Entertainment
Grass To Grace The AY Story
Nigerian Comedian, Ayo Makun popularly known as Ay has trended on the news today, following a report which claims that his wife, Mabel has left him. While Mabel has deleted her Instagram account, the rib-cracker reacted to the report, saying that it is only a ‘gossip’ from jealous fellows who are not happy with his success.
However, here are 10 things you probably do not know about AY.
AY has been married more than six years to Mabel Makun, a director at Corporate World Entertainment LTd. AY met his wife at University when he was putting on “The Most Beautiful Girl in DELSU” (Delta State University) beauty contest and was trying to get Mabel to be part of it. Mabel turned the pageant down because she was too busy with schoolwork at the time. They have a daughter, Michelle.
AY admitted to Nigeria Films. com that getting married seemed to land him more female fans.
A Nigerian Pastor and leading televangelist, Rev. Chris Okotie, is often the subject of AY jokes. When asked why he began mimicking Okotie, AY told Nigerians Films com “I love to mimic him because of his person, character and good command of English. I decided to do that while his sermon tagged, ‘Apocalypses’ was on the TV. I wanted to do a joke people could relate with then and that was how it started”.
At his University in Delta State, AY won the award for Most Fashionable Student on Campus, Most celebrated students on campus and best showbiz promoter. He also won the Most Celebrated Theatre Arts Student award and the Jaycee Club Socio-Cultural personality award.
AY studied theatre arts in university and as a child he was the head of the drama team at his church. AY was in charge of casting and directing his church productions. In university, he went on to contribute jokes to the Delta State Radio Station.
Growing up, before getting into event planning-AY worked as a dry cleaner, bartender, a scavenger and a barber. He calls himself “a product of the street”.
AY got his start as a personal assistant to comedy legend Ali Baba. The two met when AY invited Ali Baba to perform in a comedy show he was organizing at his university. Ali Baba was so impressed with AY’s organisational skills he invited him to work for him in Lagos, Nigeria where he gave him accommodation and a job as personal assistant and event manager. AY eventually went on to open at shows for Ali Baba.
Today, he has risen to be the Chief Executive Officer at Corporate World Entertainment and earns around $1.7 million per year.
One of AY’s first breakthrough moments wasn’t planned. At the “Made in Warri” 2005 show, Ali Baba surprised AY by calling him on stage and asking him to perform for five minutes. Organisers didn’t know this would happen. AY did so well that he was officially invited back for the next show.
AY is the oldest son in a family of seven children. His family is from Ifon in the Ondo State of Nigeria, but he was raised in the Delta State. He and his wife come from different tribes but their families never showed any issue with that.
Mabel Makun said in an interview with My New HitMan Writes. Com that she was impressed when she learned that AY managed to stay very focused while at Delta State University, even though he’d recently lose his parents when they met.
The Tide Entertainment reports that International stars Busta Rhymes and Gunna topped the bill, while the festival showcased a powerhouse roster of African talent including Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Shenseea, Phyno, Fave, Juma Jux, Qing Madi, and Diamond Platnumz, among others.
The festival launched December 7 with an eye-catching opening ceremony featuring aerial ballet performers, establishing an elevated artistic vision for the weeks ahead. That first night brought Nigerian heavyweights Wande Coal, Young Jonn, Ice Prince, Darey, Fola, Shoday, and Jerry Shaffer to the stage.
The Federal Ministry of Art and Culture partnered with the festival, with Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa acknowledging Detty December Fest as a vital force in Nigeria’s cultural landscape. She emphasized its impact on amplifying the country’s creative presence internationally and driving holiday tourism.
The 2025 edition raised the bar for live entertainment in Lagos, building on Detty December’s established reputation as a catalyst for tourism, entertainment, and economic growth during the year-end season.
The milestone was confirmed on Monday by FilmOne, the movie’s distributor, who announced that the film is now the fastest title in West Africa to cross ?1 billion. The achievement further cements Akindele’s dominance in the Nigerian film industry.
Since its release, Behind the Scenes has shattered multiple records. It posted the highest single-day box office gross ever on Boxing Day, earning an impressive ?129.5 million. It is also the highest-grossing film of 2025 so far, and remarkably, it marks Akindele’s third movie to cross the ?1 billion mark, a feat no other director has achieved.
The Tide Entertainment reports that with this latest success, Akindele has strengthened her position as Nollywood’s highest-grossing producer of all time, becoming the first filmmaker to deliver three billion-naira blockbusters within a single calendar year.
Reacting to the achievement, the actress and filmmaker expressed heartfelt gratitude to her supporters, collaborators, and distributors, while also revealing the film’s growing international reach.
“Over the years, I’ve always valued my fans, because without God and you, I am nobody,” she wrote.“Thank you all for coming out to watch this movie and for supporting my brand through the years.Thank you to the distributors, my colleagues—especially those not in the movie who still came out to meet and greet my fans.Big love to the cast and crew. This is only the beginning; let’s take Behind the Scenes even further.”
She also disclosed that the film is currently screening in cinemas across two European countries and the United States, signaling its expanding global appeal.
Akindele’s box office dominance has been nothing short of historic. In 2023, Battle on Buka Street became Nollywood’s highest-grossing film with ?640 million. She raised the bar again in January 2024 when A Tribe Called Judah became the first Nigerian movie to hit ?1 billion. Later that year, Everybody Loves Jenifa broke another record, grossing ?1.6 billion to become the highest-earning film in West African history.
Nigerian singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face, has revealed his former bandmate Faze’s position in the long-running rift between him and their other ex-bandmate, Blackface.
The Tide Entertainment recalls that Blackface and 2Face have been involved in an on-and-off feud over the years, with the former repeatedly accusing the latter of intellectual property theft, allegations 2Face has consistently denied.
Addressing fans midway through his performance at the Made in Benue Festival in Makurdi recently, 2Face said Faze has maintained a neutral stance in the dispute between him and Blackface.
He stressed that the rift does not involve Faze in any way.
“You all know that Plantashun Boiz consisted of Blackface, 2Face and Faze. But due to some unforeseen circumstances, Blackface is not with us right now.
“However, no matter the beef wey me and Blackface get, nothing concern Faze inside. So, Faze is right here with me and we will represent Plantashun Boiz,” he said.
The rift between Blackface and 2Face began after Plantashun Boiz disbanded in the 2000s.
Following their split, Blackface blamed 2Face for the breakup and accused him of song theft.
The relationship between the duo has remained strained over the years despite several attempts at reconciliation, with peace efforts often short-lived.
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