Deep kiss with married actor, Ettim-Effiong, was simply promotional—Bolaji Ogunmola

The kiss shared between Nigerian actors Bolaji Ogunmola and Daniel Etim-Effiong in a promotional video for their upcoming movie Summer Rain has ignited widespread reactions online.

Despite Ogunmola’s explanation that the moment was part of their professional obligations, the controversy continues to gather momentum.

The promotional clip, released on January 9, 2024, featured a brief but intimate scene where Daniel, playing the character Adimchi, kissed Ogunmola’s Murewa.

The five-second video quickly made waves on social media, sparking criticism from users who questioned the necessity of the kiss, especially given Daniel’s marital status to Toyosi Etim-Effiong.

The backlash extended beyond the actors as Toyosi’s name began trending on X (formerly Twitter), with many weighing in on the dynamics of professional boundaries in the entertainment industry. In the midst of the uproar, Bolaji Ogunmola took to X to clarify the situation and defend their actions.

“Promotional shoot/content is part of an actor’s contractual obligations. Were there cameras there? Yes. Tons of people there? Yes. Was he there as a husband? No. He’s an ACTOR playing a character called Adimchi who’s ridiculously in love with Murewa. Was he professional? Yes!” she tweeted.

Ogunmola emphasised the importance of the scene in highlighting the romantic essence of Summer Rain, which is set to premiere in cinemas on February 7, 2025, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

She further celebrated the engagement the clip had garnered, stating, “1.3 million impressions—that’s just crazy. If we can get you like this on a 16-second video, imagine the entire film.”

The controversy, however, has continued to stir diverse reactions. While some users criticized the kiss as unnecessary, others argued it was an effective promotional strategy.

One user commented: “Regardless, the kiss wasn’t necessary for the promotional shoot. There are many ways to communicate love, e.g., eye contact.”

Another remarked,:“Did it get you people talking about the movie?? Yes. Did the promotional video work?? Absolutely.”

Some netizens took a more critical stance, with one saying, “It’s very easy to analyze positively and be objective until it hits home.”

Another added, “To all the ladies saying they are actors, it’s all fun and games until it’s your husbae.”

While Ogunmola’s posts clarified the intent behind the kiss and aimed to defuse the backlash, it’s clear that the dust stirred by this promotional move won’t be settling anytime soon.