Nigeria Showbiz Latest News and Updates

Marta Balaga David Pérez Sañudo (“Ane is Missing”) and Carlos Vila Sexto (“Motivos Personales”) are ready for a different kind of hero in “Detective Touré.” A six-episode series, backed by Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, Detective Touré AIE, Tornasol Media, DeAPlaneta and Basque state TV EITB, the series is based on stories by Jon Arretxe. The series first caught attention when selected as a project at Series Mania’s 2022 Co-Pro Pitching Sessions. Sneak-peaked at Content Americas in January, it was one of the highlights at its Spain Content Goldmine.

French director Claire Denis is set to return to West Africa for her next feature film, an adaptation of late French playwright Bernard-Marie Koltès’s 1980 work Black Battles With Dogs (Combat de nègre et de chiens).

Ice Spice is sharing some of her biggest musical inspirations. The fan-favorite singer, who is proud of her Dominican and Nigerian roots, revealed to Billboard that she listens to her favorite artists on repeat, including Lana Del Rey, and Rihanna.How Taylor Swift and Ice Spice became Hollywood’s new best friendsKaty Perry reunites with Taylor Swift and dances along to ‘Bad Blood’Taylor Swift at Coachella? Why fans think she might perform with Lana Del ReyThe rapper previously revealed to Complex that one of her go-to albums is Lana’s 2014 ‘Ultraviolence.’ “I’m obsessed with her, and I feel like all of her songs are hits, even the ones that aren’t as big as the others,” Ice Spice said about the singer’s discography.The pair also posed for a photo at the pre-Grammys gala at the Beverley Hilton in Los Angeles. During her interview with Billboard, the rapper mentioned the rest of the musicians she listens to.

Thania Garcia Justin Timberlake has recruited a slate of collaborators including Nigerian singer Fireboy DML, rapper and singer Tobe Nwigwe and his former NSYNC bandmates for his upcoming new album, “Everything I Thought It Was.” Timberlake teased NSYNC’s involvement in his first solo album in five years on TikTok last week, responding to an eagle-eyed fan who had caught the band name on the tracklist while Timberlake was previewing the set’s deluxe vinyl edition. NSYNC is featured on a single called “Paradise,” which is the band’s second single of the decade following “Better Place,” a song featured on the “Trolls Band Together” soundtrack.

EXCLUSIVE: 3Point0 Labs, the talent management house headed by former CAA agent and Francis Ngannou manager Marquel Martin, is launching a talent and literary advisory division with the signing of The Black Book producer Anakle Films.

Christopher Vourlias The anticipated goldrush for African creators sparked by Netflix’s 2016 entry into the market hasn’t entirely come to fruition, though the influx of investment from local and global streaming platforms has nevertheless been transformative for Africa’s screen industries. Budgets, production values and outputs are rising, and breakout hits — such as Netflix’s Nigerian thriller “The Black Book” and South African teen drama “Blood & Water” — highlight the power of global streaming services to deliver African stories to audiences around the world.

Anna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. The Nigerian rapper Burna Boy, one of Africa’s biggest superstars credited with introducing the rest of the world to afro-fusion music, is the face of the latest campaign from the Dutch clothing brand G-Star Raw. The collaboration, which officially launched on Feb.

Christopher Vourlias Akin Omotoso, the filmmaker behind Disney Plus’ Giannis Antetokounmpo biopic “Rise,” has been attached to direct “The Plot to Save South Africa,” an adaptation of Justice Malala’s gripping book about a 1990s white supremacist plot that almost plunged the young democracy into civil war. “The Plot to Save South Africa” will be produced by Johannesburg-based production outfit Ochre Moving Pictures, which signed a deal with Netflix last year to adapt multiple books for the streaming service alongside Omotoso.

Apparently, 90 Day Fiancé stars Angela Deem and Michael Ilesanm got into an altercation — long before he suddenly left her this month!

It’s only been two months since 90 Day Fiancé star Michael Ilesanmi moved to the United States from his native Nigeria to live with his American wife who is more than two decades older than him. And he’s already flown the coop!!

