Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Don’t be Averse to Auditions, Actor advises Young Talents
Nigerian actor, Efa Iwara, on Wednesday urged up-and-coming actors not to look down at auditions while pursuing a career in the movie industry.
Iwara made the urge while speaking on “Navigating a Career in Nollywood”, with Ayokunle Ayoko, a legal practitioner, during an Instagram Live on Wednesday.
The award winning actor encouraged intending actors to always attend auditions whenever they were invited and also put in their best.
“Some people keep saying filmmakers are giving roles to the same set of actors and not giving others the opportunity, which is not true. Don’t be jaded by this and not go for auditions.
“Before me there was Ramsey Nouah, O.
C Ukeje, Richard Mofe-Damijo and others. They are all still acting. So, there is always space for new actors. Stop saying they don’t want to hire new guys.“They will always hire new guys, trust me, everyone’s time is coming. So, go for auditions; put your best food forward; pray to God and do your best.
“Sometimes you can walk into an audition and you see popular faces. Don’t start saying oh, this one is here, I can’t get it. If they were not ready to try someone else, they wouldn’t have invited you.
“The mere fact that you are in that room means you stand a chance. So give it your all,” he said.
Iwara, who used to be a rapper said same applied to the music industry especially the rap scene, adding that although, music had evolved but a rapper from the “old school” could do something with the “new school” and vice versa.
The actor said the music industry was also doing well following the nominations and winning of Grammy by Nigerian artistes.
Iwara said the advent of streaming platforms was taking the Nigerian film industry to the international space.
“I keep seeing people approach me to say he looks familiar whenever I travel out of the country.
“I remember there was this time, I think it was the British Parliament discussing the movie ‘King of Boys’. They were talking about our movies and export.
“That shows that we are headed in the right direction. Like I said, we are just one movie away from breaking in there, ” he said. (NAN)
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Nigerian Men Scared of Bold, Confident Women, Phyna Claims
Former Big Brother Naija winner, Josephine Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has claimed that she is still single because Nigerian men are scared of confident and independent women.
Speaking during a recent livestream on Twitch, the reality star claimed that most Nigerian men prefer women they can control when choosing a life partner and avoid independent women.
Phyna explained that expressive women like her are the worst hit because most men judge them by their social media rhetoric and decide to avoid them even before meeting them.
The actress said she is, however, not bothered by the trend, stressing that she can’t change herself to fit into a man’s expectations.
“I am a ten over ten. The thing is just that men are scared of bold and confident women. There are someone women that by mere looking at them you know that you can’t control them. But our Nigerian men like women that they can control.
“They don’t want women who have says or are exposed. So, we that are very loud about how we are, even without they meeting us, they are already scared and forming assumptions. But I really don’t care,” she expressed.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
How God Changed My Story after 16 Years in Music, Says Spyro
Afrobeats singer Spyro has revealed that 16 years of perseverance and struggle in the music industry finally paid off three years ago, attributing his success to divine intervention.
In a social media post, Spyro shared his testimony, recalling a period of profound struggle and disappointment that preceded his breakthrough.
He explained that it was at this critical juncture that his fortunes changed.
Following his past struggles, the singer now encourages others facing similar challenges, urging them to hold on to their dreams and never give up.
He attributes his turnaround to God, who transformed his life and propelled him to success three years ago.
Spyro wrote, “If someone had told me 3 years ago that I would become this fly, I would have argued it, and now I look at my life, and all I can say to someone reading this is please don’t give up…
“I have been in the industry hustling for 16 years, and I was at my lowest when JESUS changed it all, and that same JESUS is still in the business of changing lives, JUST BELIEVE.”
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Asake Reaffirms Loyalty to Olamide, Downplays Split Rumours
Afrobeats star Asake has reiterated his unwavering loyalty to his former label boss and mentor, Olamide, amid speculation of a fallout between the two artists.
Despite removing YBNL from his Instagram bio and unfollowing Olamide in December 2024, Asake in a recent interview with YouTuber Korty EO, emphasised that his perception of the rapper remains unchanged, stating, “Till the world ends, Baddo will always be Baddo.
The way I saw Baddo yesterday is the same way I see him today, and that will be the same way I will see him tomorrow, even if I become the president of America or Zimbabwe. Baddo will always be Baddo”.This development followed reports that Asake’s contract with YBNL may have expired, with the singer opting for independence rather than renewing the deal.
While neither Asake nor Olamide has publicly addressed the situation, industry insiders believe the split was amicable.
Asake has consistently credited Olamide for changing his life, and his latest comments reaffirm their enduring professional and personal bond.

