Entertainment
G-5 Nollywood Actresses Plan Big For Less Privileged
A group of Nollywood A-
List Actresses known as the G-5 have resolved to continue to give help to the less privileged and the motherless babies’ homes through their various Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other charitable platforms this year. They include; Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Rita Dominio, Genevieve Nnaji, Stella Damasus and Stephanie Okereke.
It is no doubt that these Nollywood screen divas have made inroads in fame and fortune. Almost on daily basis movie buffs around the country and beyond pay glowing tributes to them. Millions of Nigerians who have been following their exploits since mother luck shone on them agree that they remain the darling of the Nigerians movie industry and most relevant with a host of others struggling to catch up with them. According to a recent media report, these veteran role interpreters have resolved to put their best. This year as well as touch on the lives of the less privileged in the society and the motherless babies homes through their Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
It is quite obvious to many that these Nollywood Super Stars have all paid their dues before attaining their present height and status. In an avenue bedeviled by ‘Man know man’ and “use what you have to get what you want, it was not bed of roses for them from the beginning but because of their perseverance they achieved success. This G-5 members include:
Omotola Jalade Ekeindo: She is probably the most luckiest amongst all of them as she hit the Jackpot from the first day she sauntered into the industry in company of a friend to a contest and turned out to be The winner. Today with over 100 movie appearances to her credit, the mother of four was the first to win the movie award (Thelma) with her debut movie mortal inheritance”, she was also voted by The Times Magazine as one of the 100 most influential persons in the world. She also emerged Africa’s shobiz personality in the year 2013.
Rita Dominic: She started her acting career in a Nollywood movie titled, “A Time To Kill, she won the city People’s award in 2004 as the most outstanding actress amongst numerous other, local and international awards, she has appeared in more than 100 movies including the best actress award by the Reel awards.
Genevieve Nnaji: Gene’s story has remained the most recurring affair in Nollywood. Hers is a chequered history, the early pregnancy that forced her to abandon secondary school, her life on the streets, frustrated and almost rejected, initial frustrations by producers, sexual harassment etc, Today every body bows for her, she was one time fare of lux soap in Africa in addition to other international awards and recognition.
She started her acting career as a child actress in the then popular television soap Opera ‘Ripples’, at the age of 8, she was also featured in several commercials some of which in chide pronto beverage and Omo detergent.
Her debut movie in Nollywood was “most wanted” subsequent movies include ‘last party’, mark of The Best’ and ‘Ijele which is still considered to be one of the best epic performances to date).
Genevieve made her history by becoming the first Nigerians actress to be profiled on the Oprah Wintrey show with strings of endorsements are top rated movies. She is believed to be the highest paid Nollywood actress and most desired in the industry.
Stella Damasus: Although Stella has been missing in Nollywood action for quite some time now, she remains the darling of many movie overs. She has dazzled in many house videos and soap operas. She is infact about the oldest face on the screen amongst the pack. Endowed with a natural voice and physique that is ever tantalizing, Stella earns more than N500,000.00 per script and remains one of the most sought after actress in Nollywood as she in a class of her own.
Stephanie Okereke: this graduate of English and literary studies from the University of Calabar as also one of the leading actresses and producers in Nollywood as well as a model in 1997, she featured in two films titled “compromise 2” and “waterloo” in 2002, she won the second position in the most beautiful girl in Nigeria beauty pageant, putting her on the map.
Stephanie was also the Real Awards best actress (English) and has featured in several movies including; private sin, Eye of the Gods, Reloaded, Adaora etc. Stephanie made her mark with the movie ‘Emotional Crack’ that premiered at the African Film Festival (New York) in April 2004 with over go films to her credit.
Stephanie is continually building her brand in the movie industry. A credit a graduate of the New York film academy, she has expanded her title to include Director, producer and writer with the introduction of her latest movie, “through the glass” which premiered in October 2008 at the pacific design centre in Hollywood, California Stephanie received a recognition award from the California state legislature and the city of Carson for the movie “through the glass”.
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.
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.
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.