Basketmouth buys Honda Crosstour for his wife as birthday gift

The comedian, who is one of the most traveled Nigerian entertainers, bought a brand new 2013 Honda Crosstour for his wife as her birthday gift. Elsie Uzoma Okpocha was a year older on July 14th.

tundeola.com

Funke Akindele was unlucky – Actors guild

Funke Akindele
The Actors Guild of Nigeria has expressed concern over the controversy surrounding the break in the marriage between popular Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, and her husband, Mr. Almaroof Oloyede, describing the development as “unfortunate.”

The Chairman of AGN, FCT, Abuja chapter, Mr. Onwurah Agility, in an interview with SUNDAY PUNCH said some marriages were not meant to be.

He said, “Because I am an actor does not mean I have to die in my marriage if it is not working out. We are humans like others, blood runs in our veins like other people.

“Marriage in Nollywood is not different from other marriages. But because we are the mirror of the society, the face of the screen and role models to many, if there is a problem in our marriage, it makes noise more than any other. There are many people in the industry that have been married for many years without separating.

“What happened to Funke (Akindele) is unfortunate but like she said, may be they were not to be husband and wife and she has learnt her lessons. It could have been anybody.

“The theory and stories that actors’ marriages don’t last are very wrong. I have been married for five years and still counting, likewise so many other actors in the industry.”

Akindele, had while confirming the crash of her marriage, said she had learnt from her mistakes and had no grudge against her former husband.

 

culled from punch

Justin Bieber in new spit storm

Spitting image … Justin on balcony in Instagram snap

JUSTIN Bieber has sparked a new spitting storm after gobbing from the balcony of a hotel – as crowds of fans gathered outside it.

The 19-year-old was caught on camera launching a saliva bomb from the Toronto hotel as a pal laughs at his antics.

The snaps were posted on American website TMZ, just a week after a DJ in Ohio accused the singer of spitting in his face during an altercation.

In January, a woman claimed he or one of his entourage spat into her drink after an encounter in a North Carolina gym – although Justin’s spokesman denied the claim.

Julius Aghahowa’s 11 year old daughter makes Nollywood debut

Former Super Eagles player Julius Aghahowa’s 11 year old daughter, Isabelle Aghahowa has made her acting debut in Nollywood, playing the role of identical twins separated at birth and given to two different mothers in Uche Jombo’s new movie ‘Unconditional’. Isabelle plays the dual role of Dakore’s daughter and Uche Jombo’s daughter in the movie. More pics below….

 

 

: tundeola

Miss Bayelsa wins MBGN, becomes gov’s aide

Anna E Banner

 

EIGHTEEN-year-old Anna Banner has been crowned the 26th Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria.

The young lady, who contested as Miss Bayelsa on Saturday night, received the crown from her predecessor, Isabella Ayuk, at  the grand finale  in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The 5.6-foot  fair complexioned  teenager  beat  Stephanie Okwu (Miss Imo) and Powede Lawrence(Miss Adamawa)  to the second and  third  positions respectively,  at the event marked by musical performances and motivational talks.

With the victory, Banner won a brand new car. She will  represent Nigeria at the Miss World 2013 finale in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The pageant,  organised by Silverbird Group,  was hosted by the Bayelsa State Government in Yenagoa.

Speaking shortly after she was crowned, Banner,  who  disclosed that she was “temporarily pleasantly shocked” when she was declared the winner,  described the feat as a product of a long -cherished dream.

She urged children and  youths to be faithful to their dreams, saying, “You will never know where you will be tomorrow.”

Host Governor  Seriake Dickson  saluted all the 32 contestants that took part in the pageant and lauded the  Bruce family for their commitment to the growth of  the  entertainment  industry in the country.

Dickson said the contestants had the opportunity to visit  tourist centres in the state during the two weeks they stayed there.

He added that the state would host another edition of the pageant holding in September to mark Nigeria’s centenary, and the other ones in the coming years.

“We are doing this to demonstrate our commitment to tourism development as another avenue for generating revenue outside oil. We look forward to hosting the MGBN annually and winners will be cultural ambassadors of our state,” the governor  added.

Dickson made  Banner  an honorary special assistant on tourism and culture.

Also at the event were the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, star actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde and   a former coach of the Super Eagles, Samson Siasia.

 

Culled From Punch

I’ve learnt from my mistakes – Funke Akindele

culled from Punch

Popular Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, has said she bears no grudge against her estranged husband, Almaroof Oloyede. She said also she has learnt from her mistakes in her crashed marriage to him.

