Portable ‘rejects’ N5m to perform at Tinubu’s concert, Tina Turner’s death… top stories of last week

Last week was eventful in showbiz. TheCable Lifestyle examines the top entertainment news that got tongues wagging in the past seven days. 

SEUN KUTI RELEASED AFTER EIGHT DAYS IN POLICE DETENTION 

Seun Kuti was released to his family members on May 23 after spending eight days in police detention.

The 40-year-old was arrested on May 15 after he was filmed assaulting a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge.

He was detained the following day at the state criminal investigation Department (SCID) and arraigned before the Yaba magistrate’s court on May 16.

Shortly after his release, the singer departed Nigeria to Europe on a concert tour.

CELINE DION CANCELS WORLD TOUR AMID NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER BATTLE

Last Friday, Celine Dion announced the cancellation of all her upcoming 2023 and 2024 world tours in the wake of her battle with a neurological disorder. 

In December, the songstress revealed she was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS).

The ‘My Heart Will Go On’ crooner said she is heartbroken by the sudden cancellation.

“With a sense of tremendous disappointment, Celine Dion’s Courage World Tour today announced the cancellation of all remaining dates currently on sale for 2023 and 2024. As the world has emerged from the pandemic, Celine has continued to be treated for a diagnosed medical condition that prevents her from performing,” she said. 

Celine also announced a refund for the purchased tickets.

ACE SINGER TINA TURNER DIES AT 83 

Tina Turner, the legendary singer famous for her hit song ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’, passed away aged 83.

According to a statement released by Bernard Doherty, her spokesperson, Turner died peacefully on Wednesday in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland.

“With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model,” the statement added.

Tina, born Anna Mae Bullock, battled an illness before she passed on.

A private funeral ceremony will be held for close friends and family.

KCEE RESPONDS TO ASA’S MOCKERY IN 2021

Kcee finally reacted to a video in which Bukola Elemide, the songstress better known as Asa, mocked him in 2021.

Asa had in an interview taunted Kcee, saying he treated a music competition he won over two decades ago as if it were a Grammy award.

The songstress also described him as an “idiot” for saying she cried over losing the competition to him.

In his reaction, Kcee said he wished Asa understood his message which he said might have been misinterpreted by her.

He said despite the fact that he loves Asa’s songs, he remains unperturbed by her opinion about him because “it adds nothing to my pocket”.

OLAYODE JULIANA APOLOGISES TO FUNKE AKINDELE AFTER A SIX-YEAR FEUD

Olayode Juliana, the actress, tendered a public apology to Funke Akindele after a six-year feud.

In 2017, Juliana was dropped from ‘Jenifa’s Diary’, Akindele’s sitcom, over a monetary dispute.  

But on Saturday, Juliana acknowledged that she experienced fame because of Akindele.

She said her lack of industry knowledge and a misguided guardian caused her to feud with the filmmaker.

“God used Aunty Funke Akindele @funkejenifaakindele to put me into the limelight,” Juliana wrote.

“The kind of fame I earned from playing Toyosi in Jenifa’s Diary was too enormous for my understanding.

“However, the lack of industry nitty gritty started manifesting in me, coupled with the fact that I had a guardian (manager) who didn’t understand how the entertainment industry works.

“I am incredibly sorry for how I hurt you and how the email that was sent hurt you. Please forgive me for my childish mistakes of the past, I am deeply sorry for everything. I love you eternally Aunty Funke.”

Funke Akindele took to the comment section to reply to her apology.

DAVIDO, KUNLE AFOLAYAN, AND OSIMHEN LISTED FOR NATIONAL HONOURS

Davido, Victor Osimhen, and Kunle Afolayan are among the entertainers listed for the national award honours.

The ministry of special duties and inter-governmental affairs announced the award in various cadres.

Davido and Afolayan, the filmmaker, were awarded the Officer Of The Order of The Niger (OON), while Osimhen was awarded an MFR (Member of The Order of Federal Republic).

All the award recipients were asked to send a soft copy of their citation or resume to the ministry before May 31.

They are also expected to be physically present for the reception of their medals and certificates on June 1, 2023.

PORTABLE ‘REJECTS’ N5M TO PERFORM AT TINUBU’S CONCERT

Portable said he didn’t perform at Bola Tinubu’s inauguration concert because he was “offered N5 million instead of N10 million.”

On Thursday, a concert was organised in Abuja by the youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to celebrate Tinubu’s victory in the presidential election.

Asake, Wande Coal, and Brymo were among the music stars who thrilled the audience at the event.

Portable lambasted some of his colleagues who performed at the concert while claiming he was sidelined by the concert organisers over a disagreement on what he would be paid.