THE MEDIA ALMOST DESTROYED MY MARRIAGE —RAMSEY NOUAH

Ramsey Nouah is one of the most-sought-after and handsome actors in Nollywood who has been consistent in his career. Nouah who is known as ‘loverboy’ for his many roles in romantic movies, in this interview, the 2010 Africa Movie Academy Award winner for Best Actor in a leading Role shares the pathetic story of his journey into acting, the industry and why he stopped attending public functions with his family.

How did you begin your journey into the movie industry?

My journey into the movie industry actually started when I was trying to sit for my GCE examination. I didn’t have money to purchase my GCE form, and there were no jobs then. It was hard to secure menial jobs and I couldn’t bring myself to do such jobs. Later, a friend of mine advised me to try my hand at acting. But I didn’t welcome the advice because I prefer to act in Hollywood. It was funny.

BRUCE JENNER'S TRANSITION TO CAITLYN

• Why This Celebrity Transgender Event Is Different
Caitlyn Jenner’s Vanity Fair cover is raising the visibility of transgender issues to mainstream America, which could mean relief for non-celebrities in the transgender community who suffer abuse and discrimination. 
This week Caitlyn Jenner (the former Bruce Jenner) made her gender identity, new name and appearance public on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine. The appearance came on the heels of a two-hour TV interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer on April 24, in which Jenner, who referred to himself using male pronouns throughout the interview, came out as transgender and detailed his lifelong struggles with gender identity.
“For all intents and purposes, I’m a woman,” Jenner told Sawyer. “People look at me differently. They see you as this macho male, but my heart and my soul and everything that I do in life – it is part of me. That female side is part of me. That’s who I am.”
The Williams Institute, a gender studies and sexual orientation think tank at UCLA's School of Law, estimates there are 700,000 transgender people (or 0.2 percent of the total population) in the United States.

PEOPLE DIDN’T EXPECT OUR MARRIAGE TO LAST — KEVIN AND ELIZABETH PAM

They were both in Big Brother Africa 2009 edition. Then, Kevin Chuwang Pam emerged winner. Now married to former Elizabeth Gupta, another BBA housemate, they speak about their marriage

When and how did you meet?

Kevin: We met in 2009 on the Big Brother Africa reality show.

When did you decide to marry her?

Kevin: I took the decision as soon as I stepped out to the real world looking at the need to be more responsible and focused. She was a perfect match to make my dreams come true. I would say I am the most favoured housemate that Big Brother has ever produced. I did not only win, I found fame, fortune and a life partner. What more can I ask for? My wife is the best thing to ever happen to me.

Elizabeth: His proposal shocked me because I felt it was too soon and we dated for only three months after BBA. Initially, I thought it was because of pressure from our fans and I wasn’t too sure he knew what he was doing. I kept asking if he really wanted to settle down after the fame or if we would just get into the marriage and get out.

Why did you agree to marry him?

56-YEAR-OLD MADONNA GOES TOPLESS IN INTERVIEW MAGAZINE; TALKS DEATH, DRUG USE, FAILING & MORE

Age is nothing but a number for pop star Madonna.

The 56-year-old entertainer is featured in the latest issue of Interview magazineand there is a particular picture that shows her topless that has got the Internet buzzing all morning.

Wearing a bustier and a half-cardigan, Madonna certainly lets everything hang.

Also in the magazine, she talks about death, fear of failing, drug use and more.

Read excerpts from her interview and more pics below:

KIM K POSED COMPLETELY FULL FRONTAL NUDE FOR PAPER MAGAZINE

Kim Kardashian is full of surprises! After gracing the cover ofVogue magazine, Kardashian shows a full-frontal in Paper Magazine’s Winter Issue – Break The Internet, which hits newsstands on Nov. 19. Needless to say, the star of “Keeping up with the Kardashians” leaves nothing to the imagination! The photos were shot by famed photographer Jean-Paul Goudein Sept. while she was in Paris for Fashion Week. See more revealing pics after the cut…

DILLISH TURNS NIGERIA TO HER HOME

Pretty and sexy Dillish Mathews became famous when she made it to the top and was announced the winner of the 2013 edition of Big Brother Africa reality show.

