Entertainment

Female Entertainers Who Rose Above Failed Marriages

Published

3 years ago

February 18, 2023

Over the years, many entertainers have had crashed marriages; but not all of them have been able to rise above such situations and keep their careers going forward. Here is a look at some entertainers who have blossomed in their careers despite having crashed marriages.

Funke Akindele

Social media was thrown into a frenzy in 2022 when popular actress, Funke Akindele’s ex-husband, Abdulrasheed Bello, better known as JJC Skillz, announced on Instagram that their marriage had crashed. That was the actress’ second marriage. Her first marriage had ended in a similar fashion when her then-husband, Kehinde Oloyede, announced the separation between himself and the actress via a Facebook post in 2013, after about a year of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.

However, the failure of the marriages did not wither the actress’ acting or production skills in any way as her company, Scene One TV, is still flourishing.

The actress produced and released a new movie titled, ‘Battle on Buka Street’ in December 2022, and it has broken some records since its release.

Two weeks after the end of her marriage to JJC, Akindele was announced as the Lagos deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, as a running mate to Olajide Adediran, aka Jandor.

Tiwa Savage

Ace female singer, Tiwa Savage, got married to her erstwhile manager, Tunde Balogun, aka Tee Billz, in November 2013 at the Ark Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos. However, their marriage crashed badly in April 2016 amid accusations of infidelity from both parties.

A year later, Savage appeared on BBC’s list of ‘100 inspirational and innovative women’. Savage has clinched many awards such as, ‘African Video of the Year’ at the Soundcity MVP Awards 2020, ‘Best Female West Africa Artiste’ at the AFRIMA Awards 2019, and ‘Best African Act’ at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2018.

Savage has also delivered hits such as ‘Somebody’s Son’, ‘Koroba’, and ‘Loaded’.

Iyabo Ojo

Iyabo Ojo has often attributed the crash of her marriage to Adewunmi Ojo to the fact that she got married too early. The popular actress got married to her ex-husband in 1999 when she was just 21 years old. They eventually got divorced in 2001. As a matter of fact, Ojo rose to stardom after she and her ex-husband went their separate ways. Aside from her outstanding screen personality, the actress is also known for creating and posting interesting contents online. In 2021, Ojo was awarded the ‘Best Tiktok Influencer’ at the 2021 Social Media Hangout.

She has also won other awards including, ‘Best Actress of the Year (Yoruba)’ at the 2015 City People Movie Awards, and ‘Best Actress of the Year’ at the 2013 CAMA Awards.

Her love life has also not suffered as she recently revealed that she was in a relationship with a showbiz personality, Paul Okoye, aka Paul O of Upfront and Personal.

Osas Ighodaro

Osas Ighodaro got married to Gbenro Ajibade in July 2015 in what could be described as a star-studded wedding, which was attended by many celebrities. Unfortunately, the marriage barely lasted four years, as the duo went their separate ways in 2019. Since then, the actress has been able to put that chapter of her life behind her, and moved on to greater things. Since her divorce, Ighodaro has continued to put in much energy in her career. She has starred in top movies and series such as, ‘Shuga’, ‘King of Boys’, ‘Rattlesnake’ and ‘Bad Comments’.

She is currently one of the most sought after actresses in the country.

Etinosa Idemudia

Actress, Etinosa Idemudia, tied the knot with a Benin-based lawyer, simply identified as Ighorosa, in September 2020, but barely a year after, the marriage hit the rocks.

Prior to that time, Idemudia had got married to a military officer at the age of 22, but the marriage allegedly crashed due to domestic violence. However, she has been able to keep her career on track.

In 2021, the same year she got divorced the second time, Idemudia bagged the Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards as ‘Best Actress in a TV Series (Africa)’.

She also recently produced a movie titled, ‘Dear Sister’.

Kate Henshaw

Actress, Kate Henshaw, has a child with her British ex-husband, Roderick Nuttal, whom she married in 1999. Henshaw and Nuttal’s marriage was dissolved 12 years after it was consummated in 2011. Also, in 2011, Henshaw was honoured by the Federal Government as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic. After her marriage collapsed, Henshaw moved on to bigger things and has taken on lead roles in notable movies. Some of the movies she is known for include, ‘Chief Daddy’, ‘New Money’, ‘Fourth Republic’ and ‘Blood Sisters’.

In 2017, she bagged the Best of Nollywood awards as ‘Best Supporting Actress’ for her role in the movie, ‘The Women’.

In 2015, she was appointed as a Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade.

