I once thought of killing myself because of my height - Nigerian actor Aki reveals

Nigerian actor Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki, has revealed that he once contemplated suicide due to the relentless bullying he endured because of his small stature.

Speaking in an interview, Aki stated that he faced relentless ridicule and bullying, with people hurling hurtful insults that took a devastating toll on his mental health.

“I thought about ending it all,” Aki confessed, describing how the constant ridicule and the hurtful names people used to call him took a severe toll on his emotional well-being.

The psychological impact of the stigma he faced was profound, often leaving him weeping uncontrollably and overwhelmed by despair.

However, Aki credited his survival and eventual success to his mother’s unwavering support and practical advice. “My mother told me, ‘If you want to go abroad, read your books.’ I knew then that the only weapon I had to conquer the world was education,” he explained. This encouragement steered him away from his dark thoughts, as he focused on his studies and eventually rose to prominence in Nollywood.

Reflecting on those difficult moments, Aki recalled how, whenever negative thoughts crept in, he would remind himself of his mother’s words. “I would say to myself, ‘Remember what Mom said? Until these books fail me, I will keep going.” This steadfast determination became his source of comfort and a crucial factor in overcoming the emotional challenges of his youth.