“Yes my marriage has crashed. Let the people who are laughing at me continue laughing. My job, after all, is to make people laugh. Let those who are without sins or mistakes cast the first stone. Let them continue judging me. God is the overall judge; He is the one I look up to,” she said in an interview with blogger, Stella Dimoko Korkus, on Saturday.

“It’s my private life. I know I am a public figure but I am entitled to some privacy, at least. What has happened has happened; no one is beyond mistakes. I will take corrections from this and apply where necessary from now on. I bear Mr. Kehinde Oloyede no ill feelings,” Akindele stated.

The actress, popularly known as Jenifa, also denied falsifying reports of the marriage crash and threats to sue the media.

Akindele said contrary to earlier reports, she had not been picking calls due to her busy schedule. “I will address this issue now and, thereafter, face my career and try to concentrate on the things I have on my plate at the moment.”

Meanwhile, Akindele removed Oloyede from all her social media account names especially Facebook and Twitter.

Her husband had last Monday, purportedly posted a message on his Facebook page, announcing the breakup.

“It’s with heavy heart that I am announcing the separation of me and my wife, Mrs. Olufunke Akindele. We’ve both agreed to go our separate ways because of irreconcilable differences. We are still best of friends and we would forever remain good friends,” the post read.

The post was said deleted shortly after.

Oloyede was said to have posted another message, “Am doing just fine and getting along without you. Don’t need you anymore in my life. You are the greatest mistake I have made in recent time…Kehinde Oloyede.”

These were followed by reported rebuttals from Akindele.

Akindele’s elder sister, manager, and Principal Consultant, NEECEE Entertainment, Ayo Ola-Muhammed, however, issued a press release on behalf of the actress on Friday.

It read, “Dear friends, on behalf of our client, star actress, Funke Akindele, we want to formally inform you that after due consultation and consideration, she’s now separated from Mr. Kehinde Oloyede as his wife.

“She, hereby, urges her fans and all concerned to pray and wish her the best as she moves on in her career. Kindly note that this is the first and only official statement from Funke Akindele on the matter, and will be glad if her wish is respected. Thank you.”

After Paparazzi Row

US rapper Kanye West was arrested in Newcastle in the early hours of this morning (November 14th) following an altercation with a photographer.

West is understood to have got into a scuffle with a paparazzo outside the Tup Tup nightclub after his concert in the city.

A police spokesperson told the BBC that a 31-year-old man was “released with no further action”.

In September, West and his road manager, Don Crowley, were both arrested and charged over an incident involving two photographers at Los Angeles International Airport.

West and Crowley were captured on video smashing a photographers camera at the American Airlines terminal as they waited to board a flight to Hawaii.

After realising they had been caught on video, Crowley then pursued the film-maker and grabbed his camera, causing exterior damage to the device.

A spokesperson for West had not responded to Gigwise when this story went to press.

West is currently touring in the United Kingdom in support of his new album ‘808s and Heartbreak’. You can see highlights from his recent show in Liverpool below.

 

Cory Monteith found dead

Star of Glee found dead in hotel room in Canada

Tragic … actor Cory Monteith

GLEE star Cory Monteith has been found dead in a hotel room in Canada.

The troubled actor — famous as heartthrob Finn Hudson in the smash hit TV series — had recently spent time in a rehab clinic for substance addiction.

Staff at Vancouver’s luxury Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel discovered his lifeless body on Saturday afternoon local time.

 

Happy couple … Cory with Glee co-star and real-life girlfriend Lea Michele

WENN

Cops said the 31-year-old had been out with friends the night before and was found dead after he failed to check out of his room on the 21st floor.

Deputy Police Chief Doug Lepard said there was no indication of foul play. A post mortem is due to take place on Monday.

Tributes poured in for the tragic star today.

Glee co-star Dot-Marie Jones, who plays football coach Shannon Beiste, said on Twitter: “I have no words! My heart is broken.”

She described Cory a “hell of a friend” and an “amazing” man.

 

Luxury …. star was found dead at the Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver

Zooey Deschanel, star of sitcom New Girl, tweeted: “What an absolutely tragic loss of a very talented young man.”

20th Century Fox Television, which makes Glee, paid tribute to the actor as “an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person. He was a true joy to work with and we will all miss him tremendously.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”

Monteith’s PR representatives said in a statement: “We are in shock and mourning this tragic loss.”

