The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Tina Turner loses U.S. Citizenship

    Tina Turner loses U.S. Citizenship

    IT has been revealed that legendary singer, Tina Turner, is cutting ties with the U.S. The R&B belter and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, who was born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennesee, was said to have gone to the U.S. embassy in Bern, Switzerland, October 24, to sign a “Statement of Voluntary Relinquishment of U.S. Citizenship under Section 349 (a)(1) of the INA (Immigration and Naturalisation Act),” according to reports.

    Turner, 74, has lived in Switzerland for almost 20 years and, in July, she was reported to have married Erwin Bach, a German music producer she began dating in 1986.

    According to reports, Turner’s plans to receive a Swiss passport were announced in January. In April, she passed the mandatory citizenship test that quizzed her on Swiss history and the German language. She became a Swiss citizen April 22.

    Turner told German newspaper Blick that she considers Switzerland home. “I’m very happy in Switzerland and I feel at home here. I cannot imagine a better place to live,” she said.

    According to the U.S. embassy in Bern’s activity report, Turner said she did not have plans to live in the U.S. in the future and her family was her only strong tie to her native country.

    Turner is not renouncing her U.S. citizenship, though, other reports clarify. The “relinquishment” statement means that she received the “Swiss citizenship with the intent to lose her U.S. citizenship.”

    Anna Mae Bullock

  • Chioma Chukwuka speaks on marital success

    Chioma Chukwuka speaks on marital success

    MANY people wonder how actress Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha has been able to sustain her marriage after being married for over a decade, while those who married after her have had broken marriages.

    Sharing her experience, Chioma stated, “I don’t think there’s any marriage that does not have challenges except the one of Jesus and the Church.” The actress said further that her husband doesn’t get jealous, “though he sometimes complains about my non-availability at home. But I just try and manage the situation as much as I can.”

  • Lydia Forson relives spat with angry abuser

    Lydia Forson relives spat with angry abuser

    IN what turned out to be a road rage saga, Ghanaian actress Lydia Forson has confessed to nearly stabbing an abusive stranger. She says the stranger crossed her recklessly with a motor bike, a situation that almost resulted in a crash.

    The stranger, who suddenly became a frenetic abusive stalker, according to Lydia, threatened to assault her in the open amidst a deluge of insults.

    “And when he sees I’m ignoring him he rushes up to me and threatens to beat me.” The Fanti woman said that “I was tempted to reach into my bag for my knife and stab him. But then I refused to allow this man drag me down into his obviously unhappy life,” Lydia wrote on her Facebook wall.

    The actress narrates how on getting to her destination, he jumps off the bike to confront her, calling her a prostitute. “It takes all the energy in me to stay calm. And I ask, what do these insults have to do with what just happened? And if anything I should be upset he nearly caused an accident. For five minutes he continued to insult me with the same ‘prostitute, you will never marry’.

    “I was tempted to do a lot of crazy things within the 20 mins this went on but something just kept telling me that this guy just wanted to provoke me. I allowed him do this and after a while, drove off,” she recounts.

  • AFRIFF 2013: of film business and leisure resort

    AFRIFF 2013: of film business and leisure resort

    THE much publicised 3rd edition of African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) rounded off with a lavish closing ceremony and awards gala at the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, Calabar, Cross River State. The week-long event, a gathering of filmmakers and relevant stakeholders, had participants networking on prospective projects and a series of brainstorming sessions on the future of the African cinema.

    It is noted widely that Hollywood of America and Bollywood of India have sold a cinema culture to the world that have put them on top chart of the creative ladder, but no single film industry in Africa has succeeded in penetrating the world market with a competitive edge. There had been concerted effort by Africans to pull the string in this order, starting with notable film fests like the biennial Pan African Film Festival (FESPACO) in Ouagadougou, the rested Sithengi Film Festival in Cape Town, South Africa and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), a South African event that enjoys affiliation with the Berlin International Film Festival of Germany.

    AFRIFF, like these older initiatives, is Nigeria’s flagship and most popular Nigerian domiciled film festival that appears to be popularising the tourism potentials of the country. As a travelling festival, and within the three years that it has existed, foreign delegates have been made to see Port Harcourt, Lagos and Calabar respectively.

