Phyna reacts as Ilebaye reveals she got full BBN prize money

Winner of Big Brother Naija Season 7, Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has responded to the recent revelation by Ilebaye, the Season 8 winner, that she received her prize money in full.

Ilebaye’s revelation came just after Phyna had publicly called out the organizers for withholding some of her prizes.

Phyna, who took to her social media handle to react, insinuated that Ilebaye broke the gender code by announcing that she got her full prize money.

She also stressed that she would continue to demand her balance, stating that she worked hard for the money during the show’s 72-day duration.

On her X handle, Phyna wrote: “Them girls take a chill pill. I’m happy y’all got your money in full according to you, seems I’m being cheated on then. Women supporting women in the mud.

“I believe I should at least get what I worked so hard for 72 days. Y’all suddenly remembered your alert screenshots and IG Live………… Common……one among others is 1BTC which is over 80m in today’s market.

“To those who got their money in fullI’m happy for you. As poor man pikin, make I ask for my money and things wey remain…..”

Actress Etinosa speaks on contracting infections from ex-hubby

Nollywood actress, Etinosa Idemudia has shared her opinion about marriage.

According to her, in marriage, couples share everything, including sexually transmitted diseases.

Speaking from experience, the movie star recalled how her estranged husband transmitted infections to her several times during their marriage.

On her X handle, she wrote, “When I was married of course I received infection from time to time. But that’s marriage for you. Marriage is about sharing. You share everything… including infection.”

In an interview with Chude Jideonwo in 2023, Etinosa revealed that she got married at 22 and suffered brutal domestic violence from her ex-husband to the extent she almost lost her life.

She said she indulged in illicit substances as an escapism from her cheating and abusive husband.

The actress said she eventually left the marriage after her ceaseless praying and fasting didn’t change her husband.

Olamide has helped me more than my mother – Bella Shmurda

Singer Bella Shmurda has harped on the contributions of ace rapper and YBNL Nation boss, Olamide to his musical career.

Speaking in the latest episode of the London 90 podcast, Shmurda said if he was asked who helped him in life, he would mention Olamide before his mother.

“If my children ask me who helped me, I’ll mention Olamide first before I mention my mother,” he said.

Shmurda noted that Olamide is the only African artist of international acclaim that still supports African award shows.

“Olamide is the only top artiste that is successful internationally and still supporting African music awards.

“Others won’t want to come for Headies Award but they can spend millions to go to the Grammys,” Shmurda said.

Bella Shmurda gained prominence after he featured Olamide on the remix of his song ‘Vision 2020’ which became a hit.

Rapper Latto announces she’s ready to have a baby

American hip-hop star, Latto has expressed her readiness to have a baby.

The 25-year-old Grammy-nominated rapper announced this on her Instagram page recently.“@bae I’m ready to have a baby!” she wrote.

Latto disclosed in an interview with Cosmopolitan Magazine last year that she was in a long-term relationship.

The rapper, who didn’t reveal the identity of her partner, said they have been together since they were teenagers.

I have never been arrested – Singer Davido debunks rumour

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, aka Davido, has debunked rumours that he was arrested in East Africa where he was on tour on April 1, 2024.

Some sections of the media reported on Monday that the singer was arrested.

However, reacting in a statement released via his X handle on Tuesday, Davido explained that contrary to the reports, he wasn’t arrested, stressing that he had a successful tour in Uganda and Kenya and has now returned to Nigeria.

He noted that he has never been arrested for any crime throughout his career.

The singer vowed to take legal action against the fabricators of the rumours.

“I find the fabrication of allegations of such international crimes extremely irresponsible regardless of the light of ‘April Fools’, and my lawyer is seeking legal recourse against the media parties responsible for generating this misinformation,” the statement read partly.

Taylor Swift joins world’s richest on billionaire list

Taylor Swift has joined Elon Musk as ranking among the world’s wealthiest people, according to a new rich list.

The American pop star entered the Forbes World’s Billionaires List for the first time with $1.1bn (£877m), along with Sam Altman, creator of the AI chatbot ChatGPT on $1bn (£800m).

LVMH French luxury goods titan Bernard Arnault and his family topped the chart with an estimated $233bn (£185bn).

