Olajumoke Orisaguna, famously known as “Olajumoke Onibread,” became a symbol of hope in 2016 after a stroke of luck turned her life around.
While hawking bread on the streets of Lagos, she unknowingly walked into a photoshoot with British rapper Tinie Tempah, a moment immortalized by photographer TY Bello.
The picture went viral, propelling Olajumoke from obscurity to fame as a model.
But behind the dazzling headlines and inspiring rags-to-riches story was a darker tale, one that Olajumoke recently opened up about in a heartfelt interview with City FM.
She shared the harrowing reality of her past, marked by domestic abuse and emotional torment, and the struggles that continued even after her life appeared to change for the better.
Before her big break, Olajumoke lived in Ire, Osun State, a place she described as a battleground for survival. Her home was anything but peaceful.
Her mother-in-law constantly subjected her to emotional abuse, and her ex-husband, Sunday Orisaguna, inflicted physical violence.
She recounted her days as suffocating and her nights filled with fear, trapped in a home where love and comfort seemed nonexistent.
Determined to escape the cycle of abuse, Olajumoke made a bold move to Lagos, hoping for a fresh start. She began hawking bread, a humble job that kept her afloat until fate intervened.
That chance encounter with TY Bello’s camera changed everything. Suddenly, she was the face of a feel-good story, an inspiring example of how quickly life can turn around.
However, Olajumoke revealed that her struggles didn’t end with her newfound fame. Sunday eventually moved to Lagos, bringing the abuse with him.
Despite her rising career, she remained tethered to a toxic relationship, bound by societal pressure and the fear of judgment. She admitted that the thought of leaving her marriage felt impossible, especially with two children caught in the middle.
When she finally separated from Sunday, things took another bitter turn. She alleged that he set out to ruin her life, spreading false stories and tarnishing her reputation.
The backlash affected her career, with the bright future that once seemed assured beginning to dim under the weight of scandal and negativity.