The show has since opened doors and brought her more fame and fortune. The sexy Namibian, who is also known for her curves, is virtually living in Nigeria these days. She has been spotted at many events and features in musical videos of top artistes like Flavour.

In a chat, she spoke about her love for Nigeria and Nigerians, saying; “I get lots of free stuff and more smiles from people here. Sincerely, the love and support have been overwhelming and I hope and pray it continues to grow. It has opened a lot of doors for me and people here are more willing to do business with me now, and that’s important to me.”

AKON PERFORMS IN GIANT BUBBLE TO AVOID EBOLA

In an effort to guard against contracting the Ebola Virus Disease, a United States-based R&B star, Akon, last Sunday climbed inside an airtight blow-up during a performance in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.
The singer rolled over the crowd, pushed along by the outstretched hands of 60,000 screaming concert-goers while performing at a concert.
The performance was part of a larger free concert held by charity, ‘Peace One Day,’ to help promote and support the United Nations’ International Day Of Peace.
Akon was, however, accused of going to extreme lengths to avoid catching Ebola during a concert in Africa by crowd-surfing inside a giant plastic bubble.

"I'M DISAPPOINTED NO SECULAR ARTISTE CAME FOR KEFEE'S BURIAL' - DADDY SHOWKEY

 In an interview with Leadership newspapers, Daddy Showkey expressed his disappointment at many Nigerian artists who didn't bother to attend Kefee's burial. He also talked about the time he was sick, and how none of his colleagues bothered to see how he was doing. He says he has no friends in the entertainment industry. Find below...

"I was disappointed that artistes did not come to show love to their own. It is not a good thing. The lady died and it is sad for her family. Musicians ought to have showed up and rallied round her people, to show that they care. It was only the gospel musicians that showed up, meaning there is no love in this industry. Nobody cares about you if you drop dead tomorrow. I told you I was away for 3 years because of my spinal cord injury. Nobody came to visit me during that time. No one from my generation of singers came to identify with me and that is bad for a man who has given much to the industry. This makes me think that we don’t care about ourselves in this industry. As the Yoruba people say, Oju aaye ni a nse o meaning, na eye service we dey do to oursefu!"he said. Continue

I WEPT DAY I MARRIED TUFACE–ANNIE IDIBIA

Life couldn’t be sweeter. Today, she is married to one of the biggest names in Nigerian entertainment while she is a fast growing brand in Nollywood. However, once upon a time, the goings were rough for actress and mother of two, Annie Macaulay Idibia. In this exclusive chat, Annie shares her growing up experiences and sacrifices her mother made after they were abandoned by their father. She also opened up on her acting career and marriage to Tuface Idibia.

Excerpts:

Ordinarily, people would expect to see the pompous wife of a big star like Tuface but that does not seem to be the case with you. You’re so humble?

Thanks for the compliment. I am a very playful and down-to-earth person though, there are times I prefer keeping to myself in order to avoid people taking advantage or abusing me. However, I am a very simple person. I am from Eket, Akwa Ibom State. I am from a family of four children; three brothers and myself, the only daughter of the family. My mum and dad divorced 20 years ago.

I HAVE NEVER TAKEN ALCOHOL IN MY ENTIRE LIFE —JENNIFER HUDSON

These days, our knowledge of celebrities too often originates with paparazzi images and snarky quotes by anonymous “insiders.” After a while, it’s easy to forget that stars are real people. When she auditioned for “American Idol” in 2004, a fresh-faced Jennifer Hudson admitted to the judges that she had just finished work singing on a Disney cruise ship. “We’re going to expect something better than a cruise ship performance, right, today?” Randy Jackson grilled her. “Yeah, definitely that,” Hudson said.