Forbes said there were a record 2,781 billionaires for 2024.

The figure is 141 more than last year and 26 more than the previous record set in 2021. Forbes added the elite were richer than ever – with a collective wealth of $14.2tn (£11.3tn).

Singer-songwriter Swift entered the rich list after achieving megastar status. She stole the show at this year’s Grammy Awards, becoming the first performer to win the prize for album of the year four times.

Her album 1989 (Taylor’s Version) was also the best-selling vinyl LP of last year.

Swift’s success is not just confined to the world of music. Her mere presence at American football games to watch her boyfriend Travis Kelce has been credited with raising NFL viewing figures.

When it comes to the top 10 richest people on the planet, eight listed were from the US – six of whom had made their money in technology industries.

After Frenchman Mr Arnault and his family, Mr Musk, the owner of Tesla and X, formerly Twitter, is listed second, with an estimated net worth of $195bn (£155bn).

He is followed in third by Amazon owner Jeff Bezos.

Mr Musk’s riches are up 8% from last year but down on his net worth in November 2021, when he became the first person ever to be worth $300bn (£239bn).

Also joining Forbes’s list is basketball legend Magic Johnson with wealth of $1.2bn (£950m) and TV producer Dick Wolf, behind the US Law and Order and Chicago PD series, also on $1.2bn.

Chase Peterson-Withorn, senior editor on wealth for Forbes, said it had been an “amazing” year for the world’s richest people.

“A record-breaking 14 centi-billionaires have 12-figure fortunes. Even during times of financial uncertainty for many, the super-rich continue to thrive,” he added.

Forbes said the class of billionaires for 2024 were 255% richer than a decade ago, now worth $2tn (£1.59tn) in all, meaning just 0.5% of the world’s 2,781 billionaires hold 14% of all billionaire wealth.

Geographically, the US still has more billionaires than any other country, with a record 813 on the list. China remains second, followed by India.

In the UK, hedge fund manager Michael Platt is the richest person, followed by part-owner of Manchester United Sir Jim Ratcliffe and inventor Sir James Dyson.

Forbes said 189 people had fallen off the list including 129 from mainland China, where weak consumer spending and a collapse in the real estate market wiped billions off portfolios.

Another 32 billionaires died, including Egyptian tycoon Mohamed Al-Fayed, former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, former Chilean President Sebastián Piñera and Margaritaville singer Jimmy Buffett.

Burna Boy is bigger than Wizkid, Davido – Terry G

Singer Terry G has claimed Burna Boy is a bigger artist than Wizkid and Davido.

According to him, Davido is the only “king” in Africa.

He added that Africans can’t relate with Wizkid’s songs because of his style of music, while Burna Boy on the other hand, he said is huge both in “Africa and international.”

The ‘Akpako Master’ featured as a guest in the latest episode of The Honest Bunch Podcast co-hosted by actor Chinedu Ani Emmanuel, aka Nedu, Husband Material, and Toun Cole.

Speaking in Pidgin, Terry G said, “The Wizkid vs Davido debate, to me is lame. Davido is the king of Africa. He have African audience.

“He sing unapologetic African music. But Wizkid’s mindset is targeted at crossover. His music no dey too relate to us [Africans]. Burna Boy na im get Africa and International. His is their king. Burna pass two of them.”

Singer Duncan Mighty reveals he’s an ex- militant

Nigerian singer, Duncan Mighty has revealed that he was involved in the Niger Delta crisis.

According to him, God saved his life several times when he was involved in militancy.

Speaking in a recent interview with 3Music, Accra Ghana, Duncan Mighty said, “I was involved in the Niger Delta crisis.

“God has saved my life severally. I am a Port Harcourt boy. I am not from Lagos. I come from the South South, from the war zone before the amnesty.

“I have been involved with a lot of community activities that had to do with protecting of our people, oil.

“But when fame came, nobody know I am that boy who was in the creeks back in the days.”

He also revealed that he was a drummer in the church before switching to secular music.

“I was the first drummer for Christ Embassy in Port Harcourt,” he said.

Elon Musk joins Disney as Chief Diversity Officer

Billionaire businessman Elon Musk has been appointed as the new Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer of American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate, The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney.

