Nigerian superstar Ayra Starr has recently found herself at the centre of a cyberbullying storm, far beyond ordinary trolling. An edited, fake nude image of her has been circulated online. The attack isn’t just mean-spirited banter; it’s a form of digital violence that violates her dignity, safety, and self-worth.
The Reality of the Attack
An X user, @EuniceOkePurple, exposed a harrowing incident: another now suspended user, @o_useyi, allegedly took Ayra Starr’s photo, digitally removed her clothes, and circulated a fake nude image for likes and impressions. This isn’t mere trolling; it’s cyber-harassment and a violation of her image and personhood. According to the post:
“This is not banter … It is digital violence. It is harassment. It is a violation.”
What’s happening to Ayra Starr right now is not just “social media trolling.”
It is digital violence.
It is harassment.
It is a violation.@o_useyi took her picture, digitally removed her clothes, and circulated a fake nude image of her, all for likes and impressions
This is…— Purple | Builder🌟 (@EuniceOkePurple) November 17, 2025
That language is deliberate. By framing the attack as “digital violence,” the critic emphasises that this is systemic and serious, not a harmless online spat.
The post also calls out Mavin Records, Ayra’s label, urging them to take a firm stand. The argument is that a label shouldn’t just handle PR, it should defend the dignity and safety of its artists, especially when they’re being attacked in ways that go beyond character criticism. If there’s no accountability, others will treat such violations as acceptable.
Part of the online campaign against Ayra involves rumours about her having body and/or mouth odour. For example, a short video clip shows Tems and Ayra Starr miming to a song; at one moment, Tems holds her nose, but trolls later framed the clip as evidence of “bad breath.” These tactics reflect how gendered disinformation works: smear campaigns use selective editing, taken-out-of-context media, and outright falsehoods to dehumanise women in public.
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In June 2025, Ayra took to her X account to express frustration:
“There’s nothing I can do nor say to people that intentionally want to bully … You’ve found a scapegoat abi? … Focus on issues that actually matter and leave me TF alone.”
There’s nothing I can do nor say to people that intentionally want to bully and misunderstand me every time , you’ve found a scapegoat abi ? Focus on issues that actually matter and leave me tf alone
— Celestial being (@ayrastarr) June 16, 2025
Media coverage confirms she has repeatedly faced harsh criticism, especially about her fashion, suggesting that her body and style are persistent targets.
Reports indicate this isn’t just random trolling. According to Inside Port Harcourt Media, the campaign appears coordinated, with baseless rumours about odour being amplified without credible evidence. This suggests a deliberate strategy to harm her mental health and public image.
Now, a picture posted by @bheeydon on X shows Ayra Starr with different people and the depiction of them covering their noses.
Yes, you did
They even covered their nose https://t.co/wUBgjnhW6N pic.twitter.com/hHePpCkG4O— The most unluckiest jerk in the world (@bheeydon) November 17, 2025
What people commented:
streets say they’re turning their heads away, nd it’s coz you smell
— Dead Poet (@RanceRider2) November 17, 2025
Why your armpit de yellow? pic.twitter.com/yY4dM49pLn
— Get Smart (@Getsense16) November 17, 2025
This girl's beauty is overhyped too much… See the way Nigerian men are drooling 🥴
Come to Ghana and see more prettier girls and celebs💯— Olem💋 (@Avec_de_largent) November 17, 2025
Why This Matters
The digital removal and circulation of a fake nude image is a form of image-based abuse, sometimes called “revenge porn” when done maliciously. Even though the image isn’t real, the intent is the same: to shame, humiliate, and control. It’s a violation of privacy and dignity.
The call on Mavin Records to defend Ayra Starr raises an important issue: how much responsibility do entertainment companies bear when their artists are attacked online?
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Hauwa Lawal
Content creator and writer Hauwa Lawal also came under intense cyberbullying. Following a social media exchange, she was body-shamed and insulted with demeaning language by certain users.
