The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • The Man Died, the Weekend, Mai Martaba selected for Nollywood in Hollywood

    The Man Died, the Weekend, Mai Martaba selected for Nollywood in Hollywood

    Three Nigerian films have been selected for a showcase in Hollywood, California on February 28 and March 1, 2025.

    The selected films are THE MAN DIED, THE WEEKEND and MAI MARTABA.

    The films will showcase Nigerian stories and culture at the 2025 NOLLYWOOD IN HOLLYWOOD event holding at Hollywood’s most prestigious screening venue, 

    The Egyptian Theater and at Norris Theater on the campus of the world’s best film institution, the University of Southern California.

    “It has the potential to be a glorious weekend. Everything is set to make this the best showcase in our short history. You come to Nollywood In Hollywood and you can stay for the Oscars the next day! You can’t beat that,” says Unoma Ononye, the programs manager.

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    The event was founded in 2018 by Nigerian-American filmmaker, Ose Oyamendan, as a cultural diplomacy tool to enable the world see a different, better side of Nigeria through the exhibition of Nigerian films and talents.

    Through O2A Media Corp, his production shingle, Oyamendan partnered with one of America’s most revered film institutions, the American Cinematheque, and the world’s leading film institution, the University of Southern California, Los Angeles to give the entertainment capital of the world a taste of Nigeria.

    Since its inception, the event has showcased the works and talents of the best in the Nigerian film industry. Filmmakers whose works have screened at the showcase include Steve Gukas, Kunle Afoloyan, Jade Osiberu, Kemi Adetiba, Tope Oshin, Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, C J Obasi, Daniel Ademinokan, Desmond Ovbiagele and Akin Omotosho.

    Since inception, participating filmmakers have been able to advance their careers through the networking events and interactions with some of Hollywood’s top agencies, management companies, casting agents, networks and studios.

  • Actress Olayinka Solomon opens up about postpartum struggles

    Actress Olayinka Solomon opens up about postpartum struggles

    Actress Olayinka Solomon has shared the personal challenges she’s been facing since becoming a new mom.

    In a recent Instagram post, she revealed that she’s been struggling with increased irritability and memory loss. 

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    Solomon admitted that she finds herself getting angry over small things and often forgets conversations shortly after they occur.

    She reached out to fellow mothers, asking about their own postpartum experiences.

    “Postpartum mom. What changed after childbirth? Mine, I get angry over little things and memory loss; we can gist now, next minute, I don’t remember”, she wrote.

  • My wife is most googled person on planet earth – Kanye West

    My wife is most googled person on planet earth – Kanye West

    American rapper, Kanye West, has publicly embraced the controversy surrounding his wife Bianca Censori’s see-through outfit at the 2025 Grammys.

    Despite the backlash, West took to Instagram to proudly discuss the daring dress he designed, sharing Google search trends and analytics to highlight that Bianca was the most searched person wearing YZY Womens.

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    He wrote, “The most googled person wearing YZY Womens,” and in a separate post, claimed, “We beat the Grammys… my wife is the most googled person on the planet called Earth!”

    The outfit, a sheer mini dress made from delicate stocking material, sparked both praise and criticism. While some admired Bianca’s confidence, others deemed the outfit too revealing.

  • Rema to release new music Friday

    Rema to release new music Friday

    Afrobeats singer Rema is gearing up to release his first single of 2025, titled “Baby (Is It a Crime),” on Friday, February 7, 2025.

    This announcement comes on the heels of his appearance at the 67th Grammys, where he was nominated for Best Global Album.

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    The song samples Sade’s iconic track “Is It a Crime” from her 1985 album “Promise.” Rema’s version is expected to blend his signature Afrobeats style with Sade’s soulful melody. 

    “Baby (Is It a Crime)” marks Rema’s first release since his sophomore album “HEIS” in 2024.

    The album was a tribute to Nigerian music’s rich history and encouraged the industry to look inward for inspiration.

  • Ayra Starr set to release first single of 2025

    Ayra Starr set to release first single of 2025

    Singer Ayra Starr is kicking off 2025 with a brand-new single, “All The Love,” set to drop on February 11, a few days before Valentine’s Day.

    The song, which she previewed on social media, blends R&B and Afrobeats elements, showcasing her captivating vocals.

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    Following a successful 2024, where she released her acclaimed sophomore album, “The Year I Turned 21,” Ayra Starr is determined to continue her momentum.

    The album featured collaborations with notable artists like Asake, Seyi Vibez, Coco Jones, Giveon, and Aniita.

  • Actress Lolo 1 raises alarm over disturbing social media trend

    Actress Lolo 1 raises alarm over disturbing social media trend

    Movie star Omotunde Adebowale aka Lolo 1 has expressed her deep concern over a disturbing social media trend involving young people, calling for parental involvement in their children’s online activities.

    In a heartfelt video, Lolo 1 shared her dismay after watching a video on TikTok where a young boy solicited girls to expose themselves on camera, with multiple girls complying.

    She described the trend as a “challenge” and questioned the nature of such content being shared and viewed openly.

    Lolo’s concerns extended beyond the immediate act, connecting it to the broader issue of violence against women.

