Entertainment of 2026-09-22
‘I was once described as a walking pornography’ - Mzbel painfully recounts
Veteran Ghanaian musician Mzbel has revealed that she was once described as “a walking pornography” and subjected to years of public scrutiny during the early stages of her music career.
She said this was because of her appearance and stage art at that time.
Speaking in an interview with Kafui Dey, Mzbel said the attacks against her were deliberate and extended beyond public criticism to the point where some industry figures allegedly plotted to deny her opportunities.
“I was targeted. Not that I felt it, I saw it. It was face to face,” she said.
She said the individuals, whom she described as “gatekeepers”, consistently spoke negatively about her whenever organisers outside Ghana tried to book her for performances.
“People would want to put me on a gig outside Ghana; they are what they call the gatekeepers. They have to say all the negative things about me and suggest another female artiste,” she explained.
‘I went to North and Benin to curse a lady several times but it never worked’ - Mzbel
According to Mzbel, the hostility began after a female journalist criticised one of her performances, describing her stage act as inappropriate because of how she dressed and danced.
“Because one woman disagreed with the way I dressed to perform in the club. I was too naughty. I was licking my fingers, I was all over the stage, I was shaking my ass. The way she described the whole thing, she even added the word ‘porn’ somewhere. At a point, people said I was a walking pornography, and all I did was wear a short skirt,” Mzbel said
She added that the criticism soon became the basis for attempts to push her out of the music industry.
“People meant to erase me because I was bad,” she stated
When Kafui Dey pointed out that the criticism came from a female journalist, Mzbel admitted it hurt her deeply. She then refused to reveal the journalist’s identity because she is now deceased.
“Then I didn’t even care whether it was a female. I felt like, ‘Why would you?’ It really hurts, you know? But she’s no more, so I will not say her name,” she stated
The singer added that the perception created about her persisted for years, with many people automatically associating her image with pornography.
“Once people’s minds are programmed that this is who Mzbel is, as soon as you see Mzbel, it has to be pornography. It’s something that’s associated with pornography. I have lived with it,” the singer stated
Mzbel also recalled how discussions about her often left her feeling isolated, stating that radio stations would dedicate phone-in segments to criticising her appearance after performances.
“It made me uncomfortable because when I go out into public, I’m not sure who is nice and who is not nice because I always get attacked on radio. They will open the phone lines and the whole conversation is about one person… They didn’t like what I was wearing, and it would be a whole topic on radio,” she added
Drawing parallels with the late Ebony Reigns, Mzbel said she understood exactly what the young singer went through because she had experienced similar criticism.
“When I saw Ebony, I saw how she would dress freely, and she’s happy on stage… I knew she wouldn’t have it easy. I always saw it coming, but I didn’t think she’d pass away so soon like that,” she sympathized
@kafuidey7 I was targeted, once described as ‘walking pornography.’ When Ebony came onto the scene, I worried for her because of what I had experienced — @Goddess Mzbel Check my YOUTUBE channel (@kafuideymc) for full interview #KafuiDeyInterviews #foryoupage❤️❤️ #viralvideo ♬ original sound - Kafui Dey
PAT/EB
