A “scandalous” video recently surfaced on Instagram, portraying famous People singer Libianca smoking weed. Since then the US based Cameroonian vocalist has received a significant amount of backlash from fans and other celebrities, including the well-known CY International whose comment particularly stood out to us.
However, despite this unexpected turn of events, we will continue to come across loyalists who will vouch for Libianca regardless. And so this begs the question, why exactly are the fans in an uproar? Is Libianca the first Cameroonian artist who smokes? Why are people vexed?
The Cameroonian populace put Libianca on a pedestal, that’s why.
Understandably so. The BET Award winning singer has achieved so much in such a short time span, and in the spirit of unity and supporting our own, we ought to have given her credit. This became a problem because we failed to acknowledge that she is human and as such is prone to vices and shortcomings as much as the rest of us.
Funny enough, Libianca is simply living her life unapologetically, as she should. Meanwhile the people who idolized her are either hiding their faces in shame or dragging her through the mud. Well, the image of her that we created is not her responsibility. She will continue to be an artist and will continue to smoke if that is what she deems fit.
Morale of the story?
Before you decide to idolize, praise and uplift another human being, bear in mind that they are not perfect and that the side of them that you see is only one part of their life. If you decide to pick and accept someone as a/your role model, accept them in their entirety, vices and all. And if you are not aware of their vices, as is so often the case, remember that they are people too and give them room for error. Avoid situations that will make you a friend today and a foe tomorrow.