Entertainment
Why I Chose My Oscars Gown By Tems
Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi better known as Tems has explained her choice of a striking outfit at the 2023 Oscars, stating that her gown was a statement piece.
The singer faced criticism after attendees complained that her dress obstructed their view during the event on Sunday.
Despite this, the Grammy-award winner stood out among the Hollywood elite, who donned various impressive ensembles at the Dolby Centre in Los Angeles.
She was draped in a white sculptural gown by Ukrainian brand, Lever Couture’s AW22, Leleka Couture collection. The gown features a large headpiece which makes it difficult for anyone behind Tems to see what is in front owing to how view-obstructing the headpiece is.
In an interview with Harper’s Bazzar, Tems disclosed why she went for the elaborate gown.
According to the Grammy-award winner, she decided to “go all out” and “make the most” of her first Oscars attendance.
“Two years ago, I would’ve said no to this dress,” she said. “But it’s my first Oscars — I am going to go all out. I really wanted to make the most of the day. The dress is also my way of celebrating my work and the people around me, celebrating my country, and celebrating the people that are rooting for me. This dress says ‘Yes, yes, I am here!'”
Asked what her recent global achievements mean to her, the Damages crooner opined that it was an indication she is on the right path.
“If the biggest women in the world love my work to such an extent that they are working with me, then that must say something. My work is actually reaching places, it’s making some type of impact.
“And that is insane! I really am just trying to keep my feet on the ground and continue running and doing things that are a hundred per cent authentic to me. Evolving, learning, growing. It’s just the beginning for me,” she said.
Although Tems’ co-written song ‘Lift Me Up’ with Rihanna, music producer Ludwig Göransson, and director Ryan Coogler earned her a nomination for Best Original Song at this year’s Oscars, the category was ultimately won by ‘Naatu Naatu’ by Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj.
Entertainment
‘I Died And Went To Heaven’ – Actress Doris Ogala Shares Remarkable Near-Death Experience
Actress Doris Ogala has opened up about a profound near-death experience, revealing that she died and visited heaven before being sent back to Earth.
In an emotional Instagram post shared on Thursday, Ogala described her otherworldly journey, where she was told by a divine presence that her time had not yet come.
“I may not have much time now. I have to speak up. I died a few days ago. God gave me a second chance,” Ogala wrote, recounting the surreal event that she says occurred recently.
She shared a brief video, giving a glimpse of her experience and recounting her vivid recollections of heaven.
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The actress described heaven as a peaceful and serene realm, where she felt liberated from all her earthly burdens. “I saw myself in heaven. Very peaceful. All my burdens were lifted. I didn’t want to come back. It was so cool and smooth.
“The feeling is out of this world. I was a queen. I had servants and gold coins everywhere. Believe me, this is what I saw,” Ogala recalled.
Despite the tranquility and beauty of her heavenly surroundings, Ogala was guided down a “beautiful passage” and told by a divine force that it was not yet her time to remain.
“God said to me, my child go back, it’s not your turn yet,” she explained, expressing her reluctance to leave the blissful experience behind.
Nollywood star and politician, Funke Akindele, has opened up about the emotional and psychological toll of recent events in her life, revealing that she nearly broke down completely following a series of personal and professional setbacks.
Speaking in an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, the actress detailed how the death of her mother, the collapse of her marriage to Abdulrasheed Bello (popularly known as JJC Skillz), and her defeat in the 2023 elections left her deeply depressed.
“I do not like to mourn. I remember when my mom passed on, I just wanted to get out of it quickly. I like to get out of the situation quickly. I do not allow myself to break down, and it affected me after my mom’s death. And I almost died,” Akindele said.
READ MORE: How Male Celebrities Shine At Funke Akindele’s Movie Premiere
She also addressed her ongoing struggles as a single mother, alleging that her estranged husband has failed to take responsibility for their twin boys, born in 2018.
“I lost my mum, my marriage fell apart, I lost in politics, I have to get back to work, I have to earn a living. I have children I’m raising alone and you are stressing me,” she said.
Recall that Akindele and JJC Skillz were married in 2016 and ended their union in 2022.
The music producer announced their separation in a post on Instagram, stating:
“I’m making this announcement to clear the public that we both are pursuing separate lives. We still have issues such as the custody and wellbeing of our children to be addressed, as well as business interests which need to be disentangled, but I have no doubt that these will be resolved in one way or the other.”
However, Akindele’s recent comments suggest that the issues concerning co-parenting remain unresolved.
In the interview, she recounted a moment when online criticism pushed her to the edge.
“My heart was aching and something happened online. For the first time I took my phone, I went live on social media and I’m like, you all should leave me alone. Do I know this person? No, this person came to act in my movie, got paid, and left. Why are you accusing me of something I didn’t do wrong?” she said.
“Do you know what I’m going through?… So, for the first time, I cried. I broke down for weeks,” she added.
Nigerian street-hop sensation Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has withdrawn from his planned celebrity boxing match with fellow artist Darlington Achakpo Okoye, aka Speed Darlington.
The controversial singer made the announcement in a video shared on his Instagram, where he declared that he no longer wished to face Speed Darlington, calling the rapper an unworthy opponent.
Portable took it a step further by challenging former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, to a match, demanding a prize purse of 100 million naira.
READ ALSO: Singer Portable Arraigned In Ogun Court Over Alleged Assault On Officials
“I’m not fighting Speed Darlington again; I want Anthony Joshua with 100m,” Portable boldly declared in the viral clip, which quickly gained traction online.
In the video, Portable also accused Speed Darlington of using the planned boxing match as a publicity stunt to promote his upcoming show set for April.
He further asserted that his standing in the Nigerian music scene is far superior to that of Speed Darlington, who had recently made headlines after his release from Kuje Prison in January, where he was detained for allegedly defaming Afrobeat star Burna Boy.
The announcement comes just days after Speed Darlington began training for the match.
In a mocking video, the rapper was seen buying a coffin, which many interpreted as a taunt toward Portable, before heading to the gym with his trainer to work on his fitness for the planned showdown.
The boxing event was originally scheduled to take place on April 18, 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Center in Lagos State.
However, Portable’s sudden withdrawal has cast doubt on the future of the fight, leaving fans uncertain about the prospect of seeing the two entertainers in the ring.
For now, the anticipated celebrity clash seems to be off the table — at least until another twist in this ongoing drama emerges.
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