Controversy has remained an integral part of the showbiz industry. Like other years, 2023 began with several Nigerian celebrities trending for negative reasons.
Below is an examination of the most controversial celebrities thus far in Nigeria as the year begins.
Alexx Ekubo And Fancy Acholonu Marital Saga
Last year, news about Alex Ekubo and his ex-fiancée, Fancy, was almost non-stop. But a fresh drama that developed between them in December of last year continued into the new year.
Many people were shocked when Fancy revealed on social media last year that her relationship, engagement, and intended marriage to the Nollywood star had ended, adding that the choice had been made in her best interest.
Fancy went back on social media in December to publicly apologize for canceling their wedding, claiming that nothing made sense without Alex, as if she had changed her mind. She said that the decision to call off the wedding was made in a rush and begged for forgiveness while adding that she now knows better how to handle circumstances. She said she had missed him terribly.
While many people were relieved that the couple was now on the path to reconciliation and marriage, particularly as Alex accepted responsibility for the situation, they received yet another stunner a few hours after the new year had begun.
On Monday, Fancy stated that Alex forced her to “apologize publicly constantly,” adding that the Nollywood actor used her for his ego. Her disclosure that Alex had resisted having sex with her for five years was the peak of her confessions.
Empress Njamah And Estranged Lover
Late last year, Nollywood star Empress Njamah shared a video on her Instagram page in which she announced her engagement to George Wade, saying, “I got engaged today, the 18th of August. O h my God. I’m officially off the market.” The man had other plans, which the actress was unaware of.
Threats and a feeble attempt at blackmail then followed, which the actress made public. She asserted that the video was recorded under duress because her fiancé, George Wade, coerced her into making.
She also mentioned how George Wade entered her life at a time when she was weak because she had just lost her friend Ada Ameh.
Wade released Empress’ naked footage as a result of his threats. He formed a WhatsApp group, invited several individuals, and started releasing videos of Empress in her home that were taken while she was naked, including ones of her having a bath.
Empress responded to the videos with a few short remarks, thus it seemed that none of these things affected her.
“Nobody can bring me down, I’m alive, love you guys for all the love, support, and messages, I’m alive, I spoke to many ladies hiding in situations like this but I spoke out and I’m alive” Empress posted on Instagram.
Lagos Concert With Burna Boy
Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy started the new year with a concert in the city of Lagos that has since raised eyebrows.
Instead of apologizing for being late for the event, the Afro-fusion artist bashed his audience.
Burna Boy came to the concert that was scheduled to start at 7pm at 3am, eight hours late. His supporters criticized his tardiness. His fans spoke against his carefree attitude towards his performances in his home country, in contrast to his punctual and competent performances abroad.
The African giant didn’t take kindly to any of the criticisms from his followers and wasted no time in responding to them. Burna took the first few minutes of his performance to scold his audience after they booed him for being late after finally taking the stage.
Burna claimed that if a younger colleague hadn’t gone down to beg him to take into account the fans who had waited more than eight hours for the paid performance, he wouldn’t have bothered to mount the stage following their outbursts. Burna Boy was then seen in a video throwing off stage a fan who attempted to climb the stage, adding insult to injury.
Actor Yomi Gold Announces Marriage Crash
On Tuesday, 3rd of January, 2023, Nollywood star Yomi Alore, also known as Yomi Gold, announced his separation from wife Ameenah. With his statement, he becomes the first celebrity to divorce in 2023. They chose to break up because “love had died in the relationship”, Gold said in a statement on his Instagram page.
He continued: “I and Meenah decided to go our separate ways.”
“Meenah is a good person. She doesn’t deserve a man like me. She will make a great and loving partner to a far better person than me. I am not perfect. I will work on myself and be a better person. This has to be published because we want everyone who knows about us to be aware of our decision. Time will be good again,” Gold said