31st December, 2022
The Nigerian entertainment industry generated loads of controversies in 2022. Some celebrities successfully abstained from it but for some, it was a good strategy to get headlines.
Phineas T. Barnum, the 19th-century American showman, and circus owner once said ‘There’s no such thing as bad publicity.’
Therefore, getting media attention is always a good thing, even if the coverage is negative or unflattering.
As we wrap up the year 2022, we are taking a look at celebrities that got everyone talking.
1. Portable;
The street-hop artist really got people entertained, angry, and wondering where on earth he came from due to his numerous controversial activities.
In 2022, the Zazu crooner lost his nominations in two categories of the Headies Award— ‘Rookie of the Year’, and ‘Best Street-Hop Artiste’.
Trouble began after he threatened to kill other artists nominated in the categories.
He later gave a backhanded apology after he was warned by the organizers of the award.
In his apology video, the ‘Wahala Musician’ said “Headies Headies Headies, Emelo ni mo pe yin, Eyin le fi owo pe were e de shi ma ri were (Headies, how many times did I call you, you invited a mad man with your money and will definitely witness madness).
After the backhanded apology, another video of Portable surfaced where he ordered some boys to beat up his estranged friend, DJ Chicken.
The Nigeria Police Force issued an ultimatum to the singer to report to any police station in Ogun State because the incident happened within their jurisdiction.
In July 2022, Portable in a viral video boasted to have formed the ‘One Million Boys’ cult group.
The claim got the attention of the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, who ordered an investigation into the claim.
In the heat of the investigations, Headies booted out the singer’s name from the nomination list.
After the incident, Portable was involved in a series of confrontations with his colleagues including Goya Menor, Small Doctor.
His latest controversy was his arrival at his concert in a coffin at Fela’s Afrika Shrine in Lagos State, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022.
2. Wizkid
The Nigerian superstar unleashed another version of himself before and after the release of his album “More Love Less Ego.”
In October 2021, Wizkid told his colleagues to now address him as Sir or Daddy.
“I can stop touching the mic today and y’all lil niggas still can’t touch the wealth! Even if u ask ur dad and mom for help #moreloveLessEgo #EveryBody’sDaddy.
“Also soon I’ll open a class for u niggas to come learn how to get all you deserve with less work and smart business choices,” he wrote on social media.
He added: “Moving forward! “Y’all address me as Sir or daddy before u mention my name! Ok babies!”
In November, Wizkid also surprised fans when he said that he had “been single for so long! Gotta find one or two.”
Many were shocked by his remark because the singer had before then shared a rare family photo of himself, his son, Zion, and a then-pregnant partner Jada Pollock.
Reacting to the comment, Pollock said, “Taking arguments to social media is never going to end well.”
Wizkid also unfollowed his colleagues and other celebrities on his Instagram account.
In early December, he created another controversy when he said “Rap is dead,” during an interview.
The comment caused an uproar in the entertainment industry, especially from rappers like MI and Ycee, who countered the artiste’s comment.
Wizkid doubled down on his comment when he called rappers “broke boys”, after he claimed some rappers sent him rap videos.
He further added, “Y’all not even rappers! Nasty C/Sarkodie/Black Sheriff the only rappers in Africa.”
3. Yul Edochie
Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, was at the center of heavy criticism in April 2022 after he announced his second marriage to actress Judy Austin, revealing that they both had a son together.
Following the announcement, Yul’s first wife of 18 years, May, unfollowed him on Instagram.
Yul’s family members also publicly disassociated themselves from his decision.
A few weeks after the announcement, Yul stated that it felt good breaking the Internet, adding that he had become the most talked about man on the planet.
In May, Yul’s first wife and mother of his four kids openly stated that her family and her faith did not support polygamy, though it may work for some people.
In June, he alleged that some people were wishing death for his family, claiming that critics get angry when they see him happy.
He also boasted that polygamy brought him blessings and elevated his two wives, likening himself to the Biblical David.
November saw Yul announce that he had been called to become a minister of God and in mid-December, the actor once again boasted about being a “proud polygamist”.
On December 21, Yul, however, decided to publicly apologize to May for his actions, as he stated that he meant no disrespect to her.
In her response, May maintained that she would not be cajoled into accepting polygamy, stating that she refused to be numbered in her home.
Nkechi Blessing
Actress Nkechi Blessing set tongues wagging following her breakup with Opeyemi Falegan.
Shortly after Falegan showered her with praises in February on her birthday, the duo began a war of words on social media as their breakup became public in April.
However, many lambasted the actress for the messy social media drama, considering she had said just weeks before the event that she would not drag her partner on social media if the relationship ended.
In the heat of the social media battle, Nkechi claimed that she fed the UK-based military man even as she denied getting married to him.
After a few months of calm, their feud was reignited in September after she spoke about him in an interview, leading to another round of the Instagram fight between the actress and the Ekiti State politician.
In November, Blessing began flaunting a younger man as her new lover, as she shared videos of their romantic moments on her social media pages.
The actress also caused a stir on the Internet when she said she was ready to be taken as wife by Ooni of Ife.
She later got an invite to the palace where she was filmed dancing in the presence of the monarch.