Nollywood actress Ola Samuel has opened up about a difficult chapter in the life of her friend and colleague, Austine Emmanuel, revealing how close he came to breaking down completely due to overwhelming hardship.
In an emotional interview posted on the official YouTube channel of Jeff Owolewa TV on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Samuel shared that Austine endured betrayal, abandonment, and intense challenges within the movie industry while trying to secure a better future abroad.
According to her, when Austine made plans to leave Nigeria, some movie marketers allegedly sabotaged his efforts. Despite the opposition he faced, Samuel said she stood by him and refused to turn her back during his lowest moments.
She added that had Austine remained in Nigeria, his mental and emotional well-being could have been in serious danger, as the struggles almost broke him.
“Austine is not the kind of person that I will stop associating myself with. When Austine wanted to travel abroad, some movie marketers connived against him, but I stood by him because I’m not an ingrate,” she said.
She explained that she and Austine stayed in touch while he was away, and she was meant to pick him up at the airport upon his return to Nigeria.
However, his friends picked him up instead.
When she finally saw him, she was heartbroken by how much he had changed.
“I started crying when I saw Austine. He looked like someone who was infected with HIV,” she recalled emotionally.
Samuel said she feared for Austine’s life, describing how the difficulties he faced nearly broke him completely.
“I felt like Austine was going to die if he didn’t leave Nigeria at the time because he passed through many difficulties,” she added.
Her heartfelt testimony has resonated with fans, who praised her loyalty and compassion while calling for more support for artists who silently struggle behind the scenes.
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