In April, Monteith admitted himself to a treatment facility for “substance addiction” and asked for privacy as he took steps toward recovery, a representative said at the time.

Lea Michele, his Glee co-star and real-life girlfriend, told a magazine how she loved and supported him and was proud he was seeking help.

It was not Monteith’s first time in rehab. He first received treatment when he was just 19 and has talked about his addiction struggles, saying he had a serious problem and took just “anything and everything.”

He told Parade magazine in 2011 that he was “lucky to be alive.”

 

Star … Cory Monteith at awards bash in 2010

The Canadian born actor shot to fame in 2009 starring in Glee as a high school football player who joins a singing club.

The show became a worldwide hit and Monteith was among the cast favourites who remained series regulars as their characters graduated high school and moved on to other adventures.

In a 2010 interview he said he was upbeat about life and said if Glee were to be cancelled he would be fine.

He said: “I’ve never been afraid of working, I’ve never been afraid of auditioning for jobs.

“Obviously, I’ve never been afraid of anonymity. I was happy (before Glee). I’m happy now. I guess I’m well adjusted.”

Within minutes of reports of his death early today tributes were coming in on Twitter under the hashtag #CoryMonteith.

Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco told of her shock on the social media site, saying there were “no words”.

 

Culled from Sun.UK

Tonto Dike: NDLEA probes more celebrities for hard drugs

Tonto Dikeh

The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said it is keeping tabs on more celebrities in Nollywood and the music industry for drug trafficking, abuse and links with drug cartels.

The agency said the move became necessary, following its investigation into the activities of controversial actress and singer, Tonto Dikeh, for possible consumption of hard drugs.

Dikeh had on June 28, 2013, posted photographs of a wrap of hemp and grains of the weed formed into the letters, ‘Happy birthday POKO.’

She also posted a photograph of herself with the inscription, ‘Mi smoke ganja mi smoke weed while my haterz smoke ma gossip.’

In an interview with our correspondent on Friday, the Head, Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, saidthat Nollywood stars had been prosecuted for drug-related offences.

He said, “We are beaming our searchlight on more celebrities with regard to drug trafficking and abuse.

“The arrest and conviction of Nollywood stars, Hassanat Akinwande, popularly known as Wunmi, and Tochi Uche have clearly shown that some members in the sector are vulnerable and susceptible to manipulation by drug cartels.

“We have a responsibility to investigate and identify anyone involved in drug trafficking and use.  We are deeply concerned, when such personalities are linked with drugs because of their large number of fans.”

Ofoyeju said the implication of having celebrities dealing in hard drugs was that their fans might like to act like their role models.

He added that the improper conduct of a celebrity might have “ripple effects” on their followers.

“This will not be treated with kid gloves. It is counterproductive to the country’s drug abuse prevention campaign. Any breach of the NDLEA Act will not be condoned,” he stated.

The NDLEA spokesman said sniffer dogs had been instrumental to major drug seizures in the country.

“The heroin hidden inside woollen rug carpets imported from Pakistan was detected by the sniffer dogs.  The dogs help to detect drugs that ordinarily are difficult to uncover, using normal search techniques,” he said.

He further said the agency had not recorded any drug seizure on private jets, adding, “We are taking measures to ensure that drug trafficking cartels do not use such jets.”

NDLEA, which said it would investigate Dikeh, had hinted that the actress and singer risked a minimum of 15 years in jail for allegedly encouraging the consumption of hemp.

She, however, denied using the weed, saying the photos were ‘photoshopped.’

Culled from punch

Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose tie the knot in low-key ceremony

 

Married … Wiz and Amber have tied the knot

Splash

By AYEESHA WALSH

Published: 08th July 2013

 

WIZ Khalifa and his fiance Amber Rose have married in secret.

The rapper and his model girlfriend exchanged vows in a low-key courthouse ceremony in Los Angeles earlier today.

Wiz revealed the news to fans on Twitter writing: “Me and Amber got married today. Weddings this fall. Thought I’d let yall know.”

Amber then excitedly wrote to her own fans on the social networking site: “Yay me & my Baby are officially married!!!”

Wiz has recently revealed that the couple are planning a more lavish ceremony for later this year when Amber has had a chance to regain her figure following the birth of their son Sebastian in February.

He told America’s Sister 2 Sister magazine, “She wants to look perfect in her dress. She doesn’t want her dress to fit her ‘after baby’ body. She wants it to fit her regular body.”