As we close the book on another year, we can’t help but look back and reflect on the incredible stories that resonated with you, our amazing readers. From heartwarming weddings and electrifying music to prestigious awards and unforgettable fashion moments, 2023 has been a year to remember.
Among the plethora of stories we covered, some held a special place in your hearts. These were the stories that touched your souls, opened your minds, and left you wanting more. Today, we present these 23 special reads, in no particular order:
Ini Edo Shares First Look of Daughter on Her 2nd Birthday
Nollywood actress Ini Edo took to Instagram in March to share a first look at her daughter Light on her 2nd birthday. In an interview with BellaNaija, the actress opened up about motherhood. She revealed that being a mom has changed her life in ways she never imagined. You can watch it here.
Uzoamaka Okafor: Things People Don’t Tell You About Moving to the UK
Uzoamaka Okafor reflected on her experiences moving to the UK and shared some tips on how to prepare for moving to the UK and what to expect when coming to the UK for studies or whatever.
It’s Finally Here! Listen to Davido’s “Timeless” Album
Meet the 20 Housemates in the Big Brother Titans House
Big Brother Naija and Big Brother Mzansi joined forces for this year’s season, which was named “Big Brother Titans.” It premiered in January and featured 20 housemates from Nigeria and South Africa. They competed for a grand prize of $100,000. Some of the notable housemates were Khosi, Yemi Cregx, and Juice Jay, co-hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu from Big Brother Naija and Lawrence Maleka from Big Brother Mzansi. At the show’s end, Khosi emerged as the winner, with Kanaga Jnr as the first runner-up.
See the 10 Times Hilda Baci Schooled Us in Style – You’re Welcome!
Hilda exudes an impeccable sense of style, making her a true standout in the industry. When Hilda steps out of her chef uniform, she effortlessly showcases her enviable figure adorned in a stunning array of form-fitting outfits. With a penchant for vibrant hues and an impressive collection of head-turning dresses, she consistently catches the eye and leaves a lasting impression wherever she goes.
See How Tems’ Stunning Met Gala Look Came Together In This Celebrity Glam Process Breakdown
With back-to-back statement appearances at some of the most sensational events this year, Grammy award-winning Nigerian singer-songwriter — Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems — took her rightful place as a style star to watch out for on the global scene. The star was spotted making another fashion statement at fashion’s biggest night — The Met Gala. She showed up in a monochrome mermaid corset dress by London-based eponymous fashion label — Robert Wun, led by namesake Hong Kong-born fashion designer.
Hello Scar & Shalewa! The Cast of “Shanty Town” Stun in New Photos
We introduced you to the cast of “Shanty Town”, a six-part Nigerian crime thriller created by Xavier Ighorodje and Chichi Nworah. The story centres around three hustlers in Lagos who team up to fight against the biggest and most brutal crime ring in the state. Recently, some of the stars of the show, including Chidi Mokeme, Nancy Isime, Ini Edo, Mercy Eke, Ali Nuhu, and the producer of the film, Chichi Nworah, came together off-camera to serve some premium glam.
Davido Confirms He & Chioma are Officially Married! ❤️
Nigerian superstar singer and performer Davido announced that he and Chioma are officially married. He made this big reveal in an exclusive interview with content creator and actress, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori. Davido said, “Just being away, you know I have had a lot to think about definitely. Time to rest, reflect on a lot of family time and time to make music again. You know, I remade the album. Before I went on a break I actually had an album ready. I had a tour ready. You know we did the album. I travelled. It was crazy. I’m married. A lot of different things but yeah, we are ready now to get back on the road. The album is out, it’s amazing.”
BellaNaija Style Best Dressed List: These 12 LEWKS From AMVCA 2023 Caught Everyone’s Attention
The 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards held plenty of show-stopping bespoke fashion. We saw Nana Akua Addo cement herself once again as one of the best-dressed stars of the night after arriving on the red carpet in a form-fitting sculptural Cary Santiago masterpiece featuring 3D birds. Also among this year’s best-dressed was Sharon Ooja Egwurube, who stole the show in a Sheye Oladejo heavenly textured two-piece featuring crystal embellishments and rosettes.
We Still Can’t Get Over Real Warri Pikin’s Dance Moves at #AniIke2023
Nigerian comedienne and actress Anita Asuoha, popularly known as Real Warri Pikin,” had her dream wedding and vow renewal reception with her husband of ten years, Ikechukwu Asuoha, on June 10, 2023. The event, which played host to some of Nigeria’s most fabulous and loved celebrities in their glamorous yellow-themed Asoebis, had a lot of wonderful moments. One sweet moment that caught the eye and trended on social media was when Anita treated her husband to a wonderfully choreographed dance routine.
Wizkid, Rema, Tobi Amusan, Eche Chinonso, Sandra Ikeji… Meet the Nigerians Who Have Set Guinness World Records
We spotlighted the exceptional Nigerians who have shattered barriers and set Guinness World Records. Among them are those who attempted to surpass existing records, some who exceeded their previous achievements, and others who remain undefeated in their respective records. Each one of them has made an extraordinary impact. From iconic music legends like Fela Kuti and Wizkid to phenomenal dancers such as Kaffy and Pink Debbie to the record-breaking DJs like DJ Obi and DJ Venum, the following list showcases the incredible accomplishments of these Nigerians who have engraved their names into the Guinness World Records.