    This year’s venue appears to be relevant in a unique way, owing to the popular Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort that sits one of the most prospective studios in Africa and also houses the recently launched EbonyLive TV.

    Chioma Ude, Founder and Executive Director of AFRIFF, captured the mood of Tinapa to delight her guests: “It is currently the biggest free-trade zone in West Africa with an array of leisure facilities like The Tinapa Lakeside Hotel; an 8-Screen digital cinema; international standard restaurants serving both African and Western cuisines; a night club; pubs; a game arcade and a mini amphitheatre. There is also an artificial tidal lake that feeds from the Calabar River, which itself flows into the Atlantic Ocean. There is a water park comprising a collection of children and adult size pools, water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river as well as a bar and restaurant; and a movie production studio commonly called ‘Studio Tinapa’, currently the most modern film production studio in Nigeria.”

    The foreign delegates apparently got curious and thought to explore Tinapa. Thus, many were found making expedition as they embarked on their early morning workout.

     

    Between Tinapa and The Marina, another resort centre in town, which houses the popular Filmhouse, the busy traffic of film enthusiasts portrayed what many described as a visible success of a festival which is only three years old.

    Wife of the governor of Cross River State, Mrs. Obioma Imoke, who welcomed the delegates after a dazzling red carpet show last Sunday, expressed delight at seeing the local and visiting artistes. “I’m excited to be here and we are most honoured to host this event,” said Mrs Imoke, who apologised for her husband’s absence.

    Governor Liyel Imoke, she noted, had led the victorious Golden Eaglets to a national reception in Abuja.

    “You haven’t been to Nigeria if you haven’t been to Calabar,” an elated Mrs Imoke told her guests during the cocktail reception that preceded the screening of the festival’s opening movie, Of Good Report. “Here is the place to be, really,” she stated with emphasis, beaming with smiles. “Please get something to eat because we are known for our cuisines and I want to assure you we are going to have a blast. Cross River is the home of Tinapa, Obudu, and the 32-day long festival which climaxes with our famous Carnival Calabar. Please have fun.”

    That said, the mood was set for real business of filmmaking, devoid of the usual political intrusions associated with government-sponsored events.

    If there was a best way to start a film festival, the choice of an opening film remains a factor. And AFRIFF appeared to have chosen right by screening the controversial Of Good Report, which was banned initially in its country of origin, for what the censorship board described as its marks of child pornography. Thus, the debate started among filmmakers at the event on where to draw the line between classification and an outright ban of a work of art.

    The movie, which has been to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), among others, sharply divided opinions because of its theme, graphic nature and sexually explicit scenes. Of Good Report revolves round a teacher who has an immoral relationship with his 16-year-old female student, puts her in the family way and procures an illegal abortion for her to cover his tracks.

    The event which also focuses on panel discussions, workshops and master classes has over 40 actors, directors and producers from other countries, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Rome, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Cameroun.

    The foreign artistes were joined by a flurry of Nollywood stars in adding verve to the event. The list included Rita Dominic and Lynn Withfield as ambassadors. Others were Desmond Elliot, Kunle Afolayan, Omoni Oboli, Kate Henshaw, Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki), Uche Jombo, Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha, Bharia Mcwizu, Kemi Lala-Akindoju and OC Ukeje.

    There were also Nigerian actors and producers based in the Diaspora at the event. They included Jude Idada, Gbenga Akinnagbe and model and actor, Ngoli Ngor Onyeka Okafor.

    AFRIFF, like its counterparts in FESPACO and DIFF, recorded a remarkable celebration of the African cinema as a number of outstanding movies were screened at Filmhouse cinemas. There was an abundance of feature films, documentaries, short films and student shorts in the festival.

    Some of the films in competition at the festival were, I Number Number, Hoodrush, Daughters of the Niger Delta, Clouds over Conakry, B for Boy, Hillside Crowd, Drama Consult, Thousand Suns and The Man Who Wanted to Move a Mountain. Others were A Mile from Home,The Virgin, the Copts and Me, Africa Shafted, The Flower Girl, Durban Poison and Creation in Exile.

