Tag: Nigerian entertainment news

  • Angela Okorie Tenders Public Apology to Mercy Johnson Amidst Long-Standing Rift

    Angela Okorie Tenders Public Apology to Mercy Johnson Amidst Long-Standing Rift

    In a post shared by @realangelaokorie on Instagram, the Nollywood actress has formally reached out to her colleague Mercy Johnson-Okojie to seek forgiveness. The public olive branch comes after years of social media call-outs and personal grievances that had previously divided their respective fan bases. Okorie expressed deep regret for past misunderstandings, extending the apology to Mercy’s husband and children.

    The actress noted that life is too short to harbor animosity and that she is choosing a path of peace and reconciliation. This shift in tone marks a significant departure from her previous stance, which often involved fiery allegations regarding industry competition and personal character.

    Supporting this development, The Punch Newspapers reported on its official platform that the apology was unexpected but welcomed by many industry insiders. The outlet quoted a section of the post where Okorie stated, “I am deeply sorry for everything that happened in the past; let love lead.” Similarly, Legit.ng highlighted the viral nature of the post, quoting Okorie’s plea for “grace and understanding from the Okojie family” as she moves toward a “new chapter of maturity.”

    Echotitbits take: This reconciliation could signal a stabilizing trend in Nollywood, where “clout-chasing” feuds are increasingly being replaced by veteran solidarity. If Mercy Johnson accepts the apology publicly, it may set a precedent for other long-standing industry beefs to be settled, potentially leading to future collaborations between the two powerhouses.

    Source: Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/wtpage13/posts/you-are-not-a-it%C4%89%C4%A5actress-angela-okorie-tender-public-apology-to-mercy-johnson-o/892730430159182/ February 5, 2026

    Photo Credit: Facebook

  • DJ Cuppy steps back from socials, says she’s entering a focused new season

    DJ Cuppy steps back from socials, says she’s entering a focused new season

    Reporting by Punch indicates DJ Cuppy announced she’s taking a break from social media, framing it as a personal reset and a period for reflection and discipline.

    The move instantly became a conversation starter because she typically documents her life and projects online—so silence reads like a deliberate strategy, not just downtime.

    Multiple outlets picked it up quickly, suggesting her audience sees this as a meaningful pivot rather than routine log-off talk.

    Two additional public references echoed the same development:

    The Nation (News outlet): “announces a break from social media.” (link)

    YabaLeftOnline (Entertainment blog): “taking a break” (link)

    For celebrities with brand deals, a break can be reputational risk—or a reset that improves long-term engagement. Watch whether she returns with a project rollout (music, philanthropy, or a major update) and whether her team keeps promotions running through official channels while she stays offline.

    Source: Punch Nigeria — 05 January 2026 — https://punchng.com/time-with-god-dj-cuppy-announces-break-from-social-media/

    Source: Punch Nigeria 2026-01-05
    Photo Credit: Punch

  • Funke Akindele Shatters Box Office History as ‘Behind The Scenes’ Crosses ₦1.1 Billion

    Funke Akindele Shatters Box Office History as ‘Behind The Scenes’ Crosses ₦1.1 Billion

    According to a historical milestone report by BellaNaija, Nollywood powerhouse Funke Akindele has officially cemented her status as the industry’s most bankable director after her latest film, Behind The Scenes, surpassed the ₦1.1 billion mark in just 17 days. This achievement makes it the fastest film in West African history to reach the billion-naira milestone, breaking records previously set by her own blockbuster hits.

    The film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, confirmed that the project recorded the highest single-day gross in Nigerian cinema history on Boxing Day, earning a staggering ₦129.5 million. Akindele is now the first filmmaker to deliver three consecutive ₦1.1 billion films, following the massive success of A Tribe Called Judah and Everybody Loves Jenifa.

    Validating reports from Vanguard and The Nation underscore the magnitude of this feat. Vanguard noted that the ‘Queen of the Box Office’ has ‘redefined expectations for theatrical releases,’ while The Nation quoted FilmOne’s official statement: ‘This win is for all of us as she becomes the only director to cross ₦1B+ three different times.’

    Echotitbits take: Funke Akindele has cracked the code for Nigerian cinema by blending relatable family drama with high-tier production value. Her dominance suggests that local audiences are increasingly choosing high-quality Nollywood stories over Hollywood imports during the festive season. Expect a major expansion of her ‘Jenifa’ universe or a high-stakes streaming deal as global platforms look to partner with the industry’s undisputed revenue leader.
    Source: Vanguard – vanguardngr.com/2026/01/nollywoods-biggest-box-office-movies-of-2025-why-funke-akindele-remains-the-queen/ January 4, 2026
    Photo Credit: Vanguard

  • Funke Akindele’s “Behind The Scenes” storms past ₦1.1bn and rewrites Nollywood’s box-office history

    Funke Akindele’s “Behind The Scenes” storms past ₦1.1bn and rewrites Nollywood’s box-office history

    2025-12-31 16:00:00

    According to BellaNaija, Funke Akindele’s latest film Behind The Scenes has crossed ₦1.1 billion at the Nigerian box office within weeks of release, reinforcing her run of record-breaking cinema numbers.

    FilmOne Entertainment highlighted the milestone as a speed record for West Africa, pointing to a strong Boxing Day surge that helped push the film over the line.

    The milestone is also reigniting industry debate about distribution transparency, screen allocation, and how blockbuster runs are being managed across cinemas.

    • FilmOne Entertainment (X): “Fastest film in West Africa to cross ₦1B+.”
    • Punch Newspapers (Punchng.com): “Fastest film in West Africa to gross over ₦1 billion.”

    Echotitbits take: Nollywood’s ceiling keeps moving—but the next battleground is trust: transparent reporting, fair scheduling, and whether exhibitors and distributors can avoid a “rigged system” narrative as the money grows.

    Source: BellaNaija — 2025-12-30 — https://www.bellanaija.com/2025/12/funke-akindele-behind-scenes-1bn-record/

    BellaNaija
    2025-12-30
    Photo Credit: BellaNaija

  • ‘Seven Doors’ and ‘Farmer’s Bride’ lead the night as 2025 BON Awards crown winners

    ‘Seven Doors’ and ‘Farmer’s Bride’ lead the night as 2025 BON Awards crown winners

    Photo credit: Best of Nollywood Awards (Instagram profile)

    According to TheCable Lifestyle, the 2025 Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards ceremony celebrated standout films and performances, with major wins spread across top titles.

    The event’s headline story was the strong showing by ‘Seven Doors’ alongside ‘Farmer’s Bride’, as the awards spotlighted craft categories and marquee acting honors.

    Beyond trophies, the winners list has already started shaping audience watchlists and streaming demand going into the year-end holidays.

    • Premium Times (website): “Femi Adebayo’s cinematic thriller ‘Seven Doors’ was the biggest winner at the 2025 Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards…”
    • The Eagle Online (website): “Seven Doors shines at 2025 BON Awards + Full list of winners…”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: BON’s winners list is a quick signal for what Nollywood’s industry tastemakers believe is ‘working’ right now—and it often influences acquisition decisions, streaming placements, and promo budgets. Watch for post-awards reruns, new distribution announcements, and a surge in cast interviews as studios try to convert trophies into ticket/streaming momentum.

    Source: TheCable Lifestyle — 2025-12-15 — https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/full-list-seven-doors-farmers-bride-win-big-at-2025-bon-awards/
    2025-12-15