Entertainment
Meet 20 Big Brother Titans’ Housemates Competing for $100,000 Grand Prize
The much-anticipated television reality show, Big Brother Titans, began with a lot of excitement on Sunday.
Unlike the usual Big Brother Naija format which features only Nigerians, and Big Brother Africa, which has housemates from across the continent, this particular show is open to only Nigerians and South Africans.
The first housemate to be unveiled was a 25-year-old South African female called Cossy. She described herself as a fun-loving, but also ‘serious’ person.
The second housemate to be unveiled was a Nigerian, Yemi Cregx. He stated that he was looking forward to learning more about South Africans in the course of the show.
The duo wasted no time in striking up a conversation. At a point, Cregx helped Cossy to adjust her wig; an action that resonated on social media, with many people posting about it.
Other South African housemates are Juicy Jay, Nelisa, Mmeli, Khosi, Ipeleng, Thabang, Yaya, Khehla, Tsatii, and Justin.
Nigerian contestants are Olivia, Blaqboy, Nana, Marven, Jaypee, Ebubu, Jenni O, Kanaga, and Yvonne.
Expectedly, there has been a lot of buzz about the show, especially as it is coming at a time when the country is preparing for general elections.
In a speech by John Ugbe, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, the organiser of the show, he stated that due to the popularity of the show, it was practically inevitable not to pair Nigerians and South Africans in one house.
Reacting to criticism that the show will distract Nigerian youths from the forthcoming general elections, he maintained that Nigerian youths knew their priorities.
He said, “As two of the biggest economies in Africa, it was only a matter of time before something like this would come up. Just like there has been a clash of music genres such as afrobeats (Nigeria) and amapiano (South Africa), there was bound to be something of this nature.”
In the course of the show, there was also an announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission educating Nigerians on the process of collecting their permanent voter’s cards.
Viewers were also treated to pictures of the expansive and well-designed house the contestants will call home for the coming weeks.
The reality show will run for 72 days (over 10 weeks). It also retains some of the Big Brother features, such as diary sessions, Head of House games, Friday night parties, and tasks.
It will be co-hosted by Nigerian, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, and Lawrence Maleke, a South African.
Guests at the live screening of the show include Saga, Dorathy Bachor and Gerald (Nigerian Idol winner). Self-acclaimed Koko master, D’banj also performed at the event.
The last edition of BBN (Level Up) aired from July 23 to October 2, 2022. It was won by Phyna, and she smiled to the bank with a grand prize of N100m; while the last BBA held almost a decade ago in 2014. The winner, Tayo Faniran (Nigerian) went home with $300,000 worth of prizes.
Entertainment
Actor Lalude Laments Unpaid N1.5m Promised Him by MC Oluomo to Campaign for Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu
Nollywood actor, Fatai Adekunle Adetayo, popularly known as Lalude, has accused the president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), MC Oluomo, of failing to fulfil financial promises made to celebrities who campaigned for President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the 2023 general elections.
Speaking during a recent episode of the Beyond the Fame podcast, Lalude expressed deep disappointment over what he described as abandonment, revealing that he and other entertainers were promised N1.5 million each by MC Oluomo but never received a dime.
Lalude, known for his iconic ‘babalawo’ roles in Yoruba movies, said he and other actors, including comedian Ganiu ‘Alapini’ Nofiu, were lodged and made to campaign for weeks without proper compensation.
According to him, they initially received N10,000 daily for feeding, but even that was stopped abruptly.
“We were camped for seven weeks. We trekked long distances every day while MC Oluomo followed us in his car. In the end, we were abandoned,” he lamented.
He claimed that both he and Alapini were promised N1.5 million each, a promise that was never fulfilled.
‘We finished the work and no dime was given to us. Is it good? It was MC who called us.
“MC promised me and Alapini. He asked us to demand for whatever we wanted. We did but we got nothing up till date.
“He took us to where we lodged to campaign for the president. He promised to give us N1.5 million each.
“Whoever is behind these misdeeds will not prosper. I know they will still come to us by 2027 and we are waiting for them?” He added bitterly.
This comes just days after veteran Nollywood actor Ganiu Nafiu, popularly known as Alapini, and actress Bukky Adekogbe Raji, also known as Aminatu Papapa, expressed deep regret for supporting President Tinubu during the 2023 presidential campaign.
Popular Nigerian film and stage producer, Kayode Peters, has passed away in Canada.
“Yes, he is,” Yaw told Peoples Gazette when asked if Mr Peters had died. “I am still trying to speak with his brother but he is not picking.”
Circumstances surrounding the producer’s death remain unclear as of the time of this report.
Mr Peters was known for his work on several stage plays and sitcoms, including Extended Family, and he was behind the hit comedy sitcom Flatmates in the early 2000s. He was also regarded as a significant contributor to Nigeria’s contemporary theatre and television space.
Anna Wintour has stepped down as the editor-in-chief of Vogue after an impressive 37-year tenure.
According to recent reports, Condé Nast, the publisher of Vogue, has initiated the search for her successor.
This significant development marks a new era in the fashion industry, given Wintour’s unparalleled influence in shaping Vogue’s editorial direction and cementing its position as a global fashion authority.
As Wintour’s legacy continues to inspire future generations of fashion enthusiasts and industry professionals, her departure raises questions about Vogue’s future direction and the potential shifts in editorial focus.
However, the circumstances surrounding her departure remain undisclosed.
