Reality TV star and former Big Brother Naija winner Mercy Eke has dismissed long-standing rumours that her luxurious lifestyle is being financed by a wealthy benefactor, insisting that the claims are false.

Speaking during an appearance on the Toke Moments podcast, Mercy said one of the biggest misconceptions about her is the belief that she is dating a married man who bankrolls her lifestyle. She stressed that the narrative has followed her for years despite having no basis in reality.

The reality star also laughed off recurring rumours about her personal life, including frequent speculation that she is pregnant, saying such claims have become a regular occurrence.

Addressing her relationship status, Mercy disclosed that she has been in a committed relationship for the past four years. She revealed that discussions about marriage have taken place, although her partner believes she is not yet ready to take that step.

She added that starting a family has become a priority for her, noting that she hopes to become a mother in the near future.

Mercy maintained that while public perception often paints an inaccurate picture of her life, she remains focused on her personal growth and career despite the persistent rumours.

She came, she competed, and she conquered. South African superstar Tyla has delivered one of the most electric moments of the 2026 American Music Awards, claiming victory in a category that put her head-to-head with some of the most dominant names in contemporary African music — Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Rema. The result sent shockwaves through the internet almost instantly, with fans of all four artists flooding social media to process an outcome that, depending on who you ask, was either a long-overdue recognition of Tyla’s extraordinary global ascent or the most controversial upset in recent AMA history. Either way, nobody was indifferent.

Tyla’s win is not without context. The young Johannesburg-born artist has been on one of the most remarkable runs in global pop over the past two years, riding the stratospheric success of her breakout single Water into a full-blown international career that has seen her grace major stages, earn Grammy recognition, and build a fan base that stretches from South Africa to South Korea. Her sound — a seductive fusion of Amapiano, R&B, and pop that she has described as Afro-pop — sits comfortably at the intersection of African authenticity and global accessibility, and it has resonated with audiences who may have previously had limited exposure to the depth and diversity of the continent’s music output. The AMA voters, it seems, have been listening.

But the weight of who she beat cannot be understated. Burna Boy is a Grammy-winning giant whose influence on the globalisation of Afrobeats has been immeasurable, a man who has sold out arenas on multiple continents and whose catalogue reads like a document of contemporary African excellence. Wizkid is perhaps the single most important architect of Afrobeats’ mainstream Western crossover, the man whose collaboration on Essence introduced the sound to rooms it had never entered before. And Rema, the youngest of the trio, has already demonstrated a ceiling that appears to have no ceiling — Calm Down became one of the longest-charting African songs in Billboard history and turned a kid from Benin City into a genuine global phenomenon. To beat all three in a single category is not a small thing. It is a statement.

The full list of 2026 AMA winners reflects a ceremony that leaned into diversity, rewarded longevity in some categories and breakout momentum in others, and once again demonstrated that the boundaries between regional and global music have effectively ceased to exist. African artists across multiple categories proved that the continent’s dominance in the conversation around popular music is not a trend with an expiration date — it is a permanent shift in the cultural order. Tyla’s victory sits at the peak of that shift tonight, a South African woman holding an American Music Award in a room full of the world’s biggest stars.

For Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Rema, the loss stings in the way that losses only sting for those who compete at the absolute highest level — which is to say, it stings precisely because they belong there. Their nominations alone confirm what their catalogues have long established. But tonight belonged to Tyla, and the internet will be talking about it for a very long time.

Veteran Nollywood actress, Peju Ogunmola, has celebrated her 60th birthday in grand style, receiving a heartfelt surprise from her colleagues in the movie industry.

The beloved actress was visibly emotional as friends and fellow actors came together to honour her with a special celebration, appreciating her years of contribution to Nollywood.

The surprise event, which was attended by several industry figures, featured moments of laughter, tributes, and heartfelt messages celebrating Ogunmola’s impact both on and off the screen.

Colleagues praised her for her dedication, professionalism, and role in shaping the Nigerian film industry, describing her as an inspiration to both older and younger generations of actors.

Fans also took to social media to celebrate the actress, flooding timelines with birthday wishes, throwback clips, and messages of admiration.

Peju Ogunmola, known for her strong presence in Yoruba cinema, has remained a respected figure in Nollywood, with a career spanning decades.

As she marks this milestone age, the celebration not only highlights her personal journey but also her lasting legacy in the entertainment industry.