The Tesla boss announced this via his X handle on Monday.

He expressed anticipation to work with the Disney team to redefine their content.

An elated Musk tweeted, “Excited to join @Disney as their Chief DEI Officer.

“Can’t wait to work with Bob Iger & Kathleen Kennedy to make their content MORE woke! Even the linguini.”

Walt Disney is one of the world’s leading producers and providers of entertainment and information.

Comedian AY addresses rumour of having child out of wedlock

Popular comedian and filmmaker, Ayo Makun, a.k.a. AY, has finally addressed the rumors that he had a child out of wedlock.

AY sparked reactions after he celebrated the birthday of a 17-year-old boy he referred to as “son” on Instagram.

The comedian has now clarified that the boy isn’t his biological son but his younger sister’s.

Speaking at the Easter edition of his show, AY Live, the comic star explained that his sister’s son is also his son.

He said, “I want to tell you guys how social media works. Sometimes, there is always a narrative that goes on and people just follow it without any form of investigation. When I posted my son on Instagram, I received all kinds of insults. They said, ‘Useless man, he don born 17-year-old for outside. This and that.’

“Ladies and gentlemen, the son that I posted on Instagram… your sister’s son is also your son. Na my younger sister born am.”

BNXN calls out Wizkid for hoarding collaborations with young artists

Nigerian singer, Daniel Benson, popularly known as BNXN, has called out his Grammy-winning colleague, Wizkid for hoarding collaborations with young artists.

The ‘Finesse’ crooner lamented that the Starboy boss collaborates with young artists year in, year out but none of the songs ever made it out of the studio.

On his Snapchat page, he wrote: “Every year, n*ggas post pictures and videos with Wiz [Wizkid] in the studio but the songs never ever comes out. Not even a leak lol. And for years too. Why?”

Teni, Blaqbonez, Shallipopi, Rema, Fireboy, Odumodublvck and Bella Shmurda are some of the artistes who have been spotted with Wizkid in the studio in the past but they are yet to release a song with him.

American actor Chance Perdomo dies in motorcycle accident

British-American actor Chance Perdomo has died in a solo-motorcycle accident.

The 27-year-old actor’s death was announced in a statement by his representative on Saturday.

However, the rep did not disclose the location or date of the accident.

“We ask to please respect the family’s wish for privacy as they mourn the loss of their beloved son and brother,” the statement added.

Perdomo was best known for his roles on the television shows Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Gen V.

Meanwhile, production on the second season of Gen V, which was expected to begin principal photography in April, has been indefinitely delayed following his death.

I get attacked if I don’t sleep with Gospel music – Saweetie

American R&B star Saweetie has shared that she is battling spiritual attacks.

According to the 30-year-old, she gets attacked by “evil forces” if she sleeps without Gospel music.

She disclosed this in a candid interview with Big Boy TV.

She said, “I don’t know how I was set up to be this involved with the spiritual world. The apartment I grew up with, had a lot of paranormal activities. If I am sleeping next to anyone, then I have to play Gospel music otherwise I will get attacked by evil forces. It still happening till this day.

“I get sleep paralysis every time if I don’t play Gospel music. It’s like, I’m dreaming and someone is sitting on top of me. I can’t move or talk. I feel I became more spiritually strong when I started to meditate more.”

Time heals all wounds – Caroline Danjuma, Toyin Lawani settle their rift

Nollywood actress, Caroline Danjuma and celebrity stylist, Toyin Lawani, appeared to have finally settled their two-year-old rift.

The duo were engaged in a public spat in 2022 after Lawani accused Danjuma of having an affair with her ex-husband and ruining her marriage, which the actress blatantly denied.

However, in a turn of recent events, Danjuma has apologised to Lawani, noting that time heals all wounds.

In a lengthy Instagram post, she wrote: “They say time heals all wounds .. two great lionesses fought and the grass suffered.

“Life is a journey and it comes with great experiences .. through this journey, I have learned that in the moment of conflict, you must learn to be calm, listen to your intuition, pray over it, and most importantly, speak to the person you are in disagreement with without letting side snags to sip in.

“In the spirit of Christ’s resurrection and the love he has for us, here is wishing my dearest fashion Gurù aka atm @tiannahsplacempire a splendid and prosperous new year, full of love, laughter, sunshine, good health, grace, and favor.”

