Entertainment

Hollywood Shuts Down As Actors Go On Strike

Published

2 years ago

July 14, 2023

Actors will join writers in the first industry-wide walkout for 63 years, effectively bringing the giant movie and television business to a halt.

At 0701 GMT, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), representing around 160,000 movie and television actors, tweeted a black picture alongside the message: “12:01 a.m. PT That’s a wrap!”

SAG-AFTRA had issued a strike order after last-ditch talks with studios over dwindling pay and the threat posed by artificial intelligence ended without a deal.

“This is a moment of history, a moment of truth — if we don’t stand tall right now, we are all going to be in trouble,” SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher told a press conference, following the union board’s unanimous vote to strike.

“We are all going to be in jeopardy of being replaced by machines and big business.”

Writers have already spent 11 weeks protesting outside the headquarters of the likes of Disney and Netflix, after their demands for better pay and guarantees over the use artificial intelligence were not met.

Movie studios have already begun reshuffling their calendars, and if the strikes drag on, major film releases could be postponed too.

A strike prevents actors from promoting some of the year’s biggest releases, at the peak of the industry’s summer blockbuster season.

Drescher told AFP that SAG-AFTRA was “duped” into extending negotiations for two weeks by studios that wanted to promote their movies.

“But we were duped. They stayed behind closed doors, they kept canceling our meetings, wasting time,” Drescher said.

“It was probably all to have more time to promote their summer movies. Because nothing came out of it that was significant.”

During that two-week period, major premieres have been held around the world for blockbusters including Warner’s “Barbie,” Universal’s “Oppenheimer” and Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One.”

The cast of “Oppenheimer” walked out of their London premiere in solidarity with the strike.

“We know it’s a critical time at this point in the industry and the issues that are involved need to be addressed — there are difficult conversations,” British actor Kenneth Branagh said on the red carpet just before the strike was announced.

“I know everybody’s trying to get a fair deal, that’s what’s required, so we’ll support that.”

SAG-AFTRA represents actors from A-list stars such as Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Glenn Close to day players who do small roles on television series.

The last time the actors’ union went on strike, in 1980, it lasted more than three months.

This time, some 98 percent of members voted to pre-approve industrial action if a deal was not reached.

The union said actors’ pay has been “severely eroded by the rise of the streaming ecosystem,” and has warned that “artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to creative professions.”

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) said it had offered “historic” pay rises and a “groundbreaking AI proposal” to actors, who had chosen “a path that will lead to financial hardship for countless thousands of people who depend on the industry.”

But Phil Lord — the writer, director and producer behind hits such as “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and “The Lego Movie” — poured scorn on the studios’ version of events.

“AMPTP has played hardball instead of helping to solve entirely solvable problems that endanger writers and actors on the lower ends of the pay scale,” he tweeted.

– ‘Painful’ –

While the writers’ strike has already dramatically reduced the number of movies and shows in production, an actors’ walkout shutters almost everything.

“I feel sad and it is painful and it’s necessary,” said actor Jennifer Van Dyck, on the picket line in New York on Thursay.

“No one wants to go on strike, but there’s just no way we can proceed.”

Actors and writers are also united on demands for guarantees about the use of AI.

SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland slammed the studios’ latest stance on AI.

He told journalists that studios had proposed to be allowed to scan the faces of background performers — or extras — for the payment of one day’s work, and be able to own and use their likeness “for the rest of eternity, in any project they want, with no consent and no compensation.”

Entertainment

Nigerian Singer Says P-Square Feud Spiritual

Published

8 hours ago

September 2, 2025

Editor

Nigerian singer Obumneme Ali, popularly known as Smash and one-half of the music duo Bracket, has described the long-standing feud between Peter and Paul of P-Square as “spiritual,” revealing insights from his personal experiences with the legendary duo.

P-Square, the Nigerian music duo of twins Peter and Paul Okoye, rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits like Do Me and Personally.

Their success peaked in 2011 with the release of the album Invasion, earning them international acclaim.

However, tensions reportedly began surfacing around 2016 over management, royalties, and creative control, culminating in their public split in 2017 when both brothers pursued solo careers as Mr P and Rudeboy.

Despite attempts at reconciliation in 2021, including a brief reunion tour and joint appearances, underlying disagreements persisted, keeping their relationship strained.

Speaking on a recent episode of the AFRIMMA Podcast on August 29th, alongside his bandmate Vast, Smash said Paul himself agreed that the conflict was beyond normal disagreements.

“I’m closer to Paul than Peter, but I always visit Peter’s house, and he listens whenever I speak to him. Honestly, if you ask me as someone inside the circle, I would say the problem is spiritual,” he said.

Smash recounted how he and Vast were given their first big break after encountering P-Square.

“We heard P-Square was coming to Enugu to perform. I booked a bus, went to the venue with two others, and approached them. Jude looked at me and said, ‘Just keep walking, if the right song comes, we’ll call you.’ And that’s exactly what happened,” he said.

He added that after the success of Yori Yori, Paul later invited them to his house, an experience Smash fondly described as ‘like Christmas,’ where the duo even offered him his first taste of whiskey

Reflecting on the current feud, Smash lamented the rift between the brothers, noting how painful it is to witness, given their closeness and passion for P-Square’s brand.