    If there is a remarkable recreation that filmmakers have shared in recent times, the daily AFRIFF after-event party would be a feat to remember in a long while. The AFRIFF Village Hangout at dusk offered free drinks and finger foods amidst trendy music from an in-house Disc Jockey. The level of grooving by the artistes can simply be described as wow!

  • Glo Laffta Fest paints PH red

    Glo Laffta Fest paints PH red

    WITH a posse of entertainers made up of three musicians and13 comedians, Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt, on Sunday took its turn to host the Globacom staged Glo Laffta Fest. On parade were some of the best comedians and musicians who thrilled the audience.

    Held at the Aztech Arcum Events Centre, ace comedian, Basketmouth, opened the show. While Klint D Drunk was at the peak of his “drunkenness” for the night, the likes of 2CanTalk, I Go Save, Senator, Funny Bones, Buchi, Okey Bakassi, Dan D Humorous, Julius Agwu, Akpororo and Bovi brought to the fore the exceptionality of the Nigerian comedy as they made jest out of the day-to-day activities that have heightened tension in the country.

    Salvador, the Ugandan sensational merchant of jokes, was in his best elements during the show, making the crowd to reel with laughter as he demonstrated the failed beer advert in Uganda by some celebrities who were commissioned to advertise the beer but got drunk in the process. Bovi, the last of the comedians to perform, gave interesting comparison between how lovers in the western world and those in Nigeria made love advances. He urged Nigerian lovers “to keep it simple.”

    The trio of Naeto C, Wande Coal and Flavour, who excited the audience with their arts, were in top form. Wande Coal and Flavour held the crowd spellbound with the rendition of their different hit tunes such as Pere, Bumper-to-bumper and Baby You Too Much. It was sensational music act, Flavour, who bade goodbye to the crowd with his popular track, Ada.

  • Its dual celebration for Yvonne Nelson at 28

    Its dual celebration for Yvonne Nelson at 28

    GHANAIAN sensation and Nollywood actress cum producer, Yvonne Nelson, clocked 28 Tuesday, November 12. For the actress, it was a time for celebration as her close friends in the industry gathered to party with her.

    Those who turned up to celebrate the actress included, Van Vicker, Majid Michel, James Gardiner, Eddie Watson Jnr, and others. It has been gathered that Yvonne moved the party to Coko Bar in London Nov. 15, and her colleagues such as Van Vicker, Majid Michel, John Dumelo and Chris Attoh graced the bash, among others.

  • X-Factor’s Pheel releases Ibiri

    X-Factor’s Pheel releases Ibiri

    EVEN though he did not eventually win the Glo X Factor contest, talented singer Pheel has shown he is determined to make a career in music and has kick-started his journey to stardom in earnest with the release of his new single, Ibiri, a song inspired by the late Highlife King’s, Oliver De Coque’s, track, Ibiri Kam Biri (Live and let live).

    The youngster’s creativity comes to bear in the track as he fuses highlife and contemporary pop sounds to create a catchy club banging tune. Ibiri, according to the young act, has the potential to rule the air waves and is sure to get the listener dancing.

    Pheel is no doubt a talented artiste as he proved by tantalising the viewers at the recently concluded singing reality TV show, Glo X Factor, as one of the finalists and last man standing. So good was his voice and stage performance that many had tipped him to win the show which was held in Africa for the first time.

    Pheel, whose full name is Philip Otuya, is 26 years old and hails from Kwale, Delta State. He studied Industrial Relations and Personnel Management at the University of Lagos and lives in Isolo, Lagos.

  • Why Nana Ama McBrown shears off hair

    Why Nana Ama McBrown shears off hair

    GHANAIAN actress, Nana Ama McBrown, has shaved all her hair in a yet-to-be-released movie titled Atemmuo (Judgment) and her main reason was not really about how much she was paid to do it but to make the movie look real.

    “I wanted to make the movie look real, so I shaved all my hair. It was my first time of going completely bald in a movie and I have not regretted at all because ultimately the movie turned out exactly how I wanted and I know when people watch it they would understand why I did it,” she attests.

