Nollywood Actor Jide Awobona Calls for Medical Checks on Movie Sets After K!ssing Co-Star With B∆d Breath
Nollywood Actor Jide Awobona Calls for Medical Checks on Movie Sets After Kissing Co-Star With Bad Breath
Nollywood Actor Jide Awobona Calls for Medical Checks on Movie Sets After Kissing Co-Star With Bad Breath
Nollywood actor Jide Awobona has sparked a conversation about hygiene and health protocols on movie sets after revealing a deeply uncomfortable experience during a kissing scene with an unnamed actress who had bad breath. In an interview with Yanga FM on Thursday, August 6, 2026, the actor opened up about the incident, expressing fears about the health risks associated with intimate scenes without proper medical checks on cast members.
Awobona, who has filmed kissing scenes during his career, said he draws the line when a co-star has an unpleasant mouth odour. Speaking in Pidgin English, he recounted: “Yes, I have done it. But if you get that kind funny odor, I go japa oo. I no fit kiss you”. When pressed further by the interviewer, he confirmed he had acted opposite someone with mouth odour and described what happened next: “Yes, I don act with somebody wey get mouth odor. And I go one place go wash my mouth. And the person con see me”.
The actor said the experience left him genuinely worried about his health, noting that the lack of mandatory medical checks before actors share such close scenes on set is an issue worth addressing. “I just dey pray make person no go contact something because I don tire,” he revealed. While Awobona did not identify the actress involved, his remarks appeared aimed less at embarrassing anyone and more at flagging what he sees as a real occupational hazard.
His comments have drawn attention to the challenges actors face when performing scenes that involve close physical contact. Kissing scenes have become common in some Nollywood productions, particularly in romantic dramas, but they can raise questions about personal boundaries, consent, hygiene, and health. Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, can have several possible causes, including poor oral hygiene, gum problems, and tooth decay. However, Awobona’s broader concern is about disease transmission through saliva or close contact, which can vary depending on the health status of the individuals involved.
The actor’s revelation has sparked conversation about actor welfare and hygiene protocols on film sets. In some film industries outside Nigeria, productions have increasingly adopted intimacy coordinators to help manage scenes involving kissing and other close physical contact. While Awobona did not claim he contracted any illness from the experience, his comments reflect concerns that can arise when actors are required to engage in intimate scenes without proper safeguards.