“Jude was part of P-Square, too. Paul and Peter loved that brand with so much passion. If you see Peter building stagecraft, you’d think this one is not human,” he said, recalling Peter’s dedication during video shoots, including dancing for hours straight at the set of “Alingo.”

Smash emphasised that despite the publicised conflict, he and Vast do not take sides. “We can never be on any side, but the last time I met Paul, I told him his problem with Peter isn’t normal, it’s spiritual. Paul agreed,” he said.

The singer’s reflections provide rare insight into the personal and professional dynamics of one of Nigeria’s most iconic music duos. Fans have followed closely as the once inseparable duo navigated personal and professional conflicts, making the P-Square saga one of Nigeria’s most talked-about music feuds.

Entertainment

5 Records Michael Jackson Set That Remain Unbroken

Published

4 days ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

Michael Jackson widely known as the “King of Pop,” was an American singer, songwriter, and dancer whose influence reshaped the music and entertainment industry.

Rising to fame as a child with the Jackson 5, he went on to achieve unprecedented global success as a solo artist. With groundbreaking albums like Thriller, Bad, and Dangerous, Jackson became the best-selling music artist in history, blending pop, rock, and R&B in a style uniquely his own

Beyond music, he revolutionized music videos with cinematic works such as Thriller, Beat It, and Billie Jean, and his signature dance moves including the iconic moonwalk—set new standards in performance.

Despite controversies in his personal life, his artistry, humanitarian work, and cultural impact continue to inspire artists worldwide

Beyond being known as the ‘King of Pop,’ he also holds five records that remain unbeaten; here are they:

1. Best-Selling Album of All Time (“Thriller”)

Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1982) remains the best-selling album in history, with over 70 million certified copies sold worldwide (and over 100 million claimed). No album has surpassed it globally.

2. Most Grammy Awards Won in a Single Night (Male Artist)

At the 1984 Grammy Awards, Jackson won 8 Grammys in one night for Thriller and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. This remains a record for a male artist (only tied, never beaten).

3. First Artist to Top Billboard Hot 100 in 5 Different Decades

Michael Jackson is the only artist to have No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in five different decades (1960s with the Jackson 5, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and posthumously in the 2000s).

4. Most Successful Music Video of All Time (“Thriller”)

The thrillerr short film is still considered the most successful music video ever, recognized by Guinness World Records. It was the first music video inducted into the National Film Registry (U.S. Library of Congress).

Entertainment

Colleagues, Fans Pour Tributes As Funke Akindele Marks

Published

1 week ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Nollywood star Funke Akindele was showered with warm tributes on social media on Sunday as colleagues, protégés, and fans marked her 48th birthday, praising the actress-producer for her friendship, mentorship and contributions to the film industry.

Akindele, best known for her comic creation Jenifa and the popular television series and films that grew from it, has long been celebrated as a mentor and role model to younger talents.

On Sunday, however, tributes poured in beyond her screen achievements to highlight her enduring friendships and influence on emerging entertainers.

In a viral post, skitmaker Akinyoola Ayoola, popularly known as Kamo State, and acclaimed as Akindele’s adopted son, paid tribute to Akindele with a birthday song and an affectionate caption that referred to her as “Grandma Sonia” and “OLUFUNKE Ayotunde.”

He posted, “Happy Birthday Grandma Sonia, lyami Olufunke Ayotunde…Words can’t express how much | appreciate you. You’ve always been more than just a godmother to me, you’ve been a source of strength, love, and unwavering support.

“Thank you for the countless ways you’ve shown me kindness, for believing in me, and for always being there, no matter what. I’m incredibly grateful for your presence in my life…Enjoy your day, lya Beji, Alase gbogbo FaanTV, JENIFA Kan, Lefty Miii,”

Popular actress Eniola Badmus, posting as @eniola_badmus on Instagram, described the box-office star as “more than just a friend,” calling her a “playmate, my gist partner, my safe place” and a source of joy.

“Thank you for all the memories and for making life so much brighter,” Badmus wrote, praying that the new year brings Akindele “endless joy, success, and blessings.”

Another well-wisher, @tobimakinde, lauded Akindele as a “true trailblazer, luminary and exemplar of excellence,” wishing her “greater strength, peace, and overflowing joy” and praying for continued success and good health.

Fans across platforms joined in the celebrations, sharing clips, photos and messages under birthday posts, with many praising her career achievements and role as a mentor in Nollywood.

@Metalistix commented, “Happy 48th Birthday, Funke Akindele! Congratulations to you on this special day. Many of us grew up watching you in our teens, and we’re still watching and celebrating you as adults – and we know we’ll continue cheering you on even in old age. Cheers to a beautiful life, more success, and endless joy. Keep shining, Funke!”

@Tina_rayx described Akindele as “The Wizkid of Nollywood. Number 1. Nobody comes close. Aura upon Aura.”

@TowFunFun posted, “Happy birthday to the most successful actress in Nigerian history. The mother of many of us.”

Meanwhile, the creator of Jenifa used the occasion to reveal details of her next big project.

In a birthday message to fans, she announced her upcoming film Behind the Scenes, set for release in December 2025.

She said, “It’s my birthday today, and I feel so fulfilled. I’m graciously grateful to God for the grace to keep telling our stories… I’m using this special day to reveal my blockbuster movie, which premieres in December 2025, Behind The Scenes.”