Category: Entertainment
Abu Dhabi Art Fair 2025 to Feature Record 140 Galleries from 35 Countries
Abu Dhabi Art returns for its 17th edition this year, bringing together 140 galleries from more than 50 cities across over 35 countries. Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the fair will run from November 19 to 23 at Manarat Al Saadiyat. The 2025 edition continues to expand its global reach, welcoming first-time participants from Algeria, the Netherlands, Peru, and Tanzania. Key regions highlighted this year include Nigeria, the Gulf, and Türkiye, each featured in dedicated Focus sectors that spotlight emerging and established voices shaping contemporary art today. Since its founding in 2009, Abu Dhabi Art has grown into the region’s largest and most diverse art fair, attracting world-renowned galleries such as Pace, Richard Saltoun, Mennour, Hanart TZ, and ATHR. Newcomers this year include Loft Art Gallery, Pedro Cera, and EQTNA Rare Books, reflecting a 40% increase in participating galleries over last year. Nigeria Spotlight One of the fair’s main attractions this year is a special focus on Nigeria, curated in collaboration with the country’s Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy. Part of the broader “Nigeria Everywhere” initiative, the section features seven Nigerian galleries including SOTO Gallery, AMG Projects, kó, O’DA Gallery, 1897 Gallery, Windsor Gallery, and Ishara Gallery, with a special project by MADhouse and Tikera Africa. The works on display highlight the richness and urgency of Nigeria’s contemporary art scene, exploring themes of identity, politics, and history. Modern Türkiye A new addition this year is the Modern Türkiye section, curated by Doris Benhalegua Karako. It features works by key modern artists such as Fahrelnissa Zeid (DG Art Gallery), Burhan Doğançay (Art On Istanbul), and Gülsün Karamustafa and Cengiz Çekil (BüroSarigedik). Focus on the Gulf Leading galleries from the Gulf region will showcase contemporary artists including Hassan Sharif, Mohammed Kazem, Alia Zaal (Gallery Isabelle), Rashid Al-Khalifa (SAPAR Contemporary), and Nasser Al Salem (Iris Projects), among others. Collectors’ Salon and Aldar Hall The fair also welcomes back the Collectors’ Salon, curated by Roxane Zand, with participants including Kent Antiques, Daniel Crouch Rare Books, INLIBRIS, Almine Rech, and Perrotin. Real estate developer Aldar returns as a major partner and will launch a new space—Aldar Hall—at the entrance of Manarat Al Saadiyat. This venue will host galleries from the Gulf region, West Asia, North Africa, and West Africa. Notable exhibitors include Loft Art Gallery, Comptoir de Mines Galerie (Morocco), Yosr Ben Ammar Gallery (Tunisia), and Galerie Farah Fakhri (Ivory Coast). More Than a Fair Abu Dhabi Art positions itself as more than just a commercial event. Alongside gallery booths, the fair features a robust public programme with talks, exhibitions, installations, and performances held year-round across the emirate. The November fair serves as the culmination of these initiatives, offering galleries a platform to present ambitious, site-specific works to a broad and diverse audience. For full details and participating galleries, visit: www.abudhabiart.ae
Bad Bunny to Headline Super Bowl LX Halftime Show in 2026
Puerto Rican global superstar Bad Bunny will take center stage at the world’s biggest sporting event. The NFL announced on Sunday that Bad Bunny—real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio—will headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show, scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. “This is for my people, my culture, and our history” Reacting to the news, Bad Bunny shared an emotional statement: “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history.” The announcement follows the singer’s highly successful two-month residency at Puerto Rico’s Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, which concluded with a live-streamed concert on Amazon. The residency alone generated hundreds of millions in tourism revenue for the island, underlining his massive influence at home and abroad. The halftime show will be produced by Roc Nation, in partnership with the NFL and Apple Music. Jay-Z, founder of Roc Nation, praised the cultural impact of the artist, saying: “What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.” Oliver Schusser, Apple’s Vice President of Music, Sports and Beats, echoed that sentiment: “His music has not only broken records but has elevated Latin music to the center of pop culture.” Bad Bunny joins a growing list of culturally influential artists to headline the Super Bowl stage. The previous halftime show, headlined by Kendrick Lamar, was the most-watched in Super Bowl history, earning four Emmy nominations and a win for Outstanding Music Direction. With his international fan base and undeniable stage presence, Bad Bunny’s performance is expected to be a global event. World Tour Kicks Off in November Ahead of his Super Bowl performance, Bad Bunny is set to launch a world tour starting November, with stops across Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. The artist has previously voiced concerns about performing in the U.S., citing fears of ICE raids at concert venues.