Toke Makinwa

Media personality, Toke Makinwa, and her ex husband, Maje Ayida, were married for three years before their divorce in 2017. Not long after the divorce, Makinwa published a book titled, ‘On Becoming’, where she has detailed her experiences in marriage. The media personality ended her 12-year radio career in 2022, and started her own podcast, ‘Toke Moments’. She was also the host of BBNaija-affiliated show, ‘The Buzz’. This is in addition to other notable events she has hosted, including the third season of ‘The Voice Nigeria’ in 2021, and the ‘Guilder Ultimate Search’ season 12, also in 2021.

She has also won many awards including Net Honours 2021 as ‘Most Popular Media Personality (Female)’ and Africa Youth Award 2018 as one of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans. She also has a fashion line called, Toke Makinwa Luxury.

Ini Edo

Ini Edo got married to Philip Ehiagwina in 2008 but the marriage ended in 2014. Since then, the actress has remained focused on her career. Aside from being an incredible actress, Edo is also a businesswoman. In 2021, she debuted a luxury fashion and cosmetic brand called ‘Secrets of April’.

Earlier in the year, Edo produced ‘Shanty Town’, a crime thriller released on video streaming platform, Netflix, in January.

In 2016, Edo was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State governor on Culture and Tourism.

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Entertainment

Amy Winehouse’s Father Fues Her Friends For Auctioning Late Star’s Clothes

Published

7 days ago

December 9, 2025

Editor

The father of late British singer Amy Winehouse Tuesday defended his UK lawsuit against two of her friends after they sold some of her clothes at auction for around £730,000 ($970,000).

Mitch Winehouse told the High Court in London that Naomi Parry, the star’s former stylist, and her friend, Catriona Gourlay, did not have the right to sell dozens of items in auctions between November 2021 and May 2023.

Lawyer Henry Legge, acting for Winehouse, told the court on Monday, the first day of the trial, that the two women sold 150 objects which had belonged to Winehouse, including dresses which she wore on her last tour in June 2011.

The British singer-songwriter, who enjoyed meteoric global success, died a month later from alcohol poisoning, aged just 27.

Winehouse was a distinctive figure with her beehive hairdo, heavy black eye makeup, multiple tattoos and smoky voice.

She shot to international fame with her Grammy Award-winning 2006 album “Back to Black” which included the track “Rehab”, charting her battle with addiction.

According to court documents, Winehouse believed that any sums collected from the sales organised by Los Angeles-based Julien’s Auctions would be due to him.

The auctioneers had also been told that a third of the proceeds would be donated to the Amy Winehouse Foundation — a charity set up in the singer’s name working with young people to foster hope and self-reliance.

However, Winehouse’s team accused the women of failing to donate the share of proceeds to the foundation.

– ‘You’re wrong’ –

Ted Loveday, lawyer for Gourlay, said that most of the objects had been given or lent to the two women by the singer, even if there was no proof.

“If a 19-year-old gives a scarf or a pair of earrings to their friends, no one signs a contract,” he told the court on Monday, stressing the singer’s generosity.

Gourlay and Parry met Amy Winehouse in the early 2000s, before she shot to fame. Parry went on to create some of the singer’s most iconic looks — including the green bamboo dress worn on the June 2011 tour which sold at auction for $243, 200.

Beth Grossman, the lawyer for Parry, said the two “women are not thieves and they are not dishonest”.

She accused Winehouse of bringing the lawsuit against the women out of “petty jealousy”, which he strongly denied on Tuesday, saying “you’re wrong”.

Grossman also highlighted the financial differences between the multi-millionaire Mitch Winehouse and the two women who are “living pretty much hand to mouth”.

The hearing is set to last until Friday, with a judgement due at a later date.
(AFP)

Entertainment

FULL LIST: Shallipopi, Belove Olocha, Malumfoodie Win Big At TikTok Awards 2025

Published

1 week ago

December 8, 2025

Editor

TikTok has announced the full list of winners for the 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigerian stars Shallipopi, Belove Olocha and South Africa’s Malumfoodie taking home some of the biggest honours of the night.

The ceremony held on December 6 in Johannesburg and attracted top creators, performers and industry figures from across the continent. The theme for this year’s event was New Era, New Icons.

The show featured performances from Ciza, Lord Kez, Thuli P, DJ Fif Laa and Thabsie. South African entertainer Bontle Modiselle Moloi hosted the event while Keegan Gordon and Zayaan Noorani handled the red carpet. Influencer Mihlali Ndamase made a surprise appearance to present the Video of the Year award. Olympian Akani Simbine also presented the Sport Creator of the Year category.

Brands including NIVEA, inDrive, Coca-Cola, PEP and Dis-Chem supported the awards.

