Entertainment
Serena Williams’ Father Seeks Forgiveness For Will Smith’s ‘Oscars Slap’
Richard Williams, father of Serena Williams, has requested forgiveness on behalf of Will Smith regarding the famous “Oscars Slap” at the 2022 Academy Awards.
Smith had physically confronted comedian Chris Rock on stage after a comment was made about his wife’s haircut.
Richard defended Smith’s actions on the UK TV show “Good Morning Britain,” stating that he did nothing wrong.
He said he does not feel sorry for the comedian, but asked the public to forgive Smith.
“I’ll always stand by him,” Richard said.
“I think he has done the best thing he needed to do, but I would never be disgusted with Mr. Smith. Matter of fact, I appreciate Mr. Smith.
“I’m 81 years old but when I was about 51 years or younger, I almost killed any damn one, so I think Mr. Smith done a great deal now.
“It’s time for everyone to forgive Will Smith.”
The retired tennis coach also urged the AMPAS to lift its 10-year ban on Smith.
“It should be just one day or no more than a week at the most,” he added.
Richard’s viewpoint comes at about the same time when Rock said the incident still hurts.
“They say, ‘words hurt’. Anybody that says words hurt has never been punched in the face,” the comedian said.
Smith had apologised for his action describing it as “unacceptable.”
“There is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave at that moment. I am deeply remorseful and I’m trying to be remorseful without being ashamed of myself,” he said.
Nollywood actress Annie Idibia has reappeared on social media nearly two months after her widely publicized separation from Nigerian music icon 2Baba.
Her return to Instagram has drawn significant attention, especially after she wiped her account clean, deleting all previous posts.
The actress’ sudden social media reset has fueled speculation about a fresh start, as fans and industry watchers analyze her next move.
READ ALSO: ‘I Want To Marry Her’ – Tuface Declares Love For Edo Lawmaker
Annie and 2Baba, who share two children, officially ended their marriage in January 2025, following a public announcement by the singer.
Reports indicate that Annie sought rehabilitation after the breakup, while 2Baba has since moved on and is engaged to Edo lawmaker Natasha Osawaru.
Fans remain eager to see what comes next for the actress.
Nollywood actor Kunle Remi and his wife, Tiwi, are celebrating the arrival of their first child after enduring a difficult medical journey filled with unexpected challenges.
Sharing the news on Instagram on Wednesday, Remi reflected on the trials they faced, including a premature birth that required their baby to spend 80 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
He also revealed that Tiwi had to be on complete bed rest following a surprising medical discovery, while they both managed demanding schedules and frequent travel.
READ ALSO: Actor Kunle Remi Ties the Knot In Elegant Church Wedding [Video]
“From an early arrival… to the unfolding of God’s perfect timing. Our story is living proof that God is God — unfailing, unwavering, and faithful till the very end,” Remi wrote, expressing gratitude for their journey.
Kunle and Tiwi’s love story captured public attention when the actor proposed during a visit to the U.S. in early 2024.
The couple later tied the knot in a grand wedding in January, attended by many Nollywood stars.
Following the announcement, fans, colleagues, and well-wishers flooded social media with congratulatory messages, celebrating the couple’s resilience and the joyous arrival of their baby.
The public dispute between renowned singer Timi Dakolo and Pastor Femi Lazarus has intensified, with Dakolo now accusing the Light Nation Church founder of profiting from ministry teachings.
The controversy first erupted when the two clashed over whether gospel artistes should charge fees for performing at church events.
Pastor Lazarus, in a widely circulated video, argued that gospel musicians should not demand payment for ministering, insisting that they should trust God for provision rather than seeking financial gain.
READ ALSO: Sometimes I Suck At My Parental Duties – Timi Dakolo
According to him, gospel artistes are not mere entertainers but ministers of the gospel.
Dakolo, however, pushed back against this view, accusing pastors of pressuring gospel singers to offer their services for free.
He defended their right to earn a living, pointing out the financial responsibilities they face.
He also suggested that instead of expecting professional gospel musicians to perform without payment, pastors should focus on developing their church choirs.
Clarifying his stance, Dakolo stated that his response was made out of respect and love. He emphasized that, while he grew up in the church, he does not identify as a gospel artist.
However, he then shifted the discussion by accusing Pastor Lazarus of charging students for enrollment in his ministry school, which provides Christian teachings.
According to Dakolo, the school’s enrollment fee is approximately $150 per student, with about 1,000 students reportedly registered. He backed up his claims by sharing a screenshot that allegedly details the fee structure.
He criticized the pastor for monetizing what he described as a “freely given gift and revelation.”
“All this was said in love and with respect, sir. I am not a gospel artist but a Christian raised in church. Let’s not shift the goal post,” Dakolo stated.
“By your definition, if anyone charges to minister, they are not gospel artists; they are performers. And by that definition, if any preacher charges to teach and minister, they are merchants of hope and motivational speakers too.”
Questioning the structure of the ministry school, he added:
“Sir, you are charging as low as $150 per person for your school of ministry, teaching and preaching Jesus, probably having as much as 1,000 students. Let’s do the maths. You even have premium and standard for God’s house? Are you not selling the gift and revelation freely given to you? Again, let’s not keep shifting the goal post.”
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