Entertainment

Portable, Wizkid, Other ‘Controversial’ Celebrities In 2022

Published

3 years ago

December 30, 2022

Every year comes with controversies and the Nigerian entertainment industry never seems to disappoint in that aspect.

In 2022, some Nigerian celebrities made the news for a series of controversial moments, ranging from marital issues to industry fights, and provoking comments.

Here are some controversial celebrities who made the headlines in 2022:

Portable

Popular street-pop artiste, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has always found his way to the news since his big break in December 2021, with his hit song ‘Zazuu Zeh’ featuring Olamide and Poco Lee.

In May 2022, the singer threatened other artistes nominated alongside him in two categories of the Headies Award— ‘Rookie of the Year’, and ‘Best Street-Hop Artiste’.

As a result, the award organisers, sent a notice of warning to the singer.

After a video of him ordering some boys to beat up his estranged friend, DJ Chicken, surfaced on the Internet in June 2022, the Nigeria Police Force issued an ultimatum to the singer to report to any police station in Ogun State because the incident happened within their jurisdiction.

Barely had the dust settled on that, it was reported that the singer’s range Rover SUV was involved in an accident with an okada, leading to the death of the motorcyclist. However, the singer’s camp quickly stated that though it was indeed the singer’s vehicle, it was one of his aides who drove.

The accident happened on the day Portable’s third child was being christened, where he ‘wedded’ his second baby mama, Bewaji, at the ceremony.

In July 2022, Portable had in a viral video boasted to have formed the ‘One Million Boys’ cult group, leading the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to order an investigation into the comments.

In the heat of the investigations, the singer was disqualified from the Headies as a nominee in the two categories.

In November, the singer had impregnated his lover, known as Keji, and had introduced her to his wife Bewaji. This was even as he allegedly brought the pregnant lady to live with him and his family.

The 27-year-old Sango Ota-based singer welcomed his fourth child with the third baby mama in December.

His latest controversy was his arrival at his concert in a coffin at Fela’s Shrine in Lagos State, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022.

Nkechi Blessing

Actress Nkechi Blessing left tongues wagging following her messy breakup with her supposed husband, Opeyemi Falegan.

Shortly after Falegan showered her with praises in February on her birthday, the duo began a war of words on social media as their breakup became public in April.

However, many had lambasted the actress for the messy social media drama, considering she had said just weeks before the event that she would not drag her partner on social media if the relationship ended.

In the heat of the social media battle, Nkechi claimed that she fed the UK-based military man as she denied getting married to him.

After a few months of calm, their feud was reignited in September after she spoke about him in an interview, leading to another round of the Instagram fight between the actress and the Ekiti State politician.

In November, Blessing began flaunting a younger man as her new lover, as she shared videos of their romantic moments on her social media pages.

The actress also caused a stir on the Internet during her visit to the Ooni of Ife’s palace, where she was filmed dancing in the presence of the monarch.

Yul Edochie

Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, broke the Internet in April 2022 after the announcement of his second marriage to actress Judy Austin, revealing that they both had a son together.

Following the announcement, Yul’s first wife of 18 years, May, called on God’s judgment over the couple and unfollowed her husband on Instagram.

Yul’s family members also publicly disassociated themselves from his decision after the announcement.

A few weeks after the announcement, Yul stated that it felt good breaking the Internet, adding that he had become the most talked about man on the planet.

In May, Yul’s first wife and mother of his four kids openly stated that her family and her faith did not support polygamy, though it may work for some people.

In June, he alleged that some people were wishing death for his family, claiming that critics get angry when they see him happy.

He also boasted that polygamy brought him blessings and elevated his two wives, likening himself to the Biblical David.

November saw Yul announcing that he has been called to become a minister of God and in mid-December, the actor once again boasted about being a “proud polygamist”.

On December 21, Yul, however, decided to publicly apologise to May for his actions, as he stated that he meant no disrespect to her.

In her response, May maintained that she would not be cajoled into accepting polygamy, stating that she refused to be numbered in her home.

Wizkid

In November, Wizkid surprised fans when he revealed that he made a shocking revelation about his relationship status, lamenting that he has “been single for so long! Gotta find one or two.”

Many were shocked by his remark because the singer had recently shared a rare family photo of himself, his son, Zion, and a then-pregnant Jada Pollock.

Reacting to the comment, Pollock, music executive and Wizkid’s baby mama, said, “Taking arguments to social media is never going to end well.”

She also followed up with another tweet that read, “controlling emotions,” with a padlock and key emoji. The tweets by Jada have since been deleted.

This happened shortly after the Ojuelegba crooner unfollowed his colleagues and other celebrities on his Instagram account.

In early December, Wizkid broke the Internet when he made a controversial statement, “Rap is dead,” during an interview.

The comment caused an uproar in the entertainment industry, especially from rappers like MI and Ycee, who countered the artiste for his comment.

Wizkid doubled down on his comment when he called rappers “broke boys”, after he claimed some rappers sent him rap videos.

He further added, “Y’all not even rappers! Nasty C/Sarkodie/Black Sheriff the only rappers in Africa.”

Entertainment

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

Published

2 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

3 days 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

3 days 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.