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Universal Music Group has announced a majority investment in the Nigeria-based Afrobeats powerhouse label Mavin Global (Mavin). The label, based in Lagos, is home to such hits as Rema’s “Calm Down” — the Selena Gomez-featuring remix of which was No. 12 on Variety’s 2023 Hitmakers chart and is the most-viewed video on YouTube by an African artists — and other artists including Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Johnny Drille and more.

Naman Ramachandran MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Paramount Global and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have partnered on “In Bloom,” a short film anthology focusing on gender equity. Directed by emerging female filmmakers from Nigeria, Kenya, India, the U.S. and Brazil, the anthology addresses a range of issues including period poverty, child marriage, gender-based violence, HIV self- stigma, family planning and women’s economic empowerment.

Porsha Williams is ending her marriage.

Burna Boy made a reported $12million from eight concerts.The figures were shared by ChartsAfrica on X (formerly Twitter), and showed that the Nigerian singer-songwriter is responsible for eight of the 10 highest-grossing concerts by an African artist over the past two years.The figures took into consideration his eight shows across 2022 and 2023, and revealed that the gigs brought in approximately $11.8million (£9.31m).Gigs taken into account included his slot at La Defense Arena in Paris, which brought in $2.86million, his slot at Madison Square Garden ($1.58m), Ziggo Dome in the Netherlands ($1.56m) and Capital One Arena in the US ($1.43m).Other shows featured his slot at The O2 in London ($1.35m) as well as more US shows at BMO Stadium ($1.22m), State Farm Arena ($905,024), and Oakland Arena ($885,278).The remainder of the Top 10 list includes both of Wizkid’s shows at Madison Square Garden, which brought the artist a combined $1.95 million.However, as reported by Business Day, the figures aren’t to imply that Burna Boy went home with the full amount calculated, as that figure will have been split to cover costs from his team, the venues, promoters, marketing and tax laws.The outlet also draws attention to a report from The Guardian, which tallied out the various deductions from artists’ touring incomes – noting that taxes account for between five and 35 per cent, and public performance royalties count for just under one per cent.

Sebastien Haller completed a fairytale comeback as the cancer survivor fired the Ivory Coast to African Cup of Nations glory on home soil.

Carlos Aguilar The graceful movements of 12-year-old Anthony Madu, a boy from Lagos, Nigeria, with a zeal for ballet, are inherently cinematic: arms stretched out to the sky, his body contorting like a determined feather fending off a gust of wind, just before he pirouettes with elegant agility that commands attention. At school, however, he faces constant bullying since his passion doesn’t fit his country’s traditional gender role expectations.

EXCLUSIVE: Goodfellas has acquired world sales rights for Emilio Estevez’s The Way: Chapter 2, reuniting the actor-director with the cast members of his original 2010 hit, father Martin Sheen, Yorick Van Wageningen and James Nesbitt.

Walk along Seafield Road and nothing appears out of the ordinary. Charming old terraced homes line the quiet residential street.

Cameroon coach Rigobert Song has denied the suggestion that he has fallen out with Andre Onana after he was dropped for the crucial Africa Cup of Nations win over Gambia last week.

Andre Onana's Manchester United return will be delayed after Cameroon secured a dramatic victory to qualify for the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Burna Boy, Luke Combs and Travis Scott have been added to the lineup of performers for the 66th annual Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy announced on Sunday, joining previously announced artists Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and Olivia Rodrigo. Additional acts, presenters and more will be announced in the coming weeks. The Grammy Awards will return to Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Feb.

Skepta has teamed up with Idris Elba and Odumodublvck to create ‘Jangrova’, the first song from the Tribal Mark soundtrack. Check out the single below.Released yesterday (January 19), ‘Jangrova’ sees Skepta, Idris Elba and Odumodublvck rap in English and Nigerian Pidgin.

Jaden Thompson The complete program for the 39th Santa Barbara International Film Festival has been announced. Taking place from Feb. 7-17, the festival will open with the world premiere of the documentary “Madu,” directed by Matt Ogens and Joel ‘Kachi Benson.

