Entertainment

Stella Damasus, Stephanie Okereke Relish Marital Bliss

Published

8 years ago

July 28, 2017

In an age where celebrity marriages are beginning to fail for one reason or the other, Nollywood actress, Stella Damasus has been married three times, but people did not know the trauma she has had to overcome. She recently revealed how people often mocked her, but today she is grateful for her husband, Daniel Ademinokan.
The actress and her film director-husband, Daniel Ademinokan took to instagram to share how much they love each other. Daniel had earlier written that Stella has shown him what it means to be really loved and for this, he would remain grateful.
Stella then responded by writing on how people often laughed at her because she had been married three times. She was once married to Jaiye Aboderin, Laure Nzeribe and Daniel Ademinokan who is hubby number three. She posted thus:
“@dabishop007.honey, words cannot express how you have made me feel. When people laughed at me, and called me names, saying I have been married three times, it hurt me, but in my heart I know it was worth it. Taking a chance on love again was risky for me, but only God knows how many nights I cried and told him if it was not meant to be he should close the chapter”.
“When I met you I found a friend, a father, a brother, a confidant and a business partner I didn’t know God had plans for me, plans that were better than the ones I actually prayed for. Thank you for coming into our lives, you are the most romantic, appreciative, kind, loving, caring and understanding husband any woman can ask for. You also helped me through my healing process.
“The girls love you so much for being an amazing dad and friend. I dey come back in two days O! Tell Shikaru and the rest say the owner of your sact na kolo o, make dem no try me. When I get better thing, I dey hold am tight. I no dey take am play football lie lie, I love you boo, see you soon”.
In a related development, Nollywood actress, Stephanie Okereke-Linus has also spoken out about how she is enjoying her second marriage. She also revealed that she has no regrets about being Mrs Linus Idahosa. The mother of one also spoke about not giving birth on time.
Stephanie has had her fair share of marital crisis as her marriage to ex-footballer, Chikelu Illoanusi packed up under spurious circumstances, but her second marriage to Linus Idahosa is doing well.
Speaking in a recent interview, Stephanie revealed that she was enjoying her marriage and she had no regrets marrying at the time she did. “Marriage has been a wonderful experience all the way. I am happy that I am with someone I love and we are both excited to be sharing the rest of our lives with each other. I have no regrets about getting married at the time I did as I believe that God’s time is the best”, she said.
Asked if she felt any pressure for delaying the birth of her son, she said she did work with anybody’s time. “Like I have stated before, it was a personal decision between me and my husband, I do not work with anybody else’s time, so far. I know what is good for me, I will go for it.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

3 hours 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 hours 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 hours 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.