Influencer Laila Nnyane has recently become the center of a heated controversy after a candid revelation on the Spreading Rumours podcast hosted by Seemah, Yanda Woods and Zille.
During the episode, Laila, who is now 40 years old, nonchalantly disclosed that she had dated a 17-year-old Angela Linda when she was 35, expressing no remorse or acknowledgment of any wrongdoing. This admission quickly ignited a firestorm on social media, with many users labelling her a pedophile and calling for accountability.
The specific podcast clip, shared on TikTok by the podcast, features Laila discussing her past relationship with an underage individual. In the video, she appears indifferent to the age gap and the legal implications, stating, “I wasn’t going after them, they went after me.” This blasé attitude has further fuelled public outrage.
@podcastandchillwithmacg Layla Explains While She Dates Influencers From Bloem #BantweeziesGoneWild #seemah #Bloemfontein #Podcastandchillnetwork ♬ original sound – Podcast and Chill Network
The TikTok video has garnered millions of views and thousands of comments, with users expressing their shock and disapproval.
One user commented, “This is unacceptable and predatory behaviour. She needs to be held accountable.”
Another wrote, “Imagine if the genders were reversed; this would be a criminal case.”
Laila even went further, implementing that her childhood traumas and her being molested at a young age might have caused her to date young girls. She stated, “Because of my childhood traumas, what I’ve been through, I have never had a romantic relationship. Those two were my first.” Yanda went on to ask her, “At the age of 35?” and Layla replied, “Yes.”
Laila also mentioned during the interview how she works with young people a lot, stating, “I’m always surrounded by young people, and that’s why I ended up dating young people.”
The reason this sparked a lot of rage from internet users and just people in general is because it is wrong in so many levels, in many jurisdictions, a sexual relationship between a 35-year-old and a 17-year-old is illegal and constitutes statutory rape. It’s basic knowledge that understanding and respecting the age of consent is there to protect minors from exploitation and is important in relationships.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with influence and the importance of ethical behaviour, both online and offline. It also highlights the power of social media in holding public figures accountable for their actions.
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