Brent Lang Executive Editor WhatsApp and Giannis Antetokounmpo are teaming up to release“Ugo: A Homecoming Story,” an original documentary that takes fans along as the Greek-Nigerian NBA superstar returns to Nigeria for the first time. The film is directed by Rick Famuyiwa, the filmmaker behind “Dope” and “The Mandalorian,” and will be available to view on YouTube and in select markets on Prime Video starting Jan. 16.

BreAnna Bell Amazon MGM Studios has signed an exclusive first-look TV and film deal with “Lizzo’s Watch Out For the Big Grrrls” Director Nneka Onuorah, the studio announced on Tuesday. “Nneka has a track record of crafting stories that excite, intrigue, and inspire,” said Vernon Sanders, Amazon MGM Studios’ head of television. “This is a process we’ve been fortunate to experience firsthand, and we cannot wait to reignite our professional relationship under this formal deal.” Onuorah won the Primetime Emmy award for outstanding directing for a reality program for Prime Video’s “Lizzo’s Watch Out For The Big Grrrls” in September 2022.

EXCLUSIVE: Amazon MGM Studios has signed an exclusive first-look series and film deal with Emmy-winning director Nneka Onuorah.

Anna Marie de la Fuente With the exception of Nigeria’s Nollywood, which produces an average of 2,500 films a year, Africa’s “potential as a film powerhouse remains largely untapped” despite great strides in production, according to a Unesco report. Brazil’s Spcine, the city of São Paulo’s film-TV body, is hoping to change the status quo.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor From Hollywood strikes to the ascent of AI to sinking stock prices, 2023 was a topsy-turvy year for media and entertainment. Cynthia Littleton and Andrew Wallenstein, hosts of Variety podcast “Strictly Business,” discuss the highs and lows of the past year on the latest episode.

The BBC‘s latest Agatha Christie adaptation concluded last night neck-and-neck in the ratings with ITV‘s Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? from over the Easter Weekend.

Once Christmas Day is out the way the festivities do not end across the UK. The following day, known as Boxing Day, is a bank holiday with many families using it to extend the celebration and spend more time together.

Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa's journey to stardom hasn't been a walk in the park, as he's battled with depression and homelessness.The Rwandan-Scottish actor, who shot to fame on Netflix's Sex Education, has become the 14th Time Lord, following in the footsteps of Jodie Whittaker, David Tennant, and Matt Smith. But what's the story behind this 31 year old actor? Let's delve into his off-screen life, from his struggles with homelessness to his fight for privacy, breaking stereotypes and the question he's always asked. Born in Rwanda, Ncuti and his family moved to Scotland amidst the 1994 genocide.

Nearly 40 years after it topped the UK Christmas pop chart and made millions of pounds for charity, Band Aid’s charity anthem has come under fresh fire for its lyrics, which critics say perpetuate racist and patronising stereotypes of African people.

Agatha Christie would have approved of modern-day revisions to her written works, says her great-grandson James Pritchard.

Angelique Jackson The Paramount Pictures adaptation of the hit YA book “Children of Blood and Bone” is taking another step toward the big screen, with Gina Prince-Bythewood signing on to direct. Prince-Bythewood will develop the next pass of a draft penned by author Tomi Adeyemi. The action fantasy novel follows heroine Zélie Adebola, who belongs to a class of magic practicioners know as the maji, as she attempts to restore magic to the kingdom of Orïsha, following the ruling class kosidáns’ brutal suppression of her people.

Murtada Elfadl Shot in dense, high-contrast black and white, writer-director C.J. “Fiery” Obasi’s “Mami Wata,” unspools like a mysterious dream. It’s both inscrutable and hypnotic, delivering indelible images while remaining narratively opaque.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor The trailer has launched for Adar Shafran‘s drama-comedy “Running on Sand,” which is being sold worldwide by Picture Tree International, ahead of the Israeli film’s international premiere at Palm Springs Film Festival (Jan. 1 – 15). It is released in Israel on Thursday by United King Films.