Ten years later, with a couple of Grammys and an Oscar under her belt, 32-year-old Hudson has come full circle: she’s one of the marquee names set to perform at 49 port stops for the Carnival LIVE Concert Series in the next year, joining the likes of Gavin DeGraw, Jewel and Lady Antebellum as part of the cruise company’s effort to spice up their already wildly popular vacation packages. Before a powerful performance at New York’s The Cutting Room, where she sang favourites such as “One Night Only” and “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” Hudson took some time out of her increasingly busy schedule to talk to Huffington Post Celebrity’s reporters. Excerpts:

ZEBRUDAYA GOES BACK TO SCHOOL

Chief Chika Okpalla, alias ‘Zebrudaya’ is one of the foremost Nigerian comedians, who held sway in the 1970’s and 1980’s with his group in the television show, ‘New Masquerade’. Despite modernity to television acting, he has remained active in the entertainment industry as he now acts in home video and engages in television commercials.
He is a strong believer that the much watched teledrama ‘New Masquerade’ TV show will bounce back with a great bang. He has remained in the industry in spite of the death of most of those he co-starred with in the old Masquerade programme.
Despite the temptation, he has bluntly refused to partake or feature in the current craze of producing ‘Nigerian home videos’. Rather, Chief Chika Okpalla has successfully opened and owns his private studio at Ugbene Enugu, from where he produces commercial advert copies for clients in the struggle for survival and making ends meet.

THE WORST YET? RIHANNA ATTENDS FASHION SHOW IN SEE-THROUGH SHEER DRESS

I think the reason she gets away with this easily is because she's one of the biggest pop stars in the world. Imagine if it were a reality star, struggling singer, upcoming actress or video vixen dressing this way, people will be too quick to call her trash. Not impressed with this dress.
The singer wore this see through custom-made shear embellished halter dress by Adam Selman to the Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards yesterday. The dress is embellished with 216,000 Swarovski crystals and she rocked it with a matching sparkly turban. She wore a flesh colored thong to cover her herself up but had no bra on. She was honoured with the Fashion Icon Award......More pics after the cut...

NOLLYWOOD GIANT AMAKA IGWE OF ‘CHECKMATE’ AND ‘FUJI HOUSE OF COMMOTION’ FAME DIES ON DUTY

Foremost producer, writer, director and a leading player in the Nigerian motion picture industry, Amaka Igwe, is dead.
Information from Enugu in Nigeria’s South-East said she died of an asthma attack while on a pre-production duty of an Igbo soap. Amaka, who was based in Lagos, was said to have, made the trip in company of Charles Igwe, her husband of 21 years who is in charge of the business angle of the family’s well regarded production company, bringing to bear his experience as a banker in the management of the company.
Amaka is easily remembered for her great soaps such as Checkmate and Fuji House of Commotion, as well as for hit movies like Violated.
Born 56 years ago to Isaac Ene, a retired civil engineer from Obinagu-Udi in Enugu State whom Amaka described as ‘very principled’, Amaka whom her father called GOC (General Officer Commanding) because of the leadership trait she exhibited as a tot, was born and bred in Enugu.

P-SQUARE'S FIGHT GETS MESSIER: DETAILS OF WHAT CAUSED THE FIGHT

All may truly not be well with P-Square as their fight gets even messier than we'd thought.
The news of their breakup went viral yesterday but their publicist, Bayo Adetu debunked the gist, saying it was some handiwork of mischief bloggers.
And now, a source close to the Okoyes disclosed to Linda Ikeji what actually caused the fight between the brothers and at the moment, there seems to be no hope of reconciliation as Peter had moved his family out of the home he shared with his brothers. They are also at the verge of sharing their properties.
Read details below:

FEMI KUTI: MY CRASHED MARRIAGE: THE TRUE STORY

Afrobeat maestro, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, has finally opened up on his crashed marriage. The musician, who is currently in Paris, France where he is due to perform at the biggest African music festival in Europe, went down memory lane and recalled how he met and married Funke, his ex-wife and mother of his first son, Made. He also spoke about other intimate issues. It is vintage Femi – candid, honest and brutally frank! Enjoy it.

What has been your experience in collaborating with musicians like Wizkid and the rest?

It is okay.

Did you expect the kind of acceptance ‘Jaiye Jaiye’ is receiving?

Yes, because I know what I put inside. It is like cooking a pot of soup without putting spices that will make it sweet, it will just be an ordinary pot of soup. People might like it because they are hungry to eat. It was already a good music I just put a bit of energy that enhanced creativity and that was easy because I already like the music.

