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By Rita Okoye
Nigerian content creator, actress and entrepreneur Amarachi Blessing Amusi, better known as Ashmusy, has narrated her side of the controversy involving Big Brother Naija star Phyna and a proposed boxing event, admitting that while she did not intend to betray her friend, she made mistakes in how she handled the situation.
Ashmusy, while recounting the events that led to the fallout, said the controversy began during her holiday in Japan, when Phyna contacted her to participate in a boxing show.
“She kept trying to convince me, “oh let’s do it and collect the money”. I told her I wasn’t sure but several times in the chats I just said “okay, okay I’m in” Just to go with the flow and I was very busy, I hadn’t looked too deep but in my head I knew I wasn’t sure, Hence the contract they sent to me was delayed. I never sent back a signed contract to date,” she told Saturday Sun in a phone conversation.
She said her understanding of the event changed after she had discussions with one of the organisers’ representatives, identified as Teddy, who was following up with her about her participation.
According to her, after several conversations, she asked whether she could choose another opponent whose physical build was more compatible with hers if she eventually decided to participate.
“The person said, ‘Oh yes, go ahead, find your match.’ I said okay,” she recalled.
Ashmusy maintained that, as someone with no knowledge of boxing, she did not understand the implications of choosing another opponent on Phyna’s participation in the event.
She said she assumed the event would feature several boxing matches and that both she and Phyna could independently select opponents without one arrangement affecting the other.
Ashmusy attributed much of the confusion to her hectic schedule in Japan, noting that the time difference between Nigeria and Japan made communication difficult.
She stressed, however, that betrayal was never her intention.
“I didn’t mean to betray Phyna. Somebody in the company led me on. I was encouraged to find a match, and the person gave me the impression that she’ll communicate with Phyna.”
The controversy, she added, became even more distressing after she began receiving death threats, curses and other forms of online abuse.
Ashmusy said she attempted several times to resolve the matter publicly but claimed her efforts were unsuccessful, leaving her to accept the negative public perception despite acknowledging her own mistakes.
She revealed that she and Phyna have since spoken and “sort of reconciled,” insisting that they are now on good terms despite the ongoing negative perception surrounding the online controversy.
Reflecting on the experience, Ashmusy said the incident had taught her important lessons about communication, trust and professional boundaries.
She admitted that she had been too informal in her dealings with people, often assuming that others shared her free-spirited nature and goodwill.
According to her, she now understands the need to be more cautious, particularly as a public figure and entrepreneur.
“As a public figure, you need to keep every conversation very professional.”
Ashmusy said she had learnt to document important conversations, establish clearer professional boundaries and be more deliberate in her dealings with individuals and organisations.
She concluded that although the controversy had caused significant damage to her reputation, she was taking responsibility for her part in the situation and would use the experience as a lesson in the future.