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    She emphasised the need for parents and caregivers to take responsibility for their children’s online activities.

    “I am not happy today at all. I saw a video on TikTok where a young boy in a dingy place asked girls to flash their breasts on TikTok, and I saw different girls doing it. Not one, not two, not three girls flashing their naked breasts on TikTok and people are watching. It made me wonder what was happening and I was told it was a challenge.

    “What do we need to happen? We’re already seeing girls getting raped and killed every day, assaulted and abused, and yet our young children aren’t having sense enough to stay modest.

    “You dare to flash your breasts to thousands of people on TikTok, even if they were paying you. We need to stop this! Where are our parents and caregivers? We thought we had seen everything with Gen Z! But what this Gen Alpha would do? As a mother, I am unhappy because I saw it with my two eyes! This has to stop”, she said.

  • Yul Edochie condemns alleged hypocrisy among “born-again” Christians

    Yul Edochie condemns alleged hypocrisy among “born-again” Christians

    Actor Yul Edochie has criticised people who claim to be born-again Christians but fail to reflect true change in their behaviour.

    In a post on his Instagram page, Edochie argued that being born again goes beyond outward appearances, such as changing one’s style of dress or quitting certain habits. 

    He stressed that true transformation comes from the heart and should be evident in love, respect, and kindness toward others.

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    According to him, God is more concerned with how people treat one another than with their external appearance. 

    He urged self-proclaimed born-again Christians to examine their actions and ensure they align with the core principles of Christianity.

    He wrote: “Some people will tell you they are now born again. They stop wearing flashy clothes, stop wearing makeup, quit drinking and smoking, but the wickedness in their hearts remain untouched.

    “Stop deceiving yourself, God is not interested in your style of dressing or all that, he’s interested in how you treat your fellow human beings.

    “Being born again means living a Christian life, and living a Christian life means treating others with love and respect, same way you would want them to treat you.”

  • JUST IN: Nollywood actress Pat Ugwu dies at 35

    JUST IN: Nollywood actress Pat Ugwu dies at 35

    Nollywood actress Pat Ugwu is dead.

    She was aged 35.

    A colleague, Emeka Okoye, announced the development in an Instagram post on Wednesday along with a funeral poster detailing her funeral arrangements.

    Pat had lost her father in 2021 and will be buried on February 7, 2025.

    Announcing her death, Emeka wrote: Read more: “Rest in peace sis. Pat Ugwu. @patpat_ugwu so we no get to work again? Death whyooo? God, please. Rest in peace PAT. May your soul rest in the bosom of the Lord,” Emeka wrote, expressing his grief.

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    “God please protect all my colleagues especially those am close to. This unusual Death is frightening. I proclaim life to everyone close to me this 2025 in the precious blood of Jesus. Amen.”

    Several Nollywood stars, including Rita Edochie, Destiny Etiko, Nkechi Blessing and Kevin Mike, also reacted to the tragic news.

    Destiny Etiko wrote in the comment section, “Jesus noooooo.”

    Mike wrote on Instagram, “Chai, just woke up this morning to hear the death of one of our crew and casts @patpat_ugwu. Rest in peace, dear.”

  • Feature me if you want a Grammy award, Portable tells artists

    Feature me if you want a Grammy award, Portable tells artists

    Singer Portable has declared that any artist who features him will automatically win a Grammy Award.

    Portable’s claim came on the heels of Tems’ historic win at the 67th Grammy Awards, where she made history by becoming the first Nigerian female artist to win the prestigious award.

    According to him, if he hadn’t been “neglected” by the music industry, he would have already won a Grammy Award.

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    He went on to say that featuring him is a guaranteed ticket to Grammy success, and that any artist who collaborates with him will inevitably win the coveted award.

    He partly said: “Olamide picked me and I came out from nowhere, nobody rise me, God is my pioneer, I’m telling if not that you neglected me I would have won Grammy, feature me if you want to collect Grammy, drop verse for me I get chorus, ordinary woman collected the Grammy from you people.”

    Sharing a video of his claim, he wrote: “Failure is not an option for me I don’t have backup I am the backup that’s why am working hard I believe in my phone and sub any disappointment is a blessing”

  • I’m a winner, I’ve always counted myself in, says Yemi Alade

    I’m a winner, I’ve always counted myself in, says Yemi Alade

    Superstar singer, Yemi Alade, is basking in the glory of her recent Grammy nomination, attributing her success to her unwavering resilience.

    After over a decade in the industry, Yemi Alade earned a nomination for the 67th Grammys, shortlisted for the Best African Music Performance prize alongside other Nigerian superstars.

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    In a celebratory post, Yemi Alade expressed her gratitude, saying, “I’m a winner. I’m here because I didn’t stop believing, and even when doubt and nay-sayers counted me out, I always counted myself in and surrounded myself with uplifters and truth tellers(not yes men).

    “Na who stop, e go stop for” don’t stop dreaming, nobody knows tomorrow. Thank you to my Grammy Glam Team”.

    Since her breakout hit “Johnny” in 2013, she has become one of Nigeria’s most impressive performers and a driving force behind collaborations between African stars.