Entertainment

New Faces Threaten Nollywood’s A-List Stars

Published

13 years ago

January 18, 2013

Acording to information gathered recently, there are two actors and two actresses that have actually become hottest faces in Nollywood and who producers are dying to use in their movies. It was reliably gathered that Charity Eke aka Cha-cha and Evelyn Esien have swept off other actresses from Asaba and Enugu movie locations and pose a big threat to their career.

The dark skino Cha-cha became very hot after the exit of top actress, Mercy Johnson Okojie who went on maternity rest. Before her maternity leave, Mercy Johnson and Tonto Dike were said to be almost the only A list actresses who were still acting movies produced in Asaba.

Within the space of one month, Cha-cha has over 20 movies already in the market. The actress who was at one time based in Abuja has almost relocated to Asaba , Delta State where almost all the Idumota market movies are produced. She has featured in movies such as. The Bank Job, Commander-in Chief, Two Hearts, Tom Bigger, A Cry for Justice, Jewel of the Sun, Mirror of Life, and Innocent Pain, amongst others.

However, Akwa-Ibom State born actress, Evelyn Esein is actually given Cha-cha a serious chase as she grabs roles that keeps her side by side with her. The actress not only has all the lead roles at her beck and call, but also gets script in the lead roles.

Evelyn who had starred in both Nigeria and Ghana movies has featured in over 40 movies including Royal War, Indecent Desire, House on Fire, Brave Minds, and many others. The light skin actress has been tagged the new potential ‘Crying Queen’ of Nollywood as she has so far cried in at least 90% of her movie roles. As a result of the professional manner in which she interprets such roles, she is fingered to succeed top actress, Nkiru Sylvanus.

In a related development, actors Yul Edochie and Liberia-cum Nollywood actor Frank Artrus have become the hottest dudes in the industry. According to sources, Yul, son of veteran movie producer, Pete Edochie is sweeping out all the actors who are working in Enugu and Delta States respectively, early last year. The competition was between him and veteran actor Kenneth, Okonkwo who spent over four months in Asaba starring in over 25 movies within a space of time.

After playing lead roles in these movies, Mr Okonkwo abandoned other scripts and left Asaba, since then, handsome Yul, has taken over all the lead roles coming from Asaba and Enugu. In the past six months, the father of three kids has featured in over 20 movies that are making waves in the market, his pocket has actually become heavy too. Among the movies he featured are: Wind of Glory, Sleek Ladies, Blood Apart, Piece of My Soul, My Confession, Beautiful Soul, Unstoppable, Pleasure, Crime etc.

Frank Artus is another actor who is posing as a big rival to Yul because of the lead roles they share. It was gathered that many times movie producers have had to keep their set pending untill, the Liberia born actor returns from his country. One of the things that make this actor hot is his ability to interpret, half nude scenes that ordinarily Nollywood actors avoid like deadly plague .

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

3 weeks ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes becomes Nollywood’s highest-grossing film of 2025, earning ?1.77bn in under four weeks.

Multi-award-winning actress and producer Funke Akindele has done it again, and this time, the numbers speak louder than applause.

Her latest film, Behind The Scenes, has officially emerged as the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2025, pulling in an astonishing ?1.767 billion in less than four weeks.

The Tide Entertainment reports that Funke Akindele Makes Box Office History as Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn
Earlier in its release cycle, the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, revealed that Behind The Scenes smashed five opening-weekend records, including the highest single-day gross ever recorded on Boxing Day, with ?129.5 million in one day. That announcement already hinted that something unusual was unfolding.

Reacting to the milestone, FilmOne described the moment as both surreal and communal, crediting audience loyalty for pushing the film to the top spot once again as the number-one movie of the weekend. And that sentiment feels accurate. This wasn’t just ticket sales; it was momentum.

What makes this achievement even more striking is that Behind The Scenes is Funke Akindele’s third film to cross the ?1 billion mark. Before now, there was A Tribe Called Judah, and then Everybody Loves Jenifa, a film that didn’t just open big, but went on to become the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time. At this point, it’s no longer a fluke. It’s a pattern.

