Seunfunmi Joshua
Toyin Abraham
In the world of famous people, 2023 has been full of exciting stories, scandals, and lots of talk. People just can’t get enough of celebrity news, and a few stars have become the center of attention, making big news and getting everyone talking on social media. Let’s explore the lives of the most talked-about celebrities in 2023, finding out about the things they did that got them so much attention.
Throughout the year, popular Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham has not only been in the spotlight for her roles in movies but also for her active involvement in politics, particularly during the 2023 election.
In the 2023 blockbuster movie “Gangs of Lagos,” where she is a key cast member, Toyin portrayed a character running for governor who encourages people to vote against the long-standing government. However, in real life, she supported a different political candidate, Bola Tinubu from the All Progressive Congress (APC), in the recent general elections.
This discrepancy between her on-screen character and real-life political affiliations led to criticism from many Nigerians on social media. They pointed out the apparent contradiction and questioned how her role aligned with her actual political beliefs.
Here are some of the reactions from people all over social media:
As of now, Toyin Abraham has not responded to the criticism.
Moyo Lawal
A controversial video allegedly featuring actress Moyo Lawal in an intimate situation with an unidentified man sparked lots of criticism on social media. The viral video showed both the actress and her partner on a bed in what appeared to be a hotel room.
Fans, like John Joshua, speculated on celebrities leaking content for publicity, stating, “All the celebrities have leaked their nudes for more publicity and connections that we don’t know about.”
Lawal is known for posting controversial and sensual contents online, she had earlier stated in one of her videos that the last thing she could be ‘dragged’ online for was any kind of sex-related issue.
An account denying involvement in the video, @moyolawalofficial, has been considered a parody, with the actress’ genuine X account believed to be @moyolawal.
Nedu
Throughout 2023, Nedu and his co-hosts on the Honest Bunch podcast consistently courted controversy by exploring increasingly provocative topics. As an On-Air Personality (OAP), Nedu took the lead in discussing contentious issues, ranging from claiming to witness female influencers in a threesome to making controversial remarks about female Big Brother Naija housemates allegedly using relationships to advance their careers. Nedu’s outspoken opinions constantly faced criticism due to their contentious nature.
Davido
The past year has been a rollercoaster for Afrobeats Superstar Davido, marked by both criticism and acclaim. In March 2023, he released the highly successful album “Timeless.” However, soon after, he faced baby mama drama as two models, Anita and Ivanna Bay, claimed to be pregnant by the singer. This caused significant controversy, especially as Davido had recently married his longtime girlfriend, Chioma Rowland.
The complications continued sometimes in July when Logos Olori, an artist signed to Davido’s music label, released a video featuring Muslim men dancing to his song “Jaye Lo” in front of a mosque. The controversial video stirred backlash from the Muslim community in Nigeria, leading Davido to take it down in response to the outcry.
Phyna
Reality TV star Phyna, faced backlash after a sit down interview with Chude Jideonwo where she made a statement generalizing that all women have had one or two abortions, stating that she herself has had…
This led to a lot of backlash online, one of which was the popular heated exchange she had with fellow housemate Princess .
Princess took to Twitter to call her out saying,
However, Phyna clapped back stating that Princess was obsessing over her,
To which, Princess responded, “I’ll take my trophy for eviction. Take your trophy for abortions!!”
In the aftermath, Phyna publicly apologized for her controversial remarks on abortion.
Verydarkblackman
Abuja-based influencer, VeryDarkBlackman stirred up chaos in the self-made skincare community. His prolonged feud included a notable clash with skincare entrepreneur Jennifer Osasenaga of Jenny’s glow which resulted in NAFDAC shutting down the business.
Throughout 2023, we have seen VeryDarkBlackman engage in conflicts with several skincare business owners, influencers, and celebrities, including Iyabo Ojo and most recently Blessing CEO.
Tolani Baj
This list won’t be complete without mentioning of reality TV star, TolaniBaj who courted controversy in a big way. It all began with a provocative tweet she posted in March, expressing her disapproval of guys dancing in the club, stating, “I get turned off when a guy dances in the club. Like sit down and pretend to be a big boy.”
This tweet sparked a significant response on social media, keeping TolaniBaj in conversations for weeks, especially on the X app.
The controversy didn’t stop there; months later, she appeared on a podcast, further stirring the pot with various controversial opinions. Some perceive this as a strategy to stay relevant, while others see it as part of her personality.
Oladips
On November 14, the management of Nigerian rapper Oladips shocked fans by announcing his death, coming shortly after the passing of another artist, Mohbad. The situation took a bizarre turn when fellow artist Qdot posted on Instagram that “My Gee is alive,” sparking speculation about whether it was another Skibii-style PR stunt.
Compounding the confusion, Oladips’ team began promoting his album soon after the announcement of his supposed demise. The rapper himself dispelled the rumors through an Instagram Story video, affirming that he was alive. In subsequent media appearances, he openly criticized his management for spreading false information about his death.
Music enthusiasts didn’t hold back, suggesting that the entire incident was an unsuccessful attempt to promote an album or draw attention to his music.
Final Thoughts
The world of celebrity controversies is ever-changing, and as the year progresses, new developments may alter the stories surrounding these public figures. The controversies of 2023 not only reveal the difficulties and downsides of fame but also encourage us to ponder broader issues that capture public interest.
However, one thing is clear – their influence on the cultural conversation is indisputable.
