Entertainment

Ex-Big Brother Naija housemate, Chichi, has reignited her long-running feud with fellow reality star, Phyna, accusing her of seeking attention amid the ongoing N15 million celebrity boxing deal controversy. Reacting to the drama, Chichi claimed she had moved on from their issues after the 2023 BBNaija reunion but alleged that Phyna keeps bringing her name into conversations. In a strongly-worded statement, she said: “I have moved on since the 2023 Big Brother reunion show ended, and I laid enough curses on Phyna. Everything currently happening to you is a result of those curses. Because of a N15 million boxing deal saga, you have been shouting over the money like a lunatic.” Chichi also downplayed the significance of winning the reality show, insisting that success afte...

Musician, Augustine Miles Kelechi, popularly known as Tekno, has sparked debate after claiming that the late music icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was not the sole originator of Afrobeats. "Fela is not the originator of Afrobeats," Tekno stated during an interview on Hot 97 FM in New York.  "Lagos people and the Yorubas might say he is the one, but I am from the East, and we had legends like Oliver De Coque. Oliver De Coque made pure highlife music. Highlife is also Afrobeats." Tekno argued that Fela received primary credit largely because of his global reach. "Fela gets all the credit because he travelled and performed with his band around the world. To some people, he is the originator of Afrobeats, but to me, there are a bunch of them—legends that no one speaks about." ...

Malian singer Salif Keita has cancelled his upcoming commercial performances in South Africa over concerns about xenophobic violence against African migrants. The singer said he could not ignore reports of violence against African migrants in South Africa.  He went on to describe the decision to cancel his shows as painful. “I cannot ignore the reports of xenophobic violence against our African brothers and sisters,” Keita stated in an open letter The Malian music icon said his decision was not an outright rejection of South Africa, but a response to the violence directed at migrants from other African countries. “To be clear — I am not closing the door on South Africa. I am closing the door on violence,” he said. Keita also expressed concern about the treatme...

Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer, according to her representatives. Her reps said she was surrounded by loved ones at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville when she died on Tuesday, August 25. In a statement, her representatives said Parton spent her life bringing “joy, laughter, hope and integrity” to everything she touched. They also highlighted her philanthropy through Imagination Library and her support for medical research. They said her unconditional love for others was the driving force behind the lasting impact she leaves behind. Parton’s death came as a shock to those closest to her, despite her having experienced health problems in recent months. Sources said her family and friends knew she was sick but believed she would re...

The Snaresbrook Crown Court has confirmed that popular Nigerian socialite and dancer, Iweh Pascal Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, will be appearing before the court on assault charges. The London-based court confirmed this in an exclusive correspondence to our correspondent on Tuesday. PUNCH Online had emailed the court to inquire about the alleged sexual assault involving the socialite on Monday. In response, the court’s Admin Team Lead, James Baker, confirmed that the matter is official and that the case is listed for plea and trial preparation on September 15, 2026. He wrote, “OFFICIAL. Good afternoon. I can confirm that this case is currently listed at Snaresbrook Crown Court for plea and trial preparation on the 15th September 2026. “Criminal Court hearings ar...

The founder of the Community of Nigerians in the UK, Benjamin Kuti aka Oluomo of Derbu, has confirmed that popular Nigerian dancer, Iweh Odinaka aka Poco Lee, is currently being held on remand in the United Kingdom over an alleged ass@ult offence. In a statement released on X today August 24, Kuti said Poco Lee is expected to appear before the Snaresbrook Crown Court in London in for a plea hearing. He also said he intends to attend the proceedings and offer support to the Nigerian entertainer. Reports about Poco Lee’s alleged detention in the UK began circulating on social media on August 19, although details surrounding the alleged incident remain limited. https://youtu.be/pf6-fpuxMsc?si=TxATbJBbcAwBMB9Y

Wande Coal has said that God, and not Don Jazzy, is the reason for his success in the music industry. Wande Coal said he and his former record label boss, Don Jazzy, were two talented individuals who worked together to achieve success, but God ultimately made his career successful. Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, the singer said, “God is the reason for my success. I give all the credits to him because he was the one who brought me out and made me successful.” Wande Coal also addressed the widely held belief that Don Jazzy was responsible for discovering and making him a star. “Some people say it was Don Jazzy that brought me out but I feel like it was just two talented people working together to achieve success. So, it’s not by one man. It’s God,” he ...

Rapper Blueface was detained by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies in California over the weekend after authorities responded to an emergency call reporting severe violence, according to TMZ. The rapper was inside a restaurant in Santa Clarita on Sunday night when deputies arrived at the scene. Several people, including Blueface, were detained while officers investigated the reported emergency. Authorities later determined that no crime had occurred and released everyone. The incident was subsequently described as an apparent “swatting” attack, in which a false emergency report is made to prompt an armed police response. A witness reportedly livestreamed the incident, capturing Blueface and his partner, Nevaeh Akira, during the police response. Videos shared on social media sho...

The late Nollywood veteran, Taiwo Hassan, professionally known as Ogogo, will be buried on Monday. Ogogo will be buried on August 24, 2026, less than 24 hours after his death, according to Islamic burial rites. The burial prayer will take place by 10 am tomorrow at Asade Agunloye Pavilion in Ilaro, Ogun State. The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Ilaro Chief Imam and shared by Seun Oloketuyi, the founder of the Best of Nollywood, BON Awards, on Instagram.  Nigerian celebrities mourn Ogogo’s death Actress Bimbo Oshin, in an Instagram post, said, “The world lost a giant today. “Haa!!!! Olorun oooo. The world lost a giant today. Sir T, your legacy will never die. A true legend has left us. May Allah forgive you all your sins.” Mr Latin, the presi...

Veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has d!ed after battling stage-four cancer. His daughter, Kira Hassan, confirmed his de@th in an emotional Instagram Live video on Sunday, saying, “My daddy is de@d. I can’t believe it.”  TV& Video Last week, she came online to disclose that her father was battling a terminal illness. She said the family wasn't seeking funds but for any connections to a hospital that can admit him for treatment as all the hospitals they had gone to declined to take him in because he was already in the late stage of the ailment. Ogogo’s de@th comes two months to his 67th birthday. May his soul rest in peace, Amen.  https://youtu.be/B8OZHw-V6Go?si=H0JrEZ3VPlGcgODA