Nine years after actress Yvonne Nelson criticised Ghanaian celebrities’ obsession with “slaying” on red carpets, fashion icon Nana Akua Addo has fired back, claiming the criticism was aimed at her and insisting that the very culture once ridiculed has become a thriving force for Ghana’s creative industry.
In an Instagram post shared on June 10, 2026, Nana Akua Addo reflected on comments Yvonne Nelson made in 2017, when the actress questioned the growing obsession with red carpet appearances among Ghanaian celebrities instead of promoting their work.
Referencing a July 24, 2017, publication by Modern Ghana with the headline, “Ghana celebrities only think of how to slay on red carpets,” Nana Akua Addo said the criticism at the time was directed at her and the efforts creatives invested in making fashion statements at events, which she said were framed as vanity, unnecessary attention-seeking, and misplaced priorities.
“Interesting how perspectives evolve. On July 24, 2017, criticism was directed at me, red carpet fashion, and the effort creatives invested in ‘slaying’ and making bold statements on the carpet. It was framed as vanity, unnecessary attention-seeking, and misplaced priorities,” Nana Akua Addo said.
The fashion entrepreneur noted that the same culture that was once criticised is now widely embraced, with celebrities arriving at events in luxury fashion, accompanied by glam teams, photographers, and carefully curated appearances.
“So, I ask: what changed?” she questioned.
According to Nana Akua Addo, her decision to stand out on red carpets was never solely about fashion but about creating opportunities for professionals within Ghana’s creative ecosystem.
“When I boldly chose to show up differently, I wasn’t just dressing up; I was creating visibility for Ghanaian fashion, stylists, designers, makeup artists, photographers, creative directors, glam teams, and the broader creative and tourism economy,” she stated.
She argued that she recognised early on that red carpet appearances could serve as a powerful tool for branding, storytelling, and economic growth.
“I understood, long before many did, that the red carpet was more than appearances; it was business, branding, storytelling, economic opportunity, and job creation for young creatives,” she noted.
Nana Akua Addo further questioned why such efforts were dismissed by her colleagues in the past but are now widely celebrated.
“Why was it dismissed then, only to be embraced now? Was it misunderstood? Was it easier to criticise someone else’s moment? Or perhaps the value simply wasn’t yet recognised,” she wrote.
Despite her concerns, she said she appreciates the evolution in attitudes towards fashion and creative expression, adding that Ghana’s red carpet culture could have gained greater global recognition if it had received collective support from the beginning.
“I walked so many could confidently run. Imagine how globally iconic Ghana’s red-carpet culture could have become if, instead of criticism, there had been collective support from the beginning,” she wrote.
Nana Akua Addo concluded her message by complimenting Yvonne Nelson and encouraging young creatives to remain committed to their craft.
“And yes, Yvonne, you looked beautiful. To the young creatives: stay inspired, believe in your craft, remain authentic, and dream boldly. Sometimes, the very thing people question today becomes the standard tomorrow,” the statement concluded.
Source: Ghanaweb