The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of plus-size actress and body positivity advocate, Monalisa Ayobami Stephen, also known as Gabacci.

The news of her death was confirmed on Wednesday, May 14, by Seun Oloketuyi, CEO of Best of Nollywood (BON), who revealed that the actress died in Lagos on Tuesday, May 13, after suffering complications related to low blood sugar and internal bleeding.

“Brand influencer Monalisa Ayobami Stephen is dead. She died yesterday in Lagos after losing the fight against low sugar and internal bleeding. Her immediate younger sister confirmed the death of this hardworking and beautiful soul,” Oloketuyi said in a public statement.

Her family, including her immediate younger sister, has also confirmed the heartbreaking news.

Monalisa Stephen rose to prominence in Nollywood for her bold presence, strong personality, and powerful advocacy on mental health, self-love, and body image. Through her social media platforms, she championed conversations around plus-size representation and became a respected voice in Nigeria’s body positivity movement.

Her final Instagram post, shared on April 29, 2025, showed her dancing to Davido’s hit single “10 Kilo” from his fifth studio album 5ive.
“You know this is one of my favorite songs on ‘5IVE’. Full video tomorrow! Here is to all the confident women I know and love. 10 KILO is for all of us,” she captioned the now-viral video.

Monalisa was not only an actress but a cultural figure whose message of confidence and inclusion resonated across generations.

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