Popular Nigerian-American actor and singer, Olurotimi Akinosho, widely known as Rotimi, has opened up about a difficult period in his life when alcohol became an unhealthy escape.
The entertainer shared how anxiety, stress, and spiritual disconnection once drove him to rely on drinking for temporary relief.
In a reflective video posted on his official Instagram account on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Rotimi spoke candidly about how alcohol gave him a misleading sense of confidence and reassurance.
“Alcohol almost took me out. False confidence, false strength, false reassurance. All lies of the enemy. YOU’RE more than enough. You’re a conqueror. You’re loved,” he said. “Real strength comes from recognising your worth and understanding that you are loved.”
Rotimi recounted how life sometimes felt overwhelming, and the pressures he faced left him seeking ways to escape the emotional weight he carried.
“There was a time when I was like, just try to find an escape. Life was hard, I was filled with anxiety, and I was stressed,” he revealed.
He described moments when he was alone, and alcohol seemed like a solution. With tequila, vodka, and other drinks within reach, he would mix a few and try to unwind, only to realize later that it brought little relief.
“And so far I had a moment to myself like this, I would just get some, I do not know, they got tequila, vodka, all that over there and I was just make a few drinks for myself and just chill, get nice and wake up, like why did I do that?” Rotimi added.
The aftermath, he said, was far more draining than the temporary comfort drinking seemed to provide. The days following alcohol use often brought pain and fatigue, yet he still had to meet his responsibilities.
“So I just thank God for just taking out that spirit out of me because those drinks were sacrificed. 2-3 days later, they would be the most painful days after and I got to work another day,” he explained.
Looking back, Rotimi believes the root of his struggle was internal pain and a sense of spiritual disconnection.
“I used to go through a lot of pain and I did not know that I was in pain, separated from God and just looking for outlets and vices,” he added.
The journey toward healing, he says, began when he turned back to faith and embraced a healthier path. Today, he credits God, personal growth, and family support for helping him overcome those struggles.
“We thank God for growth, family, and healing,” Rotimi said. “They say that think is demonic; that is true it is the out body experience that is why you black out and do not remember the things you be doing and saying.”
Rotimi’s decision to stop drinking and reduce social media activity was also influenced by his marriage.
In a previous video shared on Instagram on July 23, 2025, he explained how these changes were motivated by a desire to set a positive example for his children.
“I don’t drink anymore because of my marriage, and I don’t do social media anymore. At the end of the day, I am a man, so I am like, let me just flee, which is also biblical. I have a son who is smart and pays attention to everything.
“They say the best way to raise a boy is to be good to their mother, and when you have that, it is unbelievable, and the blessings just start breaking out,” he said.
Rotimi’s story reflects a journey from struggle to self-awareness, emphasizing the importance of faith, family, and personal growth in overcoming life’s challenges.