Part of Behind The Scenes’ success lies in strategy. The film enjoyed advanced screenings on December 10 and 11, quietly building curiosity and conversation before its nationwide release on December 12. By the time it officially hit cinemas, audiences already felt like they needed to see it.

Then there’s the cast. The film brings together a lineup that feels deliberately stacked: Scarlet Gomez, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uche Montana, and several others. Familiar faces, strong fan bases, and performances that kept word-of-mouth alive long after opening weekend.

Still, beyond timing and casting, there’s something else at work here. Funke Akindele understands Nigerian audiences. Their humour, their pacing, their emotional buttons. She doesn’t guess, she calculates, experiments, listens, and refines. That understanding has slowly turned into box-office dominance.

Behind The Scenes crossing ?1.77 billion isn’t just another headline; it’s confirmation. Funke Akindele has moved from being a successful actress to becoming one of the most reliable commercial forces Nollywood has ever produced. Three-billion-naira films don’t happen by luck. They happen when storytelling, business sense, and audience trust align.

And right now, that alignment seems firmly in her hands.

Entertainment

Adekunle Gold, Simi Welcome Twin Babies

Published

3 weeks ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

Popular Nigerian music stars, Adekunle Kosoko, widely known as Adekunle Gold, and his wife, Simi, have become parents again this time to twins.

The award-winning singer shared the joyful update on his Snapchat story on Wednesday, confirming the expansion of their family.

“Asked God for another child and he blessed me double,” she wrote.

While the couple has not yet disclosed the gender of the newborns, the announcement has sparked an outpouring of warm wishes from admirers, fellow celebrities, and industry colleagues.

Speculation had intensified in December when Simi posted a video on Instagram accompanied by the caption, “From my baby, for my babies.”

The clip showed her with a growing baby bump, fueling anticipation that another child was on the way.

Their latest blessings arrive just weeks after Simi highlighted a scene from Adekunle Gold’s newly released music video, “My Love is the Same,” further stirring excitement among fans.

The Tide Entertainment reports that Adekunle Gold and Simi who tied the knot in 2019 after a long history of friendship and musical synergy remain one of Nigeria’s most admired entertainment power couples. Both artistes were once signed to X3M Music before soaring into mainstream acclaim.

The pair welcomed their first child, Adejare Kosoko, fondly called Deja, in May 2020.

Entertainment

Jesse Flames Opens 2026 With ‘Praise The Lord’ Featuring Magnito

Published

3 weeks ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

After closing out 2025 with the release of “Praise the Lord” featuring Magnito, Jesse Flames enters the new year with renewed clarity and purpose, continuing to build a body of work rooted in intention rather than noise. In a moment where Afrobeats is moving faster and louder than ever, his approach remains measured and deliberate, prioritizing meaning, craft, and longevity over momentary attention. The official music video arrives January 10.

Following the momentum of his breakout single “FLEX,” “Praise the Lord” represents a shift from celebration to grounding. Reflective and soulful, the record centers gratitude, growth, and perspective, capturing a quieter confidence that resonates beyond a single moment.

“This song is about recognizing the full picture,” Jesse shares. “The work people see and the work they don’t. The lessons, the setbacks, the growth.”

The collaboration with Magnito, a respected voice in Nigerian hip hop known for his sharp lyricism and cultural authenticity, adds depth and weight to the record, reinforcing its themes of resilience, faith, and self reflection.

Released in December at the height of Detty December, “Praise the Lord” became a natural soundtrack for both celebration and reflection as the year came to a close. With the video arriving in January, the record takes on new meaning, opening the year as a tone setter rather than a reset.

Born in the United States, raised in Festac, Lagos, and now based in London, Jesse Flames brings a global perspective to his sound, blending Afrobeats, hip hop, and melodic soul into something sleek and intentional. His music reflects lived experience and cultural nuance rather than trend chasing.

The Tide Entertainment reports that with over 11 million streams, performances at O2 Brixton Academy and OVO Arena Wembley, and coverage from The Guardian and Business Post Nigeria, Jesse’s rise has been steady and self made. Looking ahead to 2026 and 2027, he is preparing for collaborations with Ice Prince, M.I Abaga, and Smurlee.

“Praise the Lord” ft. Magnito is available now on all streaming platforms.