Top Entertainment Stories of 2023
Glitz Entertainment
What’s a year without some entertaining gists and celebrity drama? 2023 offered an abundance of such stories, from the frenzy of Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) mania to the controversial demise of MohBad, these moments, though some may have faded from memory, left us both amused and astounded.
Vanessa Obioha attempts to recapture some of these notable stories
BBL Instagram Mania
Did you get a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) this year? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many of us lacked the courage to go under the knife for a butt enhancement, yet we couldn’t help but gaze at the celebrities flaunting their enhanced figures on Instagram. BBL surgery, involving the removal of fat from other areas to increase the size and shape of your butt., took centre stage.
Undoubtedly, it became the trend of the year for most celebrities, prompting netizens to nominate the best and worst celebrity BBL transformations. While cosmetic surgery isn’t a new phenomenon in celebritydom, each era brings its own mania.
For now, BBL reigns supreme, and whether it’s Tiwa Savage’s or Toke Makinwa’s, we find satisfaction in witnessing their body transformations towards perfection.
Moyo Lawal’s Leaked Sex Tape
Leaked celebrity sex tapes are a regular feature. And this year, Nigerian actress Moyo Lawal grabbed headlines when her sex tape went viral in September. This notorious act by an ex-lover of hers however made her a trending topic, including earning her top spots on Google’s Trending Searches of 2023.
Banky W’s Infidelity Rumour
In 2023, Banky W faced the challenge familiar to many celebrities—an onslaught of scandalous rumours threatening reputation and relationships. Allegations surfaced on a popular online gossip platform, claiming the entertainer and politician had impregnated singer Niyola, once signed to his record label, EME Records.
Addressing the situation later at Waterbrooks Church, Banky dismissed the claims as rumours orchestrated by what he referred to as “satanic elements.” In a united front, he and his wife debunked the speculation, expressing support for each other through a series of reassuring Instagram posts.
Davido vs Amaju Pinnick
Arguably, 2023 proved to be a remarkable year for Nigerian music superstar Davido. His “Timeless” album not only earned him nominations at the 2024 Grammys but also showcased his continued success as he embarked on tours, consistently selling out venues. However, even amidst triumphs, Davido wasn’t immune to scandals. In June, a US-based woman named Anita Brown stirred controversy by alleging on social media that Davido impregnated her and urged her to terminate the pregnancy. Despite the public outcry, Davido chose to remain silent on the matter.
Beyond the baby mama drama, Davido made headlines for his clash with the former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick. His company had reportedly signed a performance agreement with Pinnick’s BrownHill Event Inc, on March 30, committing to a show in Warri on October 6. However, Davido scheduled another show in Australia on the same day, leading to Pinnick apologizing to his guests and pledging a refund from Davido.
In response, Davido took to social media, asserting that he would rather return the money to a football charity organisation and accusing Pinnick of being a dream crusher. Pinnick retaliated by filing a lawsuit against the singer for defamation, but Davido, refusing to be cowered, countered the suit. The clash unfolded in a series of posts, marking a notable chapter in Davido’s eventful 2023.
Seun Kuti Assaults a Police Officer
In May, Nigerians were incensed when a video surfaced of Seun Kuti, one of the sons of the late Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, assaulting a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge. Despite following in his father’s activist footsteps, the singer faced significant criticism for his actions. In response to the public outcry, Seun Kuti voluntarily presented himself for detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos. Following his brief detainment, he was released on bail. The application to arraign him was also dismissed by a magistrate court.
Faridah Sobowale’s Third Mainland Bridge Drama
Heartbreaks can be very devastating and can make one choose death instead of living. This was the sad case of socialite Faridah Sobowale in August. Devastated by the collapse of her marriage, she embarked on a harrowing suicide attempt.
Sobowale reportedly parked her Lexus SUV at the extension of the Third Mainland Bridge and attempted to dive into the lagoon, before kind Lagosians alighted from the vehicles to prevent her. The incident, captured in a viral video, stirred a range of emotions from pity to schadenfreude, underscoring the complexities of empathy and public sentiment. In June, Sobowale entered into matrimony with Demola Okulaja in a grand wedding estimated to have incurred a cost of N100 million. Regrettably, the union met an abrupt end barely two months later, marred by accusations of infidelity exchanged between the couple.
MohBad’s Controversial Demise
The puzzling circumstances surrounding the passing of Nigerian rapper and singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, widely recognized as MohBad, ignited a storm of speculations and controversies. MohBad’s mysterious death on September 12, 2023, prompted intense scrutiny and raised questions about what and who might be responsible for his untimely demise.
Numerous theories emerged surrounding the circumstances of his death, entangling Nigerian street rapper Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, and showbiz promoter Balogun Samson, alias Sam Larry, in a web of accusations. This resulted in their summons by the police in October as part of the investigation into MohBad’s death. They were subsequently released in November.
Adding to the complexity was actress Iyabo Ojo, who spearheaded a campaign for justice for the deceased. Despite the police conducting an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death, the awaited release of the autopsy report continues to deepen the mystery surrounding MohBad’s passing.
Portable, Pasuma’s Invitation to Celestial Church Praise Night
The Celestial Church of Christ, Goshen Land Cathedral, in Lagos faced criticism when it extended invitations to the controversial street-hop artist, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable and Fuji singer Pasuma for its praise event. Nigerians expressed their discontent and dismay on social media, disapproving of the church’s choice of secular artists.
In defence, the church argued that the decision was a strategic move aimed at attracting more worshippers. Initially yielding to public pressure, the church reversed its decision, only to later proceed with the original plan.
Mr Ibu’s Health Struggles and Controversies
In October, John Okafor, widely known as Mr Ibu, a beloved comic actor in Nollywood, garnered sympathy and compassion as his health deteriorated. His public plea for help resonated with Nigerians, prompting the foundation of former senate president, Bukola Saraki to extend assistance. However, his health saga was not devoid of controversies.
Amidst the outpouring of support, Mr Ibu’s wife, Stella Maris, raised concerns about access to the donations intended for his medical bills. She alleged that their adopted daughter, Jasmine, had alternative intentions for the funds. Jasmine countered these accusations, asserting that Maris intended to use the money for a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery, an iPhone, and personal expenses while her husband was still hospitalized.
Despite the discord, Mr Ibu underwent successful surgeries, including the amputation of his leg,
Toke Makinwa’s Trip to COP28
Why is Toke Makinwa a delegate at COP28? What does she know about climate change? These are some of the questions that Nigerians threw at the media personality for joining the Nigerian delegation at COP28 held in the UAE.
For these aggrieved Nigerians, Makinwa does not merit such a role, although the precise reasons for their discontent remained unclear. While Makinwa is undoubtedly knowledgeable, her critics seemed concerned that her contribution might be perceived as superficial.
Emeka Ike’s Turbulent Return to the Limelight
Nollywood actor Emeka Ike’s resurgence in the public eye brought forth a tumultuous tale of his past marriage. In a revealing interview, he asserted that his divorce from Suzanne Emma led to a downward spiral, causing depression and substantial financial setbacks. These losses included the closure of his secondary school, St. Nicholas College, and the shutdown of a significant investment totalling over N480 million. The dissolution of their marriage in 2017 was marred by Emma’s claims of physical abuse by Ike. In response, Emma and her son, Michael contested the actor’s assertions, maintaining that he exhibited abusive behaviour and other misconduct.
Unsurprisingly, celebrities find themselves divided between the two parties, contributing to the ongoing storm of controversy without a clear resolution in sight.
