Entertainment

Ghosted or Entitled? The Wumi Toriola vs. Chef T drama and the business of collaboration

Published

Monday, 16 June 2025, 1:37 pm

Contents

The recent social media fallout between Nollywood actress Wumi Toriola and food blogger Chef T, aka Diary of a Kitchen Lover, has sparked an interesting conversation about collaboration, and entitlement. and the blurred lines between film stars and digital influencers in Nigeria’s entertainment space.The Nollywood-Influencer crossover. Collaboration is a two-way street Final Thoughts

Toriola’s public call-out stemmed from an unanswered Instagram DM she sent to Chef T in August 2024, requesting a collaboration.

She later posted a screenshot of the message on March 13, 2025, expressing frustration over the lack of response.

Her caption, laced with disappointment, suggested that Chef T had become too big to acknowledge others, igniting a debate about professional courtesy and the unwritten rules of collaboration.

While some social media users supported Toriola’s grievance, arguing that Chef T could have simply responded with a “yes” or “no,” others found her approach entitled.

Critics pointed out that collaborations are voluntary, not obligatory, and questioned whether Toriola was offering Chef T any real value in return.

Some even speculated that the actress was attempting to leverage the food blogger’s platform to promote an upcoming project, rather than genuinely engaging in mutual creative exchange.

READ ALSO: Lagos court orders public apology over cultural misrepresentation in ‘Gangs of Lagos’

The Nollywood-Influencer crossover.

This incident highlights the growing overlap between Nollywood stars and social media influencers.

While actors once relied solely on film roles and media appearances for relevance, today’s digital era demands more visibility beyond the big screen. Many now collaborate with influencers to stay in the public eye and promote projects.

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However, these partnerships aren’t always seamless. Influencers operate differently, building their platforms on personal branding, audience trust, and carefully curated content.

Unlike actors who work within structured productions, influencers control their creative direction and business interests.

This autonomy allows them to accept or decline collaborations based on what fits their brand, making mutual benefit a key factor in any successful partnership.

Collaboration is a two-way street

One key lesson from this controversy is that collaboration should be mutually beneficial. A Nollywood actor appearing in a cooking video may seem like a win for the actor’s exposure, but does it provide equal value to the influencer?

This question becomes even more relevant when considering the logistics; who covers production costs, how the content is monetised, and whether it genuinely enhances engagement for both parties.

Without a clear win-win situation, influencers, like Chef T, may feel justified in ignoring unsolicited requests.

On the flip side, professional courtesy still matters. Even if a collaboration isn’t of interest, a simple response, whether affirmative or a polite decline can go a long way in maintaining industry relationships.

Ghosting, particularly in creative industries, can come off as dismissive and burn potential bridges.

Given the unpredictable nature of entertainment and digital media, today’s ‘irrelevant’ request might become tomorrow’s golden opportunity.

Final Thoughts

At its core, this drama isn’t just about a missed DM; it reflects the evolving entertainment landscape where Nollywood stars and influencers increasingly intersect.

The lines between traditional celebrity culture and digital creators are blurring, requiring new rules of engagement.

For Nollywood actors, influencers aren’t just platforms for visibility; they are creators with carefully built brands. For influencers, a simple response, even to decline helps maintain goodwill.

Ultimately, successful collaborations thrive on mutual respect, clear communication, and shared value. When both sides strike this balance, creative partnerships can flourish; without the social media drama.

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Entertainment

AMVCA-winning drama ‘Freedom Way’ set for Nationwide cinema release this July

Published

2 hours ago

June 16, 2025

Julie

Contents

After making waves on the global festival circuit and clinching major accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), the much-anticipated Freedom Way is finally coming home.

Freedom Way is the brainchild of award-winning writer-producer Blessing Uzzi, under her independent production banner Bluhouse Studios.

The film marks the directorial debut of Olalekan Afolabi, whose vision brings to life a hauntingly familiar Nigeria teetering under the weight of political upheaval and societal strain.

READ THIS: Tyler Perry: From homeless to Hollywood; the life of a media mogul

At its core, Freedom Way is a sobering reflection on survival in turbulent times. When a cascade of unforgiving government policies sends shockwaves through an already-pressured society, nine strangers, each wrestling with their own battles, are thrust into situations that bind their fates.

As their paths unexpectedly converge, they’re forced to confront their breaking points and the moral lines they’re willing to cross just to stay afloat.

The powerhouse ensemble is led by Debo ‘Mr Macaroni’ Adedayo and Femi Jacobs, whose performances captivated AMVCA voters, winning the film Best Film and Best Writing, along with nominations for Best Sound Design, Best Music, and a Best Supporting Actor nod for Jacobs.

The cast also features stellar turns from Mike Afolarin, Bimbo Akintola, Akin Lewis, Ogranya Jable Osai, Meg Otanwa, Jesse Suntele, Teniola Aladese, and Tiwalola Adebola-Walter.

