Nollywood actress and entrepreneur Carolyna Hutchings has announced her voluntary departure from the reality television show The Real Housewives of Lagos (RHOL), citing personal reasons.
Hutchings revealed her decision in a lengthy Instagram post on Monday, saying she wanted to distance herself from anything connected to the show and had moved on.
The actress said she was tired of being linked to the drama involving other cast members even after the programme had ended. According to her, the association continued to affect how the public viewed her career, personal life and relationships, despite having a life and career beyond the reality show.
Speaking about her career, Hutchings said she has spent more than two decades in the entertainment industry, appearing in over 60 films, producing three award-winning movies and creating employment opportunities for hundreds of people.
She said she enjoys acting, storytelling and being in front of the camera, but described herself as an “extreme introvert” who carefully chooses the people she allows into her personal space.
Addressing speculation about her relationship with fellow cast members, Hutchings said she did not regard any of them as her friends outside the show. She added that her kindness should not be interpreted as friendship.
The actress described her time on RHOL as a chapter of her life that she enjoyed, but said that chapter had now come to an end.
However, she did not completely rule out a return to the programme in the future, while expressing gratitude to the producers, Showmax and Africa Magic for giving her the opportunity to be part of the franchise.
Hutchings was part of the show’s inaugural season when it premiered in 2022. She took a break during the second season before returning for the third season, after which she has now announced her departure.