June 21, 2025— Nollywood was thrown into mourning as Esther Oluwaseun Titilope Odeniyi, known professionally as Berry White, tragically collapsed and passed away in her apartment. The heartbreaking announcement came on June 20, when fellow actress Bakare Zainab took to Instagram to share the devastating news—reporting that Berry White had “slumped” at home three days earlier, and her body remained undiscovered in the residence as loved ones searched for her family.
A Rising Star Gone Too Soon
Berry White was gaining rapid recognition in Nollywood, particularly for her roles in Yoruba-language films such as Anikulapo. Her promising trajectory in the industry only underscored how sharply her death hit those who admired her work and personality.
Grief and Urgency
Bakare Zainab’s Instagram plea—
“Ahhh Berry… She slumped 3 days ago and her corpse is still in her house. Posting this so we can get information on how to get her families,”
– reflected the shock and urgency fueling the outpouring of sympathy. Debbie Shokoya, another colleague, echoed the industry’s devastation and personal grief
Questions Around Her Death
At the time of the announcement, no official cause of death had been disclosed. The fact that Berry White’s body remained in her apartment for days before the public outcry prompted action has raised concerns about emergency response protocols and family communication within the Nollywood community
