Nollywood actress and body positivity advocate, Monalisa Stephen, has passed away at the age of 33. She died on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Lagos.

According to a statement from her immediate younger sister, the cause of death was complications arising from low blood sugar and internal bleeding. Monalisa had previously been open about her battle with diabetes, a condition she had lived with since childhood.

Monalisa Stephen was known not only for her appearances in films such as Mami Wata and Breaded Life but also for her fearless stance on issues surrounding body image, fatphobia, and mental health. She built a platform that gave voice to women who had long been ignored, ridiculed, or shamed into silence.

She produced the award-winning movie ‘FatBulous’, which earned recognition at the Saskatchewan International Film Festival in Canada, including Best Cinematography and Best Actress.

Her final Instagram post, dated April 29, featured her dancing to Davido’s "10 Kilo," a tribute to confident women she admired. It has since become a symbolic farewell, capturing the spirit of a woman who lived out loud and refused to shrink herself to fit into society’s narrow standards.

Stephen's work extended beyond entertainment—she was a vocal mental health advocate who spoke openly about depression, suicidal ideation, and the emotional toll of constant criticism. Her honesty helped spark important conversations around the mental well-being of public figures, especially plus-size women navigating fame in a harsh digital world, in which she started a movement known as the Love Yourself First (LYF) movement, a community dedicated to supporting women and individuals struggling with depression, low self-esteem, and body image issues.

Her death has left a significant void in Nigeria’s creative and advocacy spaces. Tributes have continued to pour in across social media platforms, with fans, colleagues, and followers remembering her as a courageous woman who challenged stereotypes and inspired self-acceptance.

Though Monalisa Stephen is no longer with us, her voice, her fight, and her legacy remain.