Serena has talked about how surprised she was to find out that she’s pregnant, barely a week before the beginning of the Australian Open in January this year, in a telling interview with contributing editor Buzz Bissinger.
According to her, she relented and allowed her friend Jessica Steindorff, who suspected it was not merely her hormones acting up, buy her a pregnancy kit.
She said;
‘I’ll take it just because (a) to prove you wrong and (b) because it’s fun, whatever. It’s like a joke. Why not?’
After taking the test, she forgot about it, thinking it’s impossible that it could be positive. When she finally checked the results, she says she ‘did a double take and my heart dropped. Like literally it dropped.’
Her first thought:
‘Oh my God, this can’t be—I’ve got to play a tournament. How am I going to play the Australian Open? I had planned on winning Wimbledon (her third straight) this year.’
To further convince her of the reality, Jessica purchased five more test kits; all proved positive. After discovering she was pregnant, Serena called her boyfriend Ohanian and, without providing a reason, told him to fly to Melbourne earlier than previously planned.
DailyMail reports that Ohanian, thinking it was likely health-related, immediately got a flight out of San Francisco. When Serena saw him, she wordlessly handed him a paper bag containing the six positive pregnancy tests: Ohanian was as shocked as she had been.
Now, a little more than six months pregnant, she is facing the reality that she is indeed having a baby with her soon-to-be husband.
‘It just doesn’t seem real. I don’t know why. Am I having a baby?’ she says. Williams tells Bissinger that, as of May, she hadn’t made any preparations:
‘I don’t know what to do with a baby. ‘I have nothing … I’ve done absolutely nothing for the baby room.’
Meanwhile, Bissinger writes that Ohanian is ‘earnestly preparing and already has a tip jar he puts money into whenever he uses profanity so he won’t utter it around the baby.’
The couple first met at the Cavalieri Hotel in Rome in May 2015 where, after Ohanian sat at the table beside hers, Serena pretended to know about Reddit, and he withheld the fact that he had ‘never watched a tennis match on television or in real life’.He’s looking forward to the marriage; Williams, on the other hand, tells Bissinger (with tongue in cheek), ‘I’m trying to enjoy the little freedom I have left.’
Their first date saw the ultra-romantic pair roam the streets of Paris for six hours while Serena was in town for the French Open. Ohanian proposed to Serena in December 2016 at virtually the same spot where he had first met her.
On Ohanian’s proposal at the Cavalieri, for which he had asked her to fly to Italy under the guise of a spontaneous trip, Serena says,
‘I knew it was coming. I was like, “Serena, you’re 35, you’re ready. This is what you want.”‘
Ohanian says he knew he wanted to marry Serena because she was helping him become the best version of himself: ‘I felt like a door had been opened to a person who made me want to be my best self,’ he says. ‘I find myself just wanting to be better by simply being around her because of the standard she holds.’
Nollywood star Toyin Abraham took a stand against online bullying on May 14, 2024. The actress and producer specifically addressed her fans and followers on her Instagram story, urging them to stop bullying or hurling insults at others in her name.
Her message highlights a growing concern about celebrity fan culture and the potential for online harassment. Toyin Abraham likely wants her fans to express their support positively, and she emphasises that she doesn’t condone negativity directed at others.
She said,
“Please don’t use a fan page created in my name to bully or curse anyone let people bully curse and abuse me as long as they wish or want. The Lord is my strength and will always be my strength please.”
— TOYIN ABRAHAM AJEYEMI (@toyin_abraham1) May 14, 2024
Her decision to share the post resonated with her audience. Many of her followers and supporters expressed their approval in the comments section.
A fan commented,
“Omo, people Dey do a lot this days… I understand sometimes that we have to reply them or interact with them, because only gods knows what you did wrong that they always find fault in what you do. God be with you Mum Ire.”
“You expect Someone like me to folds hands…?? Be like you don forget where I de follow U from, you have forgotten days of humble beginning abi? Make person soil ur name, make I fold? TOYIN, AYA AJEYEMI bami soro na,” another fan said in her defense.
“We no go hear, any slander or insult to you or your personality will be met with equal and proportionate response,” said another defensive fan. “No matter how good you are to people, they will still get back at you with ill and defame words.”
However, not everyone agreed with her stance. A comment that caught many eyes read, ”
“When you fuvked up… Netizen will treat your fuvk up. That’s what it is, we don’t celebrate hypocrisy and the masses matter.”
Nigerian music star BNXN is putting a stop to online comparisons. Influencer-fueled debates about who the better singer is, BNXN or Ayra Starr, recently took social media by storm. But BNXN isn’t here for it. On May 13th, 2024, he took a stand on his social media platform, urging fans to ditch the comparisons and appreciate artists for their individual talents.
stop pitting me against my friends for entertainment.
BNXN is a force to be reckoned with in the Nigerian music industry.
He is renowned for his music, and he’s consistently impressed audiences since bursting onto the scene. This isn’t the first time BNXN has encountered online comparisons. He clearly remembers the public feud with fellow singer Ruger that erupted after similar comparisons on social media.
Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed, and BNXN and Ruger ended their disagreement. They even collaborated on a successful EP titled “RnB,” featuring hits like “Romeo Must Die” and “Ilashe.” This proved that collaboration can be much more fruitful than competition.
Meanwhile, Ayra Starr seems unfazed by the online noise.
She’s laser-focused on the upcoming release of her highly anticipated sophomore album, “The Year I Turned 21,” expected to drop this May.
The Grammy-nominated artist recently unveiled “No Bad Vibe,” featuring Seyi Vibez, as the album’s lead single. But that’s not all! The full project boasts an impressive lineup of guest appearances, including Asake, Giveon, Coco Jones, Anitta, and even her brother Milar. This star-studded collaboration hints at the diversity fans can expect from the album.
So, it’s clear that both BNXN and Ayra Starr are prioritising making music for their fans, not getting caught up in online comparisons. Their dedication to their craft is evident, and their talent deserves to be celebrated individually.
Let’s appreciate their unique styles and contributions to the Nigerian music scene, and keep an eye out for the release of Ayra Starr’s album; it’s bound to be a smash.
Big Brother Naija “Shine Ya Eye” winner Whitemoney, also known as Hazel Oyeze Onou, recently explained why he skipped the 10th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).
The AMVCA took place on Saturday, with celebrities rocking stunning outfits on the red carpet at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. Vee, for example, wowed in an all-pink lace gown with a flowing cape and matching gloves.
In a video on his Instagram page, Whitemoney revealed that the high cost of attending the AMVCA was a major factor in his absence. He explained that creating an AMVCA-worthy outfit can cost millions of Naira, not even including stylist fees! Feeling the pressure to look his best, and since he doesn’t identify as an actor, Whitemoney opted to skip the event altogether.
On a separate note, Whitemoney also urged his fellow celebrities to pay the designers behind their extravagant AMVCA looks to avoid any awkward situations.
He said,
“I’ve been getting calls about my absence from the AMVCA. How would I go, are you not seeing what these brothers are wearing? Take a look at Neo Akpofure’s dress. Elozonam was dripping in an all-white outfit, like an angel deported from heaven to go create his own heaven on earth. Saga was like all these pink Barbie gentlemen. His dress was awesome.”
“I can’t match their styles. To make an outfit befitting for the AMVCA, you would spend not less than one million naira, and you will still have to pay for a stylist. I’m not an actor, so I’m not even bothered.”
“AMVCA na pressure. Imagine paying over a million naira for a dress you would only wear once. The ladies were just killing it. Next year we move. I can’t relate. But please, make sure you pay your designers in full to avoid them calling you out on social media.”