TikTok’s Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa, Boniswa Sidwaba, said the platform is recognising creators who are shaping global conversations.

She said, “Tonight’s ceremony was a gathering of the trailblazers who have redefined what it means to be a creator in Africa. From Sokoto to Nairobi, and Accra to Pretoria, we honoured the creators who turned 60-second clips into cultural movements. We are honoured to celebrate them as they amplify their voices and take their stories from Africa to the world.”

The ceremony will be rebroadcast on December 11 at 20:00 SAST on TikTok LIVE through the @tiktok.africa account.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Creator of the Year
Raja’atu Muhammed Ibrahim @diaryofanortherncook (Nigeria)

Storyteller of the Year
Brian Nwana @briannwana (Nigeria)
He said, “Every single creator is a storyteller. We all tell stories that help drive the local communities, our cities, and our countries, and when we do that we change the perception that the world has about us”.

Video of the Year
Fanuel John Masamaki @zerobrainer0 (Tanzania)
He said, “I am truly grateful to my fans and the love I have received from Tanzanians. Thank you so much . This win was for all of us.”

Rising Star of the Year
@tunero_animations (Kenya)
Runner up: Esther Francis @estherfrancisbackup (Nigeria)

Social Impact Creator of the Year
Dejoke Ogunbiyi @noositiwantiwa_ (Nigeria)
Runner up: Sinethemba Masinga @ufarm_julia (South Africa)

Food Creator of the Year
@malumfoodie (South Africa)
He said, “From my humble beginnings of Haamanskraal, to Soshanguve and to all of South Africa, now we are in Africa!”

Runner up: Abena Amoakoaa Sintim Aboagye @chefabbys (Ghana)

Sports Creator of the Year
John Maingi Mbugua @zozasportscast (Kenya)
He said, “Winning isn’t the finish line, it’s fuel for the next chapter. Every piece of content, every discussion, every moment captured was driven by passion, and receiving this recognition means that passion is resonating far beyond my expectations.”

Runner up: Victor Ademola @ademolavictortv (Nigeria)

Entertainment Creator of the Year
Belove Olocha @beloveolocha (Nigeria)
Runner up: Jabulani Macdonald @jabu_macdonald (South Africa)

Education Creator of the Year
Izzi Boye @izziboye (Nigeria)
Runner up: @michelle_expert (South Africa)

Artiste of the Year
Crown Uzama @theycallmeshallipopipp (Nigeria)
He said, “Thank you, TikTok, for supporting all upcoming artists and giving them a spotlight to shine.”

Entertainment

TikTok Temporarily Restricts Late Night Live Feature In Nigeria

Published

1 week ago

December 8, 2025

Editor

TikTok has restricted late-night LIVE access for Nigerian users, as the platform now blocks the feature during peak night hours.

The restriction started on Sunday at midnight when the app quietly shut down all LIVE activities across Nigeria, leaving accounts unable to host or even watch late night streams.

According to an in-app message sent to creators, TikTok wrote, “We’re temporarily limiting LIVE late at night in Nigeria as part of our investigation to ensure our platform remains safe and our community stays protected.”

Many affected users shared that their screens showed a “No Access” label between 11pm and 5am, confirming that the shutdown was nationwide and not a technical glitch.

Reports showed that only creators with at least 1,000 followers received the notice, since they are the only ones allowed to host LIVE sessions on the platform.

Several of them confirmed that all LIVE activities stopped throughout the night, and no one could even view broadcasts from other countries during the restriction.

TikTok users who earn money through LIVE gifting said their balances were not touched, easing fears of sudden financial loss.

By Monday morning, LIVE access returned, but the whole situation triggered long conversations on social media as Nigerians questioned why the company picked late night hours, which usually record the highest traffic for match streams, entertainment shows and interactive trends.

TikTok’s latest move came a few weeks after the platform released fresh safety figures for West Africa at its Safety Summit in Dakar, Senegal.

The company revealed that in the second quarter of 2025, it took action against 2,321,813 LIVE sessions and 1,040,356 creators worldwide for breaking LIVE monetisation rules.

It also disclosed that Nigeria alone recorded 49,512 banned LIVE sessions within the same period.

TikTok added that it removed 3,780,426 Nigerian videos between April and June 2025 for violating Community Guidelines, noting that 98.7 percent were deleted before anyone viewed them, while 91.9 percent were taken down within 24 hours.

TikTok LIVE remains a popular feature among young users because it allows real time broadcasting, comments and gifting, unlike pre-recorded videos.

To go LIVE, a creator generally needs at least 1,000 followers, must be above 16 years to stream and above 18 years to earn money.