Reacting via the comment section, Toyin Lawani noted how Caroline reached out to her when she lost her pregnancy.

She praised Caroline for her maturity, as she noted how when a friendship is true and they go through rough moments, they will always find their way back to one another.

Stop burning shrines, deities not evil – Yul Edochie tells Nigerians

Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has called on Nigerians to embrace tradition and culture so as to be free from slavery.

The actor, who recently opened an online Church, took to his Instagram page @yuledochie to give the advice.

He charged Nigerians to refrain from burning deities, stressing that they are not evil.

“Deities are not evil; Nigerians should desist from burning shrines and traditional deities.

“It was the white man that convinced people to believe their traditions are evil; the ploy was to make us abandon our ways and embrace theirs so as to make slavery easy.

“Nigerians need to wake up and start embracing their traditions and culture; many deities acknowledge God Almighty.

“Burning them could bring perpetual trouble. If you don’t understand something, leave it. If it is not disturbing you, don’t disturb it,” he said.

The actor’s advice has triggered a backlash as Nigerians have taken to social media, urging him to stick to one religion.

@sochi_infiniti wrote: “I am forced to ask at this point. Where are you? Where do you belong?”

“Bobbyhandleson wrote: “Church no work baba wan go babalawo way.”@doreen.cindy wrote: “We predicted well, you are soon launching shrine.”

The Nollywood actor unveiled his Christian ministry – ‘True Salvation Ministry’ – an online Church, in January.

The 42-year-old actor made the announcement on his official Facebook page, where he revealed that the ministry’s activities would be held on Sundays on his YouTube Channels.

“It’s time to answer the call of God Almighty. It’s time to do His work fully. To spread the true message of God. Tune in and be transformed,” he wrote then.

Lizzo announces departure from music industry for ‘being dragged’ over her looks

Grammy award-winning artiste Lizzo has announced her retirement from music following online harassment and accusations of sexual harassment.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Lizzo stated that she was tired of being mocked because of her looks and did not sign up for such treatment.

“I’m getting tired of putting up with being dragged by everyone in my life and on the internet. All I want is to make music, make people happy, and help the world be a little better than I found it.

“But I’m starting to feel like the world doesn’t want me in it. I’m constantly up against lies being told about me for clout and views… being the butt of the joke every single time because of how I look… my character being picked apart by people who don’t know me, and disrespecting my name. I didn’t sign up for this shit. I QUIT,” Lizzo wrote.

In May last year, Lizzo locked her Twitter account and hinted at leaving the music industry due to body-shaming comments, questioning her diet choices and brand representation.

Responding to the negativity, she shared an Instagram post from her concert, holding a sign declaring solidarity with those affected by online negativity.

Expressing frustration, she emphasised the challenges faced by individuals regarding body acceptance in a world of cyberbullying.

Despite ongoing scrutiny, The artiste has achieved remarkable success, earning four Grammy awards and an Emmy for her work.

However, amidst her achievements, she faced legal battles, including accusations of sexual harassment, racial discrimination, and fostering a toxic workplace environment from former dancers and a clothing stylist.

Popular Actor Louis Gozett Jr, dies at 87

American actor Louis Gosset Jr, known for his supporting role in the Oscar-winning movie “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982), dies at 87.

The Associated Press reported that Gossett’s first cousin Neal L. Gossett confirmed the death of the actor, saying he died in Santa Monica, California. The cause of the death hasn’t been confirmed.

Upon winning the 1983 Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, Gozett made history as the first black performer to achieve such recognition in that category.

He joined Hattie McDaniel and Sidney Poitier as black actors to secure an Academy Award.

Gossett, born on May 27, 1936, distinguished himself as a versatile American actor, originating from Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York City.

He stepped onto the stage for the first time at 17, and shortly after, his talent shone through as he secured a role in the Broadway production Take a Giant Step.

Gossett’s career flourished as he graced the stage in a series of plays, including A Raisin in the Sun (1959), The Blacks (1961), Tambourines to Glory (1963), and The Zulu and the Zayda (1965).

In 1977, he captivated audiences with his portrayal in the renowned miniseries Roots, garnering him the prestigious Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series at the Emmy Awards.