RAPE SCANDAL LATEST: POLICE EXONERATES OBESERE

Fuji music star, Abass Akande Obesere, embroiled in an alleged rape scandal has been declared innocent of the grievous offence.
According to a report, the Nigeria Police through Ms. Ngozi Braide, Lagos State Command Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, has given the Fuji musician, a clean bill of health on the rape scandal.
She stated that police investigations revealed that it was a case of frame-up and the accuser (Olanike Olaiya) is a “blackmailer and extortioner”, thus absolved Obesere of any culpability.
“The investigation so far carried out shows that it was a frame-up because the lady has refused to honour police invitation. And we have a doctor’s report that showed that she was not raped. Before you prosecute a case of rape, there are certain facts that must be proved,” Braide was quoted.

OBESERE COMMERCIALISES ‘RAPE SCANDAL’ WITH VCD RELEASE...

Obesere commercialises ‘Rape Scandal’ with VCD release Posted by: Editor March 31, 2014 in Bang Showbiz, News 1 Comment 1 By Osagie Alonge Innocent Upon Proven Guilty: Abass Akande Obesere says he has exposed the alleged rape victim with the release of his new DVD. Photo: Digital Interactive Media Abass Akande Obesere is not only going all out to prove the recent rape allegations levelled against him are entirely false, he’s also hoping to benefit promotionally and commercially from the scandal. The Nigerian Fuji Star has released a DVD detailing his innocence, claiming he wants to expose his accusers. Titled ‘Rape Scandal’ (Kosẹlẹri), the VCD’s cover artwork features a photo the alleged rape victim Olanike Olaiya, an elderly lady Alhaja Bola Omo Owo (the woman believed to have linked Obesere and Nike up) and the Fuji singer himself. Kosẹlẹri translated into English means ‘it can never happen‘. Obesere, reports say, made sure both women’s faces were featured on the cover so his numerous fans could believe his story.

NEW MICHAEL JACKSON ALBUM RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCED

There's a new Michael Jackson album...five years after his death. Sony and Epic Records today announced a plan to release a posthumous Michael Jackson album titled Xscape
Epic CEO L.A. Reid handpicked eight previously unreleased tracks by Michael Jackson, which have been 'contemporized for modern ears' and added new production by Timbaland and Rodney Jerkins.
The album drops May 13th. 

GOVERNMENT SHOULD STOP GIVING ACTORS MONEY —JOHN OKAFOR

Nollywood actor, John Okafor, berates some of his colleagues for receiving money from government in this interview with Punch
POPULAR actor, John Okafor has decried the absence of adequate structures in Nollywood.
Also he criticised the recent visit of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria to President Goodluck Jonathan, which did not appear to go down well with some people who queried the motive in the first place.
For these critics, the actors only went to grab a ‘piece of the national cake.’ And though the actors concerned have since defended their decision to pay the President a courtesy visit, popular Nigerian comic actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, is still not pleased.
According to the actor who rose to prominence after his breakout role in the 1997 movie, Agony, where he portrayed an imbecile, the Federal Government has yet to set its priorities right with regard to Nollywood.

JANET JACKSON PLANNING TO DIVORCE BILLIONAIRE HUBBY AFTER JUST 1YEAR?

According to reports Janet Jackson is preparing to divorce her billionaire husband Wissam Al Mana after just one year of marriage...

From The National Enquirer 

“Janet is ready to throw in the towel,” disclosed an insider. “She’s realized she made a colossal mistake in marrying Wissam. Janet gave up her career to be a dutiful wife – and she even took up Islam for him.”

But Wissam,39, who comes for the Middle Eastern State of Qatar, hasn’t made any sacrifices for his 47-year-old wife, according to the insider, who adds: “He travels constantly for work, and Janet wonders if he’s been tempted to stray.”

“She’s confided to a few close friends and (her mother) that she’s preparing to leave him. And she’s been calling friends at all hours, crying and saying how miserable she is.”

As the Enquirer reported Wissam had demanded Janet sign a prenup. She wanted a guaranteed $500 million if the marriage failed before two years, but Wissam held out and said he wouldn’t pay her a dime unless it lasted at least five years.

Now sources say Janet is getting set to challenge the prenup and demand a fat lump sum payout from his fortune. “Her argument is that she gave up millions in earnings for her husband,” explained the insider. “Janet isn’t going to give Wissam a dime of her hard-earned cash. However, she’s going to fight tooth and nail for a chunk of his!”