Penny Lancaster Says She Felt ‘Belittled’ by Former MasterChef Host Gregg Wallace
TV personality and former MasterChef contestant Penny Lancaster has revealed she felt “ashamed and belittled” by how former host Gregg Wallace treated her during her time on the show. In an interview with Sky News’ The UK Tonight with Sarah-Jane Mee, Lancaster, who is also a model and married to rock legend Sir Rod Stewart, said she was not only hurt by Wallace’s actions but also felt let down by the show’s producers, Banijay UK. “I didn’t feel like I was supported in that moment,” Lancaster said. “I felt ashamed and belittled by the way Gregg Wallace treated me, but equally disappointed that the production company hadn’t come to my rescue.” Lancaster, now 54, appeared on MasterChef in 2021. She said speaking out was important and part of a broader effort to foster a safer, more respectful working environment in the entertainment industry. “There’s still a long way to go, but just by people being honest about their experiences, I think it helps in the long run,” she added.
Ayra Starr Crowned Biggest Female Afrobeats Artist by Spotify
Global streaming platform Spotify has unveiled its latest rankings of the Top 5 Female Afrobeats Artists of the Last 12 Months, naming Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr as the leading act on the list. Dubbed “the pop star of Afrobeats” by Spotify, Ayra Starr continues her meteoric rise in the global music scene, securing the top position thanks to her consistent streaming numbers, chart-topping hits, and growing international presence. Tems, another Nigerian powerhouse and Grammy Award winner, claimed the second spot, while American-Cameroonian singer Libianca came in third. Malian-French artist Aya Nakamura ranked fourth, and British-Nigerian rapper Darkoo rounded out the top five. Notably absent from the list is South African breakout star Tyla, despite her impressive run over the past year, which included multiple major Afrobeats awards. In addition to the female artist rankings, Spotify also released its list of the Top 5 Afrobeats Artists in Latin America—and Nigerian stars dominated once again. Rema topped the list, followed by Ayra Starr in second place and CKay in third. Heavyweights Burna Boy and Wizkid secured the fourth and fifth spots, respectively. The rankings highlight the continued global influence of Nigerian artists in shaping the sound and reach of Afrobeats across continents.
Disney Reinstates Jimmy Kimmel Following Suspension Over Controversial Comments
After a week-long suspension that sparked a nationwide debate over government interference and free speech, ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to air on Tuesday night. The decision follows days of backlash against Disney and allegations that the show’s suspension was politically motivated. Kimmel’s show had been abruptly pulled from the schedule after several local ABC affiliates preempted it in protest, following comments made by Kimmel that were widely interpreted as critical of the Trump administration. ABC then suspended the program altogether—a move that ignited fierce criticism from media watchdogs, Hollywood figures, and civil rights groups. In a statement on Monday afternoon, Disney explained its initial decision and the rationale for reinstating the late-night host.“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” Disney said. “It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.” A source familiar with Kimmel’s plans told CNN that he will address the controversy in his Tuesday night monologue. Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs weekdays at 11:35 p.m. ET. Media analysts have been closely watching Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment co-chairman Dana Walden as they navigate political and commercial pressures. ABC’s station affiliates, as well as ongoing deals like ESPN’s pending pact with the NFL, require government approvals that some see as vulnerable to political influence. Complicating matters, Kimmel’s contract expires in May, and the late-night TV space has seen consistent declines in viewership and advertising revenue. Kimmel’s suspension stunned the entertainment industry, where the longtime host is seen as a respected and influential figure. The show employs between 200 and 250 people, and its sudden pause led to protests at Disney’s offices in New York and Burbank, California, as well as outside the Hollywood theater where the show is filmed. Public support for Kimmel swelled in the days following the suspension. Over 400 prominent artists, including Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, and Jennifer Aniston, signed an open letter organized by the ACLU demanding his reinstatement. Following ABC’s reversal, ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero said the company “made the right call” by allowing Kimmel to return. “It should never have suspended him to begin with and resisted the government’s desire to control what people say,” Romero said. “Hopefully, other media outlets will also find their spines and resist the Trump administration’s efforts to cudgel them into obeisance.” Democratic lawmakers also praised the move.“Thank you to everyone but @BrendanCarrFCC,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X. “This is a win for free speech everywhere.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed the sentiment, writing, “This is big: Jimmy Kimmel is coming back! This is about fighting for free speech and against these abuses by Donald Trump and Brendan Carr.” Carr, a Republican FCC commissioner, has faced criticism for what many see as political pressure on media outlets. He did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment. However, his FCC colleague, Commissioner Anna M. Gomez—the commission’s lone Democrat—voiced strong support for Kimmel’s return. “I am glad to see Disney find its courage in the face of clear government intimidation,” Gomez said in a statement. “More importantly, I want to thank those Americans from across the ideological spectrum who spoke loudly and courageously against this blatant attempt to silence free speech.” “It will continue to be up to us as citizens to push back against this administration’s growing campaign of censorship and control,” she added. PEN America, one of several free expression organizations that condemned Disney’s initial decision, called Kimmel’s reinstatement “a vindication for free speech.”“This is about remedying his unjustifiable suspension, and reminding us that when people speak out to hold the powerful to account—it matters,” said Summer Lopez, interim co-CEO of PEN America. “We must all channel the same energy to fight the many assaults on free speech underway, including against those with less reach and resources.”
