Regina Daniels: Yes, I had 20 boyfriends, but married Ned as a virgin

Regina Daniels: Yes, I had 20 boyfriends, but married Ned as a virgin (Photo: Courtesy)

Nigerian actress Regina Daniels recently clarified that she married her husband, Ned Nwoko, as a virgin, addressing backlash after her comments about past boyfriends. 

Daniels 24, who is married to the 63-year-old Nigerian politician and businessman, spoke out on her social media after critics responded to her statement about having "20 boyfriends" before marriage.

In a live session, Daniels explained that she had been independent before meeting Nwoko, with several men supporting her basic needs. “When I started with my husband, I even forgot I was supposed to have boyfriends because I had twenty boyfriends at that time, one to buy water and one to do other things," she said.

The actress clarified that despite people’s assumptions, her family had initially opposed her marriage to Nwoko. “When people think I didn’t have a choice and when people think mummy forced me, not knowing that mummy was against the marriage and my entire family said no but one day I will share our story,” she added.

After facing criticism for her “20 boyfriends” remark, Daniels took to Instagram on Wednesday to set the record straight, explaining that these relationships were not physical. 

“Hey everyone, I want to clarify that the ’20 boyfriends’ comment was meant to soothe my husband and educate young girls that having several male friends willing to do things for you doesn’t mean you owe them your body. And yes, I had many friends, but I promised to keep my virginity until marriage. And guess what? I did! It’s a big flex,” she stated.

Daniels, who became Nwoko's wife on May 26, 2019, in Aniocha Local Government Area, Delta State, has two sons with him. 

Reflecting on her public image, she added, “But hold on! What did you guys expect? It’s your little beautiful sweetheart, Regina Daniels. Of course, men and women would admire me. So everyone, please chill.”

In March 2024, Nwoko explained that he married Daniels because she was from his hometown. 

“For her particularly, I married her because she is from my place. I wanted to marry a wife from my place and was looking for the right person. When I met her, I knew she must be the one,” he said, adding that his family and traditional leaders had pressured him to marry locally. “Regina ticked all the boxes.”

Daniels, who rose to fame in Asaba Nollywood movies, became a prominent figure on social media and a youth campaign coordinator for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. 

She previously shared in a 2019 YouTube interview with Daddy Freeze that her connection with Nwoko included a mutual love for swimming.

Regina Daniels continues to address misconceptions about her relationship, maintaining that her choice to marry Nwoko was her own and that they share a deep bond