Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing has sparked a fresh round of online debate after offering a detailed explanation for her choice of mobile phone during a recent podcast appearance. The actress stated she deliberately used an iPhone 16 Pro Max to call her son during the show to avoid public criticism.
The Reason Behind the Phone Choice
According to the actress, who spoke on the podcast, her decision was a strategic one to manage public perception. Nkechi Blessing explained that if she had used her claimed iPhone 17 model, viewers would have accused her of either using a fake device or blatantly showing off her wealth. "I used iPhone 16 Pro Max to call my son on the podcast because if I had used my iPhone 17, people will say it’s XR or I’m showing off," she stated.
The revelation took a more controversial turn when the actress made a bold claim about her gadget collection. She asserted that she currently possesses three consecutive models of the popular smartphone: the iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and iPhone 17. This statement raised eyebrows because, as of December 1, 2025, the iPhone 17 models are not yet commercially available to the public.
Social Media Erupts with Reactions
Following the podcast, social media platforms were flooded with reactions from fans and critics alike, compiled by Legit.ng. Many Nigerians expressed skepticism and amusement at the actress's claims and her perceived need to explain her phone usage.
One user, @ayurexars, shared a related anecdote: "The way Nigerians are crazy about gadget is something else... a student who should be around 10-13 years saw me holding iPhone 17 air, you need to see the way she screamed." This comment highlighted the intense, and sometimes surprising, awareness of gadget models within the Nigerian populace, even among young children.
Other reactions were more critical of the culture surrounding material possessions. User @Dr_AbbyD commented, "Only Nigerians can turn something as trivial as which phone you use into a status debate. The elitism over completely inconsequential things is wild. Madness!" Meanwhile, @livewithjudith advised, "Honestly Nkechi has passed this stage of trying to prove how many iPhones she has and its originality. It’s very belittling."
Context and Previous Controversy
This incident is not Nkechi Blessing's first encounter with public scrutiny recently. The actress, who also claimed to have arrested the person who leaked a private gym picture of her, found herself in another controversy involving social media critic VeryDarkMan.
Legit.ng recalled that VeryDarkMan previously announced a N500,000 giveaway aimed at the individual responsible for leaking Nkechi's gym photo, after the actress sent a warning message to the culprit. This ongoing narrative of public feuds and personal explanations forms the backdrop to the latest iPhone discussion.
The podcast segment has effectively turned a simple act—making a phone call—into a talking point about celebrity lifestyle, public image management, and the societal pressure to display or downplay wealth in Nigeria's entertainment scene.