Victor Osimhen Makes History at 2023 Ballon d’Or
Congratulations to Napoli striker Victor Osimhen who secured the 8th spot in the 2023 Men’s Ballon d’Or rankings. His outstanding performance during the 2022–2023 season, with 25 league goals leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years, earned him the Best Striker in Serie A award. He also played a crucial role in Napoli’s UEFA Champions League journey and helped the Super Eagles qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Osimhen’s 8th-place finish set a new record as the highest-ranked Nigerian and African player in the Ballon d’Or, surpassing Kanu Nwankwo’s 24-year-old nomination.
From School Father & Daughter to Forever Love! Watch Inedoye & Made Kuti Share their Beautiful Love Story | #NedoMade2023
Who doesn’t love a good love story? Made Kuti and his wife Inedoye Adanne Onyenso, who met in high school, shared their love story with us on their wedding day. Inedoye reminisced about their school days and how their connection grew from being school friends to Facebook buddies, leading to the real story beginning in 2018. Made reflected on the key moments in their relationship, leading to their marriage on the third anniversary of their relationship.
The African Beauty Queens to Watch Out for at Miss Universe 2023
We introduced you to beauty queens representing different African countries at the 72nd Miss Universe in El Salvador, including Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
Please, Give Funke Akindele Her Flowers
In this feature, Ahmad celebrated Nollywood filmmaker Funke Akindele for her ability to adapt to the ever-evolving industry while staying true to her unique artistic brilliance is a testament to her enduring relevance. He says, “16 years after Jenifa and many many many awards, Funke Akindele, a Nollywood hall-of-famer and legend already, is still showing us that age is just a number but class is permanent…. Please give her her deserved flowers. Ha, Aunty Funke, respect o.”
Josh2Funny Proved He’s Just Too Funny for a NO on “America’s Got Talent”
Josh2Funny appeared on the popular TV show “America’s Got Talent” to display his skills to a global audience. Despite undergoing three consecutive auditions in one day, Josh persisted and impressed the crowd with his rap performance, fake speed reading, and magic tricks. Although the judges may not have been entirely convinced, the audience was thoroughly entertained by his showmanship.
8 Mouthwatering Sauces to Pair With Rice, All Thanks to Kiki Foodies
Nigerians enjoy eating white rice and stew, but sometimes this meal can become monotonous. To add some excitement and variety to your meal, Kiki Foodies, a culinary content creator and food recipe expert, has shared eight delicious recipes in one of her vlogs that can be paired with white rice. These recipes are sure to make your meal more enjoyable.
It’s Official! ‘Gen Z Baddie’ Ilebaye is an SUV Owner & ₦120m Richer
In October, the ultimate winner of Big Brother Naija All Star, Ilebaye, was presented with her prize. In addition to the staggering 120 million Naira cash prize, Ilebaye also won a luxurious weekend escape for two, courtesy of Travel Beta, an Innoson car, a state-of-the-art Tecno phone, a suite of high-end Nexus appliances, and a year’s worth of goodies from Pepsi, Dano, Munch It, WAW, Hawaii Soap, Titus, Lush, and Sardine.
The Nigerian Artistes Nominated for the 2024 Grammys
Nigerian artists and Afrobeats continued their collaborative global ascent in the music industry with the recently released Grammy Awards nominations list. Burna Boy, Davido, Olamide, Asake, and Ayra Starr bagged nominations in different categories for the highly coveted award.
“I actually like intelligent women. She’s very different from the rest of the housemates” – Adekunle on His Attraction to Venita
Adekunle had a chat with Ebuka after the end of the BBNaija show about his plan going into the season, his ship with Venita, his fight with Pere, his low moments in the house, and more.
How Your Faves Showed Up in AsoEbi Glam for Tomike Adeoye’s #PartyWithOloriEbi
Nigerian media personality, actress, and digital content creator Tomike Adeoye hosted a spectacular Owambe-themed party titled ‘Party with Olori Ebi’ in November. The party boasted a noteworthy attendance of content creators, influencers, and fans, including prominent figures such as VeeKee James, Alex Unusual, Elozonam, Layi Wasabi, and Enioluwa Adeoluwa, among others. BellaNaija, gave you a glimpse of the event, highlighting the stunning AsoEbiBella.
Take A Closer Look At Toke Makinwa’s Glamourous Looks For Big Brother Naija All Stars Finale
Glamour Girl and Host extraordinaire — Toke Makinwa riled up a fashion storm with her glamorous style choices for the finale of Big Brother Naija. Styled by Jeremiah Ogbodo, famously known as Swanky Jerry, Toke donned two (2) embellished mermaid dresses from Kud Collections and one (1) from Xtra Brides Lagos, both proudly Nigerian brands. With hair sleeked back into a C-cut ponytail by rising hairstylist Hair by BUKKS and face well snatched by Tamars Beauty, Naija’s BabyGirl 4 life ATE!
ICYMI: Turquoise Looked Good On Tasha Cobbs Leonard At The GMA Dove Awards, Check It Out
Multi-award-winning Gospel Artist — Tasha Cobbs Leonard looked so elegant in her turquoise jersey dress from Hanifa at the 54th Annual Gospel Music Association of the United States (GMA) Dove Awards. An event that recognizes outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. Styled by J. Bolin, who was assisted by Tameka Smith, Tasha’s outfit was paired with a matching J.Bolin Face cap, sleek waist-length black hair, earth-toned makeup, rim earrings and a bold bracelet.
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We are grateful for your unwavering support and engagement throughout the year. Your enthusiasm for these stories fuels our passion to keep bringing you the best in entertainment, news, and inspiration.
Thank you for being a part of the BN family. Let’s raise a toast to another year filled with amazing stories in 2024!
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