journey! Living my life at my pace and being at peace with my pace.

There was a Toyin Aimakhu then Toyin Abraham happened three years ago. Let's not forget the ''new" Toyin is just three years ago. It has been one massive journey of change and faithfulness of God. What a journey!
Living my life at my pace and being at peace with my pace. pic.twitter.com/FmmmksiSBg

— TOYIN ABRAHAM (@toyin_abraham1) July 9, 2020

Change of Surname

The actress who initially bore Aimakhu, wowed many in 2016 changed her surname to Abraham, which according to her was a family decision.

A statement released by her publicist read “Multiple-award winning actress formerly known as Toyin Aimakhu will be called Toyin Abraham from now onwards.

“The actress said the reason behind her name change, “is a family decision and will like to be officially addressed as Toyin Abraham henceforth,” it added.

Former Marriage

She was formerly married to fellow actor Adeniyi Johnson. They got married on Monday, July 8, 2013, at the Ikoyi Registry, Lagos.  And “filed for divorce on the grounds of infidelity in August 2015,” Johnson had written on his Instagram stories.

In an interview in 2017, she revealed that she indulged in hard drugs after her marriage to Johnson collapsed.

“I didn’t plan for a broken marriage. But when it came, there were so many negativities and I was emotionally carried away,” she said in an interview with Broadway TV.

“I didn’t heal before jumping into another relationship. I thought I was going to be healed through another relationship.

“I wasn’t focusing on the things that really matter, but on the things that don’t matter.

“I didn’t love myself enough. I was losing touch with things that use to work for me because I was involved in negative habits; like drugs, smoking, codeine. Codeine is very bad.

“Those things were empowering my negative energy. Sometimes even when I do something very well and positive, it would just end being negative. So I had to stop.”

According to her, she sought help when she observed that the habit affected her overall efforts

“Of course, I sought for help. I changed some people and friends around me. I had to stop my negative habits. I worked on the negativity around me. I tried to be positive and I had to deal with depression and drugs,” she said.

The ‘new’ Toyin Abraham/ Marriage To Ajeyemi

Fans of Nollywood actors, Abraham and her husband, Kolawole Ajeyemi, were taken by surprise when their engagement photos and news of baby’s arrival hit the social media space in 2019.

Surprisingly, Abraham and Ajeyemi started dating as far back as late 2017, but their fans only observed in early 2019.

Speaking in a recent interview with Pulse, the actress who is obviously enjoying her marriage with the actor, said they had been friends for a long time but they began their love journey in late 2017.

“I have known him for years. Every time we talk about him, I'm always blushing o. I'm in love (General laughter). We've been in the industry together for a very long time. He is my senior colleague. He is a very good guy, very calm, very mature. What do you expect? He is over 40. He has been my friend for a very long time, however, we started dating in late 2017."

According to the mother of one, she didn’t think the union would work before because of the issues she had in her last marriage, which made her decide not to go for someone in the industry again.

"I was not even serious about it initially, that's why I always tell people 'never say never.' I didn't believe I was still going to get married to an actor. But it has always been my prayer to marry where ever I'm working. When I had issues with last marriage, I made up my mind that I wasn't going to be with any actor but God said this was what he wanted," she said.