The film made its global premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2024, before travelling to AFRIFF, where it won the Jury Prize, and later screened at the New York African Film Festival and Red Sea International Film Festival. These international stops cemented Freedom Way as one of the year’s standout African films.

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READ ALSO: You can find these Tyler Perry movies on Netflix today

Speaking about the journey, Uzzi shared, “It feels surreal and deeply emotional to finally have Freedom Way screen here in Nigeria. This story was born out of real observations, real pain. I wanted to hold up a mirror for viewers, to see themselves, their neighbours, and maybe find healing or at least understanding.”

For director Afolabi, whose personal experiences shaped his storytelling approach, the film is as much a political statement as it is a cinematic one. “I’ve lived this story in more ways than one. Millions of Nigerians have. If Freedom Way gets people to pause, reflect, and start honest conversations, then I’ll feel like we’ve done something worthwhile.”

With its timely themes, raw performances, and evocative writing, Freedom Way promises to be more than just a film; it aims to be a reckoning.

ALSO READ: 10 Tyler Perry films every aspiring Nigerian filmmaker should study

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Entertainment

'You’re a very stupid girl' – Ayra Starr slammed over Benue killings

Published

5 hours ago

June 16, 2025

Julie

Contents

Nigerian pop star Ayra Starr has found herself at the center of online backlash over her perceived silence following the tragic killings in Benue State that reportedly claimed over 200 lives.

The controversy began after the singer posted a casual tweet during the mourning period, prompting an X user to call her out, saying, “She doesn’t read the room at all.”

She doesn’t read the room at all https://t.co/Aj5ZC17bO7
— LIYA FAN GURLLLL🧝🏼‍♀️✨ (@LBirdapp) June 15, 2025

“We not in the same room, babes,” the singer clapped back.

The response sparked even more outrage online, with many branding the comment insensitive and many others calling her post ‘tone-deaf.’

We not in the same room babes https://t.co/dCntykitgG
— Celestial being (@ayrastarr) June 15, 2025

See some reactions to Ayra’s post:

Lmfaoooo, this ain’t it.This ain’t it at alllll.

200+ people died in Benue, and your comeback for not reading the room is that you’re not in it? That’s so insensitive of you

200+ people died in Benue, and your comeback for not reading the room is that you’re not in it? That’s so insensitive of you
— David Of Fct🌝 (@Dhavidote) June 16, 2025

Yeah, you’re funny. You cooked. So far they can’t get to you, it doesn’t matter…This is very insensitive, but enjoy

As the backlash grew, Ayra Starr returned to X to defend herself, accusing critics of deliberately misunderstanding her and using her as a scapegoat.

There’s nothing I can do nor say to people that intentionally want to bully and misunderstand me every time , you’ve found a scapegoat abi ? Focus on issues that actually matter and leave me tf alone.

Recall that in the early hours of June 13, 2025, suspected armed herdsmen in Benue State launched coordinated attacks on Daudu and Yelewata communities in Guma Local Government Area. Homes were set ablaze with people trapped inside, and entire families were butchered, children, the elderly, massacring hundreds.

The extent of the violence sparked national outrage, and Pope Leo spoke out condemning the killings. However, many Nigerians have called out President Tinubu over his perceived silence on the killings.

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Entertainment

Peller, Jarvis relationship hits rough patch as both trade accusations online

Published

8 hours ago

June 16, 2025

Julie

Contents

TikTok celebrity couple, Jarvis and Peller, are going through a rough patch in their relationship, with both of them accusing the other of wrongdoings.

Jarvis, on her part, broke down in tears during a live-streaming session while opening up about the issues in their relationship.

In the emotionally charged live session that featured other popular TikTokers, Sandra Benede and Seun Pizzle, Jarvis accused Peller of consistently breaching her trust by publicly sharing private details of their relationship.

Jarvis disclosed that Peller’s apparent inability to filter the things to make public about their relationship has led her to stop confiding in him altogether.

ALSO READ: Peller fires back at pastor who “blamed” him, Jarvis, for JAMB failures; threatens lawsuit

She said, “he doesn’t know how to filter his words when he’s live,” expressing frustration about personal issues Peller discusses during his live sessions.

Jarvis admitted that there are a number of reasons for the recent disagreement. She said, “There are many reasons Peller is angry, but he’s taking it public. We’ve already talked about these things privately, but because it hasn’t been addressed online…”

Telling his side of the story during his own live session, Peller accused Jarvis of being secretive, saying she’s in the habit of not informing him of her plans in advance.

He insisted that he’s open with her about his life and doesn’t hold anything back.

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An apparently frustrated Peller went on to say he’s been deeply hurt by Jarvis, and he is only now trying to take her back.

ALSO READ: Peller gave me a promise ring – Jarvis debunks engagement speculations

He said, “How can I claim this kind of girl? Do you know what this girl did? I don’t like Jarvis; she has offended me. I’m just helping her life now. I’m trying to accept her back, but she has already hurt me.”

This is not the first time Jarvis and Peller have had a go at each other publicly. In March 2025, Jarvis called out Peller and threatened to end their engagement following another heated argument.