celebrities
The ‘adorable Irishness’ of The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri
Emmy-winning actor Ayo Edebiri has been claimed as “Ireland’s own”, after thanking the Emerald Isle in acceptance speeches as she swept up a host of top prizes.
While there have been a “disproportionate number of celebrities hailing from the proud nation of Ireland vying for awards this year” – including Cillian Murphy, Barry Keoghan, Paul Mescal, Andrew Scott and Sharon Horgan – “none of them are quite as Irish” as Edebiri, said the AV Club.
Edebiri “isn’t actually Irish”, said the news site. “But if you’ve been following her whirlwind red-carpet tour at all over the past few weeks, you’d be forgiven for being a little confused”.
The background
Best known for her role as beleaguered sous-chef Sydney in hit show “The Bear”, Edebiri was actually born in the US city of Boston, which, incidentally, is “one of the epicentres of Irish-American life”, said the BBC.
But her tongue-in-cheek connection to Ireland began with a red-carpet joke during last year’s award season, when British-Irish director Martin McDonagh’s film “The Banshees of Inisherin” was hitting the headlines.
During a red-carpet interview, Edebiri pretended that she had played Jenny the Donkey – a doomed pet owned by the film’s protagonist – and described her “method” for getting into character as the unfortunate animal.
“I lived in Ireland for about four months – and I got really in character. I was on all fours for four months and it was really painful, but beautiful as well,” she quipped.
The “throwaway” comment quickly “took on a life of its own”, as Irish social media users “flocked to claim Edebiri” and to “speculate that she may have as yet undiscovered Irish heritage”.
The actor has been equally happy to run with the joke, frequently referencing Ireland as her “home nation” in interviews since.
And it’s not the first time that Edebiri has made a joke of this kind. She had “large swathes of the world” believing she was the showrunner behind FX’s “Kominsky Method”, simply because she thought it “seemed like a funny idea”, said Mashable.
“I just thought what an incredible world that would be if a young Black woman in her mid-20s created this show where Michael Douglas and Allan Arkin are acting,” she told “The Late Show”. “Have I watched a single episode? No. But I already get the gist, you know what I mean?”
The latest
Picking up a Critics Choice Award for best actress in a comedy series at the weekend, Edebiri thanked the nation of Ireland in her acceptance speech.
“To everybody in Boston, Barbados, Nigeria – Ireland, in many ways – thank you so much, I love you,” she said.
And as she walked the red carpet at this year’s Emmy Awards – later going on to win best supporting actress in a comedy series – she hailed some of her favourite Irish cities.
“Shout-out to my people – shout-out to Derry, shout-out to Cork, shout-out to Killarney, shout-out to Dublin,” she told an interviewer.
The reaction
“Ayo Edebiri, we’re proud to call you Irish,” said Donald Clarke in The Irish Times.
He explained that, as a nation, Ireland has always been “remarkably happy to clutch those born overseas – when willing – to the national bosom”. Despite all the “griping” about English people taking up Irish passports, “for the most part we smile when people like John le Carré or Bill Nighy grandmother their way towards the fast-moving queue at immigration”.
It seems that a “remarkable number of people wish to be of this nation”, and it seems “reasonable to play along when we can”. After all, “it’s quite a compliment”, continued Clarke. And in any case, “the adorable Irishness of Ayo Edebiri really is a tonic for the bitter months”.
Nigerian singer May D shares his experience as a house husband in Sweden and the reason behind his divorce during the COVID-19 lockdown
Nigerian singer Akinmayokun Awodumila, better known as May D, has opened up about his secret marriage to a Swedish woman and the eventual divorce that followed.
Also read: Madrina criticises music industry practices, shares 2018 show incident
The ‘Soundtrack’ crooner shared the details during an episode of The Honest Bunch podcast, revealing a surprising chapter of his life abroad.
May D disclosed that after relocating to Sweden, he became a “house husband,” staying at home to take care of their child while his wife worked.
Despite not holding a traditional job, he earned more from his music shows than his wife did in her working career.
“I went to Sweden for a show but decided to settle down there since my girlfriend was Swedish. I was a house husband. What do you want me to do? I should go and work?” he explained.
“My wife was working but when I go for a show, I make five times what she earns in a month. I was a house husband but I was comfortable. I had my baby, my wife can’t be the one taking care of the baby and working at the same time.”
However, the marriage came to an end during the COVID-19 lockdown. May D explained that he was stuck in Nigeria at the time, which led to his wife filing for divorce.
“We got divorced during COVID-19 because I got stuck in Nigeria. That was how she divorced me. You know they think different from us,” he said.
May D’s candid revelation sheds light on the challenges faced in international relationships, particularly during the pandemic, and provides a glimpse into his life as both a father and a musician.
Controversial singer Speed Darlington has been granted bail by an Abuja court after police arraigned him following public pressure
Controversial Nigerian singer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has been granted bail by an Abuja court after the Nigeria Police Force arraigned him following public and legal pressure.
Speed Darlington’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, announced the development on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“Police finally arraigns Speed Darlington in court. Bail application moved and granted. We are trying to perfect same.”
Although details of the bail remain undisclosed, this marks a significant turn in the singer’s legal saga. The case arose after Okoye’s arrest and detention, reportedly linked to his allegations against Grammy Award-winning singer Burna Boy and Sean Combs (P. Diddy).
Okoye had earlier petitioned Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Dasuki Galadanchi of the Force Intelligence Bureau in Abuja, challenging his continued detention.
In the petition, he urged compliance with a December 23, 2024, court order issued by Justice M.S. Liman. The order directed the police to either arraign him within 48 hours or release him unconditionally.
The police ultimately complied by arraigning him, leading to the bail ruling. Legal experts see this as a pivotal case underscoring the importance of upholding judicial orders and ensuring accountability in law enforcement practices.
The case has drawn public attention, highlighting the ongoing dialogue about individual rights and the rule of law in Nigeria. Further updates on the details of Speed Darlington’s bail are awaited as his legal team works to finalise the process.
Seun Kuti clarifies that his stance against European colonialism focuses on systems of oppression, not the people, advocating for global fairness
Popular Nigerian musician Seun Kuti has reiterated his opposition to European colonialism and imperialism, clarifying that his stance is not directed at European people but at systems of oppression.
Also read: Seun Oloketuyi Joins Kaduna international film festival advisory board
Known for his outspoken views on corruption and injustice, the artist used his Instagram platform to address misconceptions about his position.
Seun Kuti stated:
“I’m against European colonisation and imperialism, but that does not mean that I’m against European people. Many Europeans have been our allies in the fight against greed and unfair systems, to make the world a fairer place for everyone.”
The musician stressed the importance of unity in combating systemic injustices, pointing out that many Europeans have supported efforts to build a just and equitable world.
He emphasised that opposing colonisation does not equate to hatred for individuals, highlighting the collective fight against greed and exploitation.
Seun Kuti’s comments reflect his enduring advocacy for justice and fairness, encouraging global solidarity to challenge oppressive structures while promoting mutual understanding across cultures.
His message resonates with his long-standing commitment to addressing social and political issues through both activism and music.
May D opens up about secret marriage, divorce
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde denies leaving LA due to wildfires
Speed Darlington granted bail in Abuja court
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