Entertainment

Rise And Rise Of Nollywood’s ‘Fresh Faces’

Published

5 years ago

March 19, 2021

It will be in order to describe them as ‘emerging actors,’ some five to seven years ago. But today, some of these talents have stepped up so well and have been blazing the trail and pulling their own strings. Here is a quick pick of some of yesterday’s ‘fresh faces’ that have become regular faces on the screen and constant visitors to several homes with their stunning movie run.
Zainab Balogun
A notable television show host and co-founder of The J-ist TV, an online entertainment web series that highlights African culture and a range of topical issues, Zainab had made steady inroads into the Nigerian motion picture scene. Blessed with beauty and brain, the native of Abeokuta in Ogun State, who attended the University of Kent in Medway where she received a Bachelor of Law degree (LLB), has appeared in several shows including BBC One’s Material Girl, a 2012 Bollywood movie Cocktail, the Charlatans by Ashley Waters and a 2011 appearance in Christopher Nolan’s film, The Dark Knight Rises.
Back on home soil, the two-time winner of the Exquisite Lady of the Year (ELOY) award for television presentation (2013/2014) has featured in a couple of critically acclaimed movies, including A Soldiers Story, the very successful, The Wedding Party, Ojukokoro, The Wedding Party 2 and The Royal Hibiscus Hotel.
The British born Nigerian actress and model turned television presenter has also featured on the credit lines of movies such as
Sylva, Kofa, Fine Wine, God Calling, Chief Daddy and Entreat.
Bisola Aiyeola
A one-time Big Brother Nigeria first runner-up and recipient of the 2018 AMVCA Trail Blazer award, Bisola Aiyeola, has been grabbing screen roles easily since she stepped up a few years ago. A singer, actress and star of Ovy and Picture Perfect and a couple of critically acclaimed short films and web series, Bisola, who participated in the 2008 edition of MTN Project Fame has remained focused on her mission to remain on the list of the industry’s recognisable faces.
Movies that have benefited from her believable performance include, Two Grannies And A Baby, Sugar Rush, Pay Day,
Gold Statue, The Bling Lagosian, This Lady Called Life, and The Becoming of Obim.
Sharon Onoja
Star of the wave-making movie by Ebony Life production, Oloture, Sharon Onoja, has been having a good and steady run as an actress. Listed by the entertainment website as a top female celebrity of 2020 and a Nollywood actress to look out for in 2021, Sharon, an indigene of Benue State and a Mass Communication graduate, started her acting career in 2013.
The star of the popular web series Skinny Girl in Transit and show host has featured in a number of television series and movies including Gidi Up, Kambili, The Whole 30 Yards, Coming From Insanity, Bling Lagosians, King of Boys, Lara, And The Beat, and Moms at War featuring Funke Akindele and Michelle Dede.
BusayoEsther Adeyeye
You probably won’t find anyone among the large audience of Yoruba movies if you ask of Busayo Esther Adeyeye. But mention Ayo Adey and fingers will point to the Lagos-born actress and product of the Psychology Department of the University of Lagos. An actress and producer of mounting credits, Ayo Adey joined the movie industry two years after she completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps Scheme. Since then, Ayo Adey has been pulling her strings, acting in and signing memorable productions.
Inspired by the acting prowess of celebrated actors like Peju Ogunmola, Angelina Jolie, and Joke Silva, Ayo Adey has signed notable productions including Alarade, Ina Abe, Oko Longe, Ojiji Oga, Ohun Ton Dan, and Olofin Tooto. Her career ambition is to make a difference in the Nigerian movie space.
Bolanle Ninalowo
Debonair and handsome Bolanle is perhaps one of the most featured of the ‘emerging actors’ of the last ten years. Hailed by the yellow press as ‘Nollywood’s bad boy’, the former banker turned actor and producer has been cutting the swath since he returned to the industry in 2014 after he took a short break to attend to ‘other issues’.
Since he returned, the producer of Rebirth has been walking in and out of location, grabbing the lead and supporting roles. Recipient of the 2018 City People Movie Award for best actor of the year ‘English’ and 2017 Best of Nollywood award for Actor in a leading role ‘English’, Nino as the actor is simply called by close friends and colleagues, has featured in critically acclaimed movies such as Road To Yesterday, 30 Years A Virgin, Iya Iyawo, Night Bus To Lagos, Coming From Insanity, A Fire in The Rain, Ratnik, Husbands of Lagos, and Picture Perfect.
Rotimi Salami
Although trained as a movie director at the New York Film Academy, Akin Salami is doing well as an actor and has been grabbing screen credits right and left. Star of well-acclaimed movies like Mentally, Omoye, Stormy Hearts, Timeless and winner of the best-supporting actor award at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA), the star of the award-winning movie Just Not Married, Salami had his break in 2007 on the set of ‘Unknown Revenge’ and later on a television series produced by Ola Razak titled Shangisha Kingdom.
He has continued to grab roles both in the movies and on television. Some of the television series and movies he has starred in include, The long-running Tinsel, Super Storey, Silent Night, About to Wed, Dear Mother, Kuti’s Career Palace, Emerald, Alan Poza, Bella’s Place, Leave My Boyfriend, 11th Hour, Papa Ajasco, and Crack in the Wall.

By: Jacob Obinna

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.