Anne Hathaway had miscarriage while acting as pregnant woman

Anne Hathaway has opened up about suffering a miscarriage in 2015 while acting as a pregnant woman in a play.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, the actress, 41, said her first pregnancy “didn’t work out”, adding: “I was doing a play and I had to give birth on stage every night.

“Hathaway, who has since had two sons, says that during the six-week show, she “pretended everything was fine”.

But she says she told her friends the truth when they visited her backstage.

“It was too much to keep it in,” she said.

Hathaway played a pilot who falls pregnant in the one-woman off-Broadway show Grounded, which ran for six weeks in 2015.

The performance required her to act out going through childbirth every night.It was during this time that Hathaway experienced a miscarriage.

The Devil Wears Prada star went on to welcome her first son, Jonathan, with husband Adam Shulman in March 2016.

In an Instagram post in July 2019, Hathaway announced she was pregnant again. But she also used the post to indicate her fertility struggles.

“It’s not for a movie,” she wrote, alongside a photo of her baby bump. “All kidding aside, for everyone going through infertility and conception hell, please know it was not a straight line to either of my pregnancies. Sending you extra love.”

In the interview, Hathaway explained her reasoning for writing that post.

“Given the pain I felt while trying to get pregnant,” she said, “it would’ve felt disingenuous to post something all the way happy when I know the story is much more nuanced than that for everyone.

“She added she “wasn’t going to feel ashamed” of something that seemed “statistically to actually be quite normal”.

After suffering her miscarriage, Hathaway said she was stunned to find out how common miscarriages are. She also found out that many of her friends had had similar experiences.

“I thought, where is this information? Why are we feeling so unnecessarily isolated? That’s where we take on damage. So I decided that I was going to talk about it.

“She said that for years after her Instagram post, women would regularly come up to her in tears.

“And I would just hold her, because she was carrying this [pain] around and suddenly it wasn’t all hers anymore.

“The couple’s second son, Jack, was born in November 2019.

“When it did go well for me, having been on the other side of it, where you have to have the grace to be happy for someone, I wanted to let my sisters know, ‘You don’t have to always be graceful,'” she said.”

‘I see you and I’ve been you.'”

Homeland security searches rapper Diddy’s LA, Miami residences

American rapper Sean Diddy Combs’ houses in LA and Miami have been raided by securities regarding a sex trafficking investigation.

According to TMZ, a representative for Homeland Security Investigations said “Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners.’’

According to the Associated Press, there was a police presence around Diddy’s Los Angeles residence located in the upscale Holmby Hills neighborhood near Beverly Hills.

Helicopter footage from KABC-TV revealed Homeland Security Investigations agents wearing vests gathered in the backyard near the pool area.

A command post was established outside the house, and agents were observed entering and exiting the premises for several hours as the search continued.

Diddy has been accused of sexual abuses in the past.

Cassandra Ventura had filed a law suit in November 2023, accusing Diddy of plying her with drugs and alcohol, forcing her to have sex with male prostitutes, and raping and beating her shortly after meeting her in 2005 until 2018.

Later in the same November, according to NBC, a woman named Joie Dickerson-Neal filed a suit against Combs alleging the music mogul drugged her, sexually assaulted her and recorded the assault without her knowledge when she was a college student in 1991.

In Febuary, Combs was enmeshed in a new legal battle as his former producer accused him of pressuring him, Meek Mill, and other artists into having gay sex with him in exchange for Grammy nominations and awards.

AMVCA fixes awards ceremony for May 11

Africa Magic, in collaboration with Multichoice, has announced the nominees for the tenth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

The ceremony is scheduled to hold on May 11 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos State.

The nominees for this year’s Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards were announced via Africa Magic’s official Instagram handle.

The AMVCA is an annual award ceremony that recognizes and celebrates remarkable achievements in film and television.

The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards also announced a change in the selection process for the Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress categories.

Unlike previous years, where the winners were determined through public votes, this year, the winners in these categories will be chosen by a jury.

This year’s awards edition is heating up with some major contenders. Mami Wata, Jagun Jagun, Over the Bridge, A Tribe Called Judah, and The Black Book are all in the running for top honours.