TAFTA’s Kingmaker and Book Cover Thrill Audiences at Terra Kulture
It was an evening of creativity, storytelling, and celebration at Terra Kulture in Victoria Island, Lagos, as the Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA), in partnership with MasterCard, staged two original one-act plays — Kingmaker and Book Cover. The event, part of the TAFTA Action Learning Project (TALP X), brought together emerging talents from TAFTA’s training program and showcased their original scripts, exploring themes of resilience, identity, and self-discovery. Before the curtain rose, the atmosphere was energized by saxophonist Timileyin Sax Monac, who opened the evening with a vibrant performance of Davido’s hit With You and another crowd-pleaser, setting the perfect tone. A Platform for Emerging Voices Both Kingmaker and Book Cover featured standout performances from TAFTA trainees, who brought their stories to life with passion and professionalism, earning enthusiastic applause from a full house. Bolanle Austen-Peters, Founder and CEO of TAFTA, expressed her pride in the performers: “I am so proud of what our trainees are doing. TALP is giving them the opportunity to practically showcase what they’ve learned. My vision is to expand TALP beyond Lagos so more young creatives can share their voices with the world.” TAFTA’s General Manager, Joseph Umoibom — also a producer at BAP Productions — highlighted the program’s broad reach: “Through MasterCard’s support, we’ve trained over 50,000 young creatives across Lagos, Ogun, and Kano. Many of these participants are staging their work for the first time on Nigeria’s biggest theatre platform.” He noted that TAFTA is not only training students in performance but also encouraging them to write, produce, and own their creative narratives. More Than Just a Stage TAFTA, founded by the award-winning director Bolanle Austen-Peters, is a creative institution offering free, world-class training in scriptwriting, lighting and sound design, animation, and creative entrepreneurship. Using both online and in-person methods, it equips young Nigerians with the tools and mentorship needed to thrive in the creative industry. Veteran actor and theatre consultant Dr. Afeez Oyetoro commended the initiative: “The creativity and professionalism displayed by these young talents is remarkable. TALP X is not just entertainment; it is education, social commentary, and a training ground for Nigeria’s next generation of theatre professionals.” Hands-On Learning in Action TALP (TAFTA Action Learning Project) is the final stage of TAFTA’s program, where students are grouped into production teams to collaboratively write and perform original plays. This real-world approach transforms learning into lived experience, preparing trainees for careers in theatre and beyond. By the end of the evening, the audience left inspired — a testament to the power of storytelling and the promise of Nigeria’s growing creative community.
Peter Obi Surprises Charly Boy with Ghana Must Go Bag Full of Fruits
By Kamal Yalwa | September 19, 2025 Veteran Nigerian entertainer and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has shared a lighthearted and touching account of an early morning visit from former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Charly Boy narrated how he received a surprise call from Obi at around 1:00 am, informing him of a planned courtesy visit by 5:00 am the same morning. Despite the unusual timing, the singer and socio-political commentator said he obliged — only to be met with an unexpected gift. “As I come downstairs to meet him, na so I see one big Ghana Must Go [bag] by the entrance of my sitting room,” Charly Boy wrote in his signature blend of English and Pidgin. “I look at the bag, I just dey wonder, wetin fit dey inside this bag?” According to Charly Boy, the two spent nearly two hours discussing Nigeria, politics, and family matters before Obi finally gestured to the bag, saying: “See small thing I bring for you.” Initially, Charly Boy didn’t open it. But after Obi left, curiosity got the better of him. What he found inside left him in stitches. “Inside the bag was three bottles of roasted groundnuts, many alligator pepper, kolanuts, pawpaw, oranges, agara, mangos, bananas, etc — wey Obi pack by himself.” He called Obi to thank him, only to receive a humble reply: “Senior, I no fit give you money, but I fit give you this one — na my hand pick.” Reacting to the gesture, Charly Boy wrote: “Which kind of native intelligence pass this one?” The moment has since resonated with many online, seen as a reflection of Obi’s often-praised simplicity and grassroots approach. Charly Boy, a vocal supporter of Obi and prominent figure in the “Obidient” movement, was one of the high-profile advocates of the Labour Party’s campaign during the 2023 presidential election.
Davido Confirmed as Only Nigerian Artiste Set to Perform at Coachella 2026
By Kamal Yalwa | September 17, 2025 Afrobeats global icon Davido has been officially announced as the only Nigerian artist slated to perform at the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, marking a major milestone in his international career. The announcement places Davido on one of the most prestigious stages in global music, as Coachella remains one of the world’s most influential and widely attended music festivals. The 2026 edition of the festival will run across two weekends — April 10–12 and April 17–19 — in Indio, California, with a star-studded lineup that includes global chart-toppers Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G, and Anyma as headliners. This marks Davido’s debut Coachella performance, adding yet another accolade to his growing list of international achievements and further cementing Afrobeats’ global dominance. Fans around the world are already expressing excitement across social media, hailing the artist’s inclusion as a proud moment for Nigeria and African music.