Juliet Kings, the mother and manager of teen actress Angel Unigwe, has responded robustly to allegations of unprofessional conduct and contract breaches leveled against them by veteran actor Kanayo O. Kanayo.
Kanayo, in a video posted on his Instagram page on Friday, accused Ms. Kings of breaching contracts and holding producers to ransom. The 62-year-old actor warned producers against employing Unigwe and threatened to disrupt any movie production involving her.
In a swift rebuttal, Unigwe’s manager, Ms. Kings, dismissed Kanayo’s accusations as “baseless falsehoods” and announced that legal action had been initiated against him.
“We wish to reiterate our support for and firm stance against such unjust treatment and bullying tactics. Angel’s health, safety, and professional integrity remain our top priorities, and we will not tolerate any attempts to intimidate or defame her,” Ms. Kings stated.
She emphasized that Unigwe’s filming hours have consistently adhered to a twelve-hour workday, depending on the producer’s schedule. Ms. Kings urged the public to disregard Kanayo’s claims and to support them in combating what she described as a case of cyberbullying and harassment.
Legal Action and Cyberbullying Claims
Ms. Kings stated that their lawyers have been contacted, and legal proceedings are underway to address the defamatory statements and threats made by Kanayo. She called for protection from security agencies and organizations to safeguard her and her daughter from any potential aggression or harm.
Ms. Kings highlighted the emotional distress caused by Kanayo’s statements, describing his actions as reflective of broader gender-based oppression within the industry. She pointed out that both she and her daughter have faced derogatory remarks for insisting on adherence to contractual terms.
“It’s disheartening to see such behavior in an industry that should be built on mutual respect and professionalism, especially from someone we hold in high regard and consider a veteran,” Ms. Kings said.
Contractual Commitments
Ms. Kings assured that her daughter, Angel, has always honored the terms of her contracts. She recounted an agreement with Kanayo that specified a three-day filming period, with a daily wrap time of 9:00 p.m. Despite concerns about the feasibility of filming fifty-seven scenes in three days, they proceeded based on assurances from Kanayo and his director.
“Upon completion of the shoot, we left the location without protest from the director or the production manager, having performed our obligations,” Ms. Kings stated. She expressed shock at Kanayo’s allegations, stressing that they were unexpected and unfounded.
Kanayo’s Response
Kanayo responded to Ms. Kings’ legal action by saying that he has not received any court order. “I’m unaware of any letter (court order). Don’t forget I’m a lawyer, so I will respond when she brings it up. I haven’t received anything, but I’m waiting,” he said.
