Reality TV star Leo Da Silva has called on Nigerians to stop dictating how people mourn their loved ones, emphasising that grief is personal and should never be judged.
His comments came in response to the case of a content creator who lost his wife and faced public criticism for continuing to post online shortly after her passing.
According to the creator, remaining active on social media was necessary to support his three children financially.
Leo reacted strongly on social media, questioning the moral authority of those who judged the grieving husband.
“This guy makes content with his wife and his wife just died leaving him with 3 kids. Nigerians are telling him to go offline to mourn. He’s telling them he needs to be online so he can feed his family. Who tf are you to tell anyone what to do after they lose their loved one?” he wrote, highlighting the need for empathy and understanding.
Leo stressed that mourning is not a one-size-fits-all process. He pointed out that while some people prefer to grieve in private, others cope by maintaining routines or continuing with work and responsibilities.
“Everyone processes loss differently,” he noted. “Some people find solace in staying active, working, or sharing memories online. That doesn’t make them disrespectful or insensitive.”
His remarks struck a chord with followers of the content creator, many of whom shared their own experiences of being judged during periods of grief. One widower recounted the backlash he faced after continuing to post about his business online following the death of his wife three years ago.
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“When I lost my wife 3 years ago, people asked me to stop posting about my business online and on my status because to them it was insensitive. These were people who didn’t even contribute a kobo to her coffin nor burial,” he wrote.
Leo emphasized that public judgment adds unnecessary pain to those already coping with loss, especially when they are balancing grief with responsibilities such as caring for children or managing finances.
“Instead of condemning people for how they grieve, we should offer support and compassion,” he said. “Not everyone has the luxury of withdrawing completely, and being online or working doesn’t diminish their love or respect for the person they lost.”
The TV personality’s comments have sparked conversations online about social norms, empathy, and the pressures of public scrutiny in the digital age. Many social media users applauded Leo for defending the content creator and encouraging a more compassionate approach to loss.
“Grief isn’t performative,” one fan wrote. “You can mourn and still live your life. People need to mind their business.”
As digital platforms increasingly blur the lines between private and public life, Leo Da Silva’s message serves as a reminder: mourning is personal and judging others for how they cope only adds unnecessary pain.
