Actor Melvin Alusa quits Salem TV series citing ‘toxic’ work conditions
Melvin Alusa is the latest actor to exit Maisha Magic’s telenovela Salem.
The multi-talented actor and commercial model who wears many hats has cited toxic working conditions as the reason he left the show.
“As you may be aware I have been on the Showmax /Maisha magic series Salem playing Melchizedek Karani for the past year.
However, I have now resigned from this position due to unacceptable work conditions,” he said in a post on his Instagram page.
Alusa further said that as a dedicated cast who has mastered his skills for close to two decades, he preserves and protects it jealously. He stated that he couldn’t bear the toxic work environment anymore.
“The bad leadership, emotional blackmail, gaslighting, manipulation, and health hazards, led to an environment that became impossible for me to perform my role as an actor, and to deliver powerful moments to the role and story as a whole,” he explained.
Alusa said that as a result of the mistreatment, he felt the need to leave with his dignity intact and his head held high.
“I am now requesting Salem production team to manage the welfare of their actors and crew, many of whom are suffering in silence,” he said.
Alusa joins Mumbi Maina who left the production in August 2022 and Illya Frank who recently announced her resignation.
Alusa will be replaced by Charles Ouda in his role as Melchizedek.
During the launch, Alusa who played the role of an absentee dad said he borrows from his personal life, of him being a father and the relationship he had with his dad growing up.
When asked how his relationship with his dad was, the popular actor paused for a moment and then said:
“I don’t want to talk about it. I do not want to expose my dad. I’m not ready to talk about it. However, I am grateful he played the role in the man I am.”
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