Popular comedian and filmmaker, Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, has paid an emotional tribute to late Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo, describing his death as a painful reminder that many public figures silently battle personal struggles behind their smiles.
AY shared the tribute on his Instagram page on Wednesday following reports that the actor died at the age of 40 after an alleged battle with cancer.
In the emotional post, the comedian said seeing Ekubo’s lifeless body left him heartbroken, noting that the actor appeared peaceful in death.
“We lost Alexx Ekubo, a young man, a colleague, a brother, a talent, and someone many people only knew through the smile he gave the world,” AY wrote.
“Watching his lifeless body right in front of me, I can honestly say that even in death, he looked peaceful. He looked like someone who had carried pain quietly for too long and finally found rest,” he added.
AY disclosed that the late actor never publicly discussed his health struggles, saying the development should encourage Nigerians to show more compassion toward public figures.
“He never shared or disclosed issues concerning his health with any of us. And that is the part that should make all of us pause,” he stated.
The comedian lamented the pressures celebrities face behind fame and social media appearances, including illness, emotional struggles, loneliness and constant public scrutiny.
READ ALSO: Nollywood Mourns As Actor Alexx Ekubo Passes Away At 40
“Behind the fine pictures, the red carpets, the movie premieres, the jokes, the smiles and the celebrity lifestyle, many public figures are fighting battles nobody can see,” he wrote.
“Some are battling sickness. Some are battling emotional struggles. Some are battling loneliness. Some are battling family issues. Some are battling the pressure of being judged by people who do not know them personally.”
AY also referenced other late public figures, including Chadwick Boseman, Sammie Okposo and Caroline Flack, saying many celebrities endure private pain despite their public image.
He urged Nigerians to stop mocking people online or turning personal struggles into entertainment.
“Before you blog that unconfirmed story, type that insult, before you mock that weight loss, before you laugh at that failed relationship, before you turn someone’s pain into content, please remember that your comment may be meeting them at the weakest point of their life,” he added.
“Let us stop waiting for people to die before we love them properly. Rest well, Alexx.”
Tributes have continued to pour in across social media from fans, colleagues and celebrities mourning the late actor, who was regarded as one of Nollywood’s most recognisable stars.