    As part of the script, Nana Ama’s character was supposed to shave her hair for a trial by ordeal where she needed to prove her innocence in the death of her husband and she willingly obliged to do it.

    In the movie, Aboagyewaa played by Nana Ama McBrown’s poor mason husband couldn’t do without staking lotto as an alternative means to make it in life. She constantly advised him to stop staking lotto but the very day he decided to heed her advice, he won a huge sum. They therefore left the village for the big city to start life afresh.

    Out of hatred, her sister-in-law, Bruwaa, played by Amanda Jissih, plans to kill her but instead kills her own brother by mistake. Nana Ama is accused of killing her own husband which she was innocent of, she had to shave her hair as she goes through trial in an ordeal to prove her innocence to her family and the chief priest. Atemmuo also features Kwadjo Nkansah, aka Lil Win, Bishop, Akyere Bruwaa, Akrobeto, among others.

    The movie, directed by Theophilous Amoabeng and produced by Ebenazer Ankrah for Ank Media, is expected to be released in December.

  • 9ice shares photos of his twin babies

    9ice shares photos of his twin babies

    THERE are those who still dispute the veracity of singer 9ice fathering other children apart from his son, Zion, from ex wife, Tony Payne, but the singer has come out to dispel such thoughts and clear their doubts.

    9ice, as it was reported, had a set of twin girls from his girlfriend, Vicki Gordis, a relationship that actually led to the breakup of his marriage with Toni Payne. The Gongo Aso crooner, it can be said, is out to clear out his cupboard as he recently shared three lovely photos of the twin girls on Instagram, with the caption, ‘one of his reasons to live another day on earth’.

  • Stardom makes finding love difficult —Nollywood actress Veezee

    Stardom makes finding love difficult —Nollywood actress Veezee

    Video vixen, Venita Akpofure, first came under the entertainment radar with the portrayal of her sexy personality in rapper Skales’ Mukulu video. Since then, she says, there has been no looking back.  Veezee Baybeh, as she is otherwise referred to, delved into the world of acting, gaining recognition for her role in Ay’s Crib setting the pace for other roles in productions like The Island, featuring radio presenter Toolz and Rukky Sanda’s production, In Her Shoes, among others. She speaks with OVWE MEDEME on a range of issues bordering on her career, love, life and some of the choices she has had to make.

    YOU recently delved from the life of a video vixen to being an actress. Has this in any way affected your career?

    It is true that I was a video vixen but now an actress but that is not to say I am dumping one for another. I consider myself an all-round entertainer. Interestingly enough, acting gives me a much more relaxing effect. In Music entertainment Industry, everything has a short lifespan. The result of this is that the dynamics are volatile. You can be in a whirlwind. Acting is a lot more about focused individual performance.

    At some point, you were touted as the hottest video vixen in Nigeria. What would you say stands you out from others?

    Every element of my being is unique to me. That is the fact of the matter. There is no other Venita Akpofure. People tend to list their selling points but I have been blessed by God with too many to pick one.

    How did you get into the industry?

    I started out as a model in Kelechi Amadi Obi’s agency. I like to say he was my first Oga at the top. Then I moved into music videos and Clearance Peters became my new boss. Today, I am proud to say that I am fully into acting. I’ve done a few movies; some are out, some are yet to be released. But the most popular one, the one a lot of people know me for is Ay’s Crib. All-in-all, I do what I love. It is as simple as that.

    From your brief experience, what would you say is the downside of being an actress?

    Apart from getting typecast, there is no factor significant enough for me to declare an obstacle. However, it would really be cool if I was cast in a role that allowed me to show ugly characters or extremist behaviour. Playing obvious roles can become boring.

    What is the most interesting thing that has happened to you in the course of your career?

    To me, I would say that I have developed a lot as an individual and as a woman, and it all happened in a new environment.

    Would you say that being in the limelight has made it easy for you to find love?

    It goes both ways. Ironically it can make things more difficult in that department. Nonetheless, God has his own plans in his own time for everything and everyone. I’m very happy with my current situation.

    Is there someone in your life?

    Of course there is.

    How does your partner view your love for acting?

