Toolz Shares Her Self-Esteem Story, Launches ‘Sablier’ For plus-size Women

Tolu Oniru-Demuren, widely known as ‘Toolz’, has one of the most popular voices on Nigerian airwaves. As a multi-award winning presenter, talk show host, and assistant director of programmes at Beat FM, she is already a media powerhouse. Not the least insecure about her figure, she has carved a niche for herself in the broadcast industry, while also serving as an inspiration for women all over world – especially curvy ladies.

With confidence and style that seem to flow from her scalp to her toenails, Toolz has consistently shared personal stories about her tough experiences before attaining her present height, a journey that has spurred her to educate and push others to find confidence and pride in themselves.

Since her return to Nigeria in 2009, Toolz has consistently dominated news headlines and social media trends, with conversations either covering her popular weekly radio show ‘Midday Show with Toolz’ or new photos on her social media pages –  generating controversy among critics about her body shape and size.

Based on her personal experience with body image and finding self-esteem, the media mogul and business woman has decided on a bold move – to launch an inspirational brand for plus-size women trying to make a statement. As a plus-size celebrity, she found her way to wide recognition and acceptance through creativity, resilience and boldness.

In Nigeria, plus-size ladies are psychologically ostracized and consistently attacked, becoming subject of discourse among health and well-being experts on how to change the perception about body weight. Growing into confident ‘self’, Toolz stands out due to her self-confidence and unshaken ambition.

This, more than anything, is the message she intends to share with the new brand – something to change the lives of plus-size women. A brand that truly defines, represents, and captures every curvy woman’s beauty in and out.

Below is a touching personal story she shared in relation to this.

“The journey to accepting my body hasn’t really been a smooth one. Growing up, I wasn’t particularly confident. As a plus-size and curvy girl, you tend to feel out of place – my body type wasn’t the hot thing back then. I just didn’t fit in. I became very self-conscious – I thought my hips were too wide… my bum was too big, and I was on the short side.

As a teenager, you are dealing with a lot, especially when it comes to self-identity and accepting yourself. And you often get confused about what beautiful is. My self-consciousness got so bad at one point that I had to cover up all the time. In the middle of summer, I would wear a light coat to cover up my hips, and people thought I was weird. Clothes shopping was a bit of nightmare, not to talk of shopping for lingerie. Most of the lingerie in plus sizes were quite unattractive; boring styles and colours with super thick straps. Sadly, inclusivity wasn’t such a big thing when I was growing up, you were basically stuck with what was available.

Later in life, I began to notice and research curvy/plus size models like Tabria Majors, Candice Huffine, Anita Marshall and Ashley Graham – her confidence is incredible! In an industry that is notoriously discriminating about anyone above a size 8, seeing this beautiful and curvy ladies flourish was magical. I was extremely inspired to say the least.

Being in the public eye also had a big impact on my ‘acceptance journey’. I have been bashed and shamed about my body on so many occasions, I can’t even count. The first few times it happened, I was very hurt, because there was always so much venom behind the attacks, and I would be at home in tears thinking what did I do to anyone to warrant this? Unfortunately, this comes with being in the public eye, and I soon managed to get thick skin.

On the positive side, as I got more popular I began getting messages from women who admired me for being one of a few plus size women in the public eye. I would get messages from young women who had contemplated suicide because they looked different, and they were being bullied for that. They would write and say how seeing pictures of me boosted their confidence – making them accept themselves and their bodies. These comments made me realize that my presence and visibility in the industry was having a positive impact on at least a few people. My experience strengthened me and gave me a voice – one which I have decided to use in empowering and boosting the confidence of plus-size women like me – those who are currently in a physical and psychological battle to accept their own bodies.

I am Tolu Oniru-Demuren. You probably call me ‘Toolz’.
Welcome to this journey with me.”