Nigerian singer Zlatan Ibile has voiced his irritation with the rising wave of online begging, where social media users relentlessly solicit financial help from celebrities while simultaneously criticizing them. In a recent interview, the artist aired his grievances about individuals who spend their days hopping between celebrity profiles, pleading for handouts.

Zlatan questioned the sincerity behind these requests, pondering whether they stem from genuine need or simply exploit celebrities’ goodwill. “I don’t get it—are they really struggling, or are they just preying on kindness?” he mused. He made it clear he’d rather support those who demonstrate hard work than dish out cash indiscriminately.

Recounting a personal experience, Zlatan explained how he once sought to assist someone in need but ruled out a woman who had previously trolled him online. “I’m not trying to be petty, but I see how people operate on the internet,” he said. “They’re online from morning to night, lurking under your posts, begging for giveaways. I was just thinking today—are they just bouncing from one celebrity to another? I can’t say too much, though, or they’ll remind me I was once in their shoes.”

He continued, “One day, I decided to help, but not just randomly. I checked people tweeting about their hustles—like if you’re a tailor, I’d expect to see your work on your page. There was this lady, so I looked her up, searched my name, and found she’d said something about me back in 2020. People told me to let it go, and it’s easy for them to talk—but I gave the money to someone else instead.”

Zlatan’s stance highlights his frustration with the entitlement and inconsistency he perceives in the online begging trend, favoring tangible effort over empty pleas.