    I’m a lucky girl. That’s the least of his issues. We have no problems in that area at all. He is more concerned about what I want to make for dinner.

    Will we be hearing the wedding bell chime soon?

    It is easy to hear bells often at this time of year. That is not to say that they are mine.

    How have you related to senior colleagues in the industry?

    I feel quite indifferent. No offense intended, but I’m still learning this new side of the industry. I have respect of course and I give credit where it is due. However, it would be nice if our seniors were more receptive of the younger new generation of actors and actresses and give us our credit also. When they started and how they progressed was some time ago when there was not such a large international following. Things are different today. The industry is more welcoming now for fresh blood because of its rapid expansion. It doesn’t mean we as younger actors are less qualified or less talented. I’d love to approach some of my seniors but some of them see new talent as second class. Having said that, not all are that way, some are very warm. Monalisa Chinda is really sweet to me and I haven’t even ever worked with her. Rita Dominic is also kind and encouraging even if it is from a distance. I really appreciate those small things. In fact I will never forget them.

    If you were not in entertainment, what career do you see yourself pursuing?

    I would still be in the Creative Industry though I would probably be a marketer with a cosmetics range and boutique or with an Interior Showroom. I actually have two degrees which a lot of people don’t know about. One of them is from Creative Industry and Marketing. So I do designs, illustrations, cards work and produce packages that go out to client/companies that have nothing to do with media.

    What legacy do you plan to leave to future generations?

    That’s between me and my future generations.

    What is your rating of the Nigeria entertainment industry?

    It’s exploding, faster than I can even handle. But it’s great for us all involved and for our country.

    What efforts do you think can be made to improve it?

    One must run before one flies. That is all. The Industry has boomed and is in transition. The dust is yet to settle. When and if it does, then I can comment.

    If given a proper platform, what piece of wisdom would you offer to your fans?

    I wouldn’t even want to do that. There would be no need as I have some very wise fans. I’d rather just use this opportunity to tell all my fans that I love them very much. You can never understand the encouragement I feel sometimes when I read the tweets and comments. I’m human like everyone and so my moods and emotions about everything change from time to time. So when I hear read or receive messages from those who support me, it reminds me that no matter how I feel and no matter what happens, someone somewhere expects me at my best.

    As someone in public eye, have you had any scandal?

    I don’t manage scandals. I have no time for entertaining such. The media can be monstrous occasionally. So I learnt to conquer my monsters.

    Could you recount any incident that enhanced or marred your career?

    I wouldn’t know if I have experienced such. I have mixed opinions on that. Nonetheless I create and follow my own path regardless of anything. I am a strong believer in living for you not for someone else or the public. You are responsible for your own happiness.

    What fashion designer are you most comfortable with?

    When I’ve tried them all, I would tell you but for now, I can’t answer this question. That is because I wear clothes according to my moods or the event I am attending. It is the same with accessories because I am quite fearless when it comes to my wardrobe.

    If given the opportunity to pick, what actor would you love to play lead role with?

    I would choose the one who will evoke the best performance from me. The thing is that I don’t go into a project taking mental notes of my male colleagues. I’m more focused on how to improve on what was my last best performance.

    Is there any role that you will not be caught dead playing?

    I don’t have one. I’d like to stretch to all types of characters. Sometimes I am asked what role I have found most difficult to portray but the truth is that I am yet to play it. Not because I’m the perfect actor but I haven’t had a very challenging role yet.

    What romantic role will you find difficult to portray on screen?

    None! I grew up watching Hollywood so nothing is new to me. You simply commit to a character and see how far you can take it. I believe you travel as far as you want to for your work; there is a certain amount of passion that you bring into it. Some can commit all of the way; some will go halfway or not at all. I commit to what I do and if it’s required and I see the vision and it’s a beautiful thing; even if it’s a horrible thing but very artistic, then I am cool with it.

    Tell us about your early years?

    They are personal. Some areas of my life are not for the world but I grew up a very happy girl.

    How does your family view your work?

    They are very supportive and are my biggest fans.

    List your 10 vanity possessions?

    Things of vanity do not require mention. My 10 of today can be a different 10 by next month.