Nigerian chef Hilda Baci, famed for her Guinness World Record cookathon, issued a stark warning on social media about toxic friendships. “The worst kind of people to be friends with are people that are fame hungry, engagement hungry, money hungry and attention hungry,” she posted. “These people will launder your image without caring.”

The message spread rapidly across platforms Thursday, drawing thousands of reactions from fans and celebrities alike. Many praised Baci for her blunt take on relationships in the spotlight. One commenter wrote, “This is so real in this industry.” Others speculated the post stemmed from her own encounters since her 2023 cookathon success, where she cooked for 93 hours and 45 minutes in Lagos to claim the record for longest cooking marathon by an individual.

Baci, 27, has built a culinary empire since that feat. She runs Hilda Baci Kitchen in Port Harcourt and caters high-profile events across Nigeria. Her brand now spans food tours, online classes and product lines. Yet her rise has spotlighted the pitfalls of fame, she said.

Supporters flooded the comments with agreement. “Transactional friendships are everywhere online,” one user noted. Another added, “You just saved someone from a bad alliance, Hilda.” The post highlighted pressures in Nigeria’s influencer scene, where viral moments often fuel alliances more than loyalty.

Not everyone nodded along. Some followers asked if Baci targeted specific people. “Who hurt you, queen?” read one reply. Others defended attention-seekers, arguing ambition isn’t always sinister. Baci offered no reply, letting the words stand alone.

Her advice fits a pattern. Past posts urge followers to chase authenticity over trends. In May 2024, she shared tips on spotting fake supporters amid her growing fame. Industry watchers say rapid success like Baci’s alters circles fast. “When money and clout enter the mix, loyalty tests fail,” one Lagos entertainment analyst said.

The chef’s record-breaking stunt drew global eyes to Nigerian cuisine. She surpassed the prior mark by over 10 hours, cooking jollof rice, egusi soup and more for crowds. Guinness verified the achievement in June 2023 after review. Since then, Baci has hosted food festivals and partnered with brands like Pepsi.

Her warning resonates in Africa’s booming digital space. Nigeria has over 120 million social media users, per Statista 2024 data. Influencers with millions of followers often handle endorsement deals worth millions of naira. Baci herself boasts 1.2 million Instagram followers.

Fans see the post as a call for boundaries. “Not everyone cheering you wants your win,” one supporter posted. Discussions spilled into Twitter Spaces and TikTok threads by Friday, with #HildaBaciFriends trending in Lagos and Abuja. Blogs reposted her words, amplifying the conversation on integrity amid virality.

Baci’s candid style sets her apart. Unlike many stars who dodge controversy, she tackles mindset and growth head-on. Her message highlights a truth for public figures: image is everything, and the wrong allies can tarnish it overnight.