Actress Azeezat Shorunmu Shares How She Lost Her Vocal Cords Forever on Set
Sometimes, life throws unexpected curveballs, and for popular Nollywood actress and producer Azeezat Shorunmu, it came in the form of a permanent change to her voice. Known for her distinctive raspy tone today, Azeezat recently opened up about how her vocal cords were irreversibly damaged during a movie shoot.
In a heartfelt interview on Oyinmomo TV, she recounted the emotional turmoil that led to the loss of her original voice. The incident happened on the set of the film ‘Apase’ when she was overwhelmed by the tragic news that fellow actress Surutu had lost her child on the very day filming was to begin.
“Everyone knows this isn’t my natural voice,” Azeezat explained. “That morning, Mummy Surutu’s child passed away, and she had already been paid. I was confused and devastated when I heard the news. It was while I was screaming that I lost my voice.”
Throughout the production, her voice remained blocked—a condition that usually clears up quickly but stubbornly lingered and worsened for four months. The silence was agonizing. “It’s painful to be mute when you want to express yourself but can’t,” she shared.
Determined to regain her voice, Azeezat tried everything from medical treatments to spiritual remedies, including anointing oil. Yet, when her vocal cords finally healed, her voice emerged changed—smaller, cracked, and raspy—a new signature sound that she now embraces.
Her story is a poignant reminder of the unexpected sacrifices artists sometimes make and how resilience can turn even loss into a unique strength.