ENTERTAINMENT

This Is Why John Boyega is Stepping Down As Ambassador For Jo Malone

Published

4 years ago

September 16, 2020

FAB.NG

John Boyega has decided to call it quits as the global ambassador for the British cologne company Jo Malone after they replaced him for a campaign in China but still used his concepts.

According to the actor, he came up with the concept for his commercial for Jo Malone, which he also directed. The brand reshot the commercial with Chinese actor Liu Haoran without getting his consent.

The original ad ‘London Gent’ released in 2019, showed John on the streets of his home district of Peckham in London, hanging out and dancing with real-life friends and spending time with his family. In one scene, he rides a horse in a local park while others ride bikes alongside.

The reshoot sees Haoran also hanging out with friends and also atop a horse in a park while others cycle by. This time the ad doesn’t include a single Black person.

Last year, John explained why he used the campaign to highlight his background in an interview with Women’s Wear Daily. He said:

“There’s a mixture of things you see me do in the film, you see me in a professional environment on a film set, then with family and it’s about breaking free of the concept of ‘going back or returning to your roots’ but more about the roots existing with this new side of my life,” he said. “It’s not a chapter that stops.”

This is what John had to say on Twitter:

I have decided to step down as Jo Malone‘s global ambassador. When I joined the brand as their first male global ambassador last year, I created the short film we used to launch the campaign. It won the Fragrance Foundation Virtual awards 2020 for Best Media Campaign.

Their decision to replace my campaign in China by using my concepts and substituting a local brand ambassador for me, without either my consent or prior notice, was wrong. The film celebrated my personal story– showcasing my hometown, including my friends and featuring my family.

While many brands understandably use a variety of global and local ambassadors, dismissively trading out one’s culture this way is not something I can condone. It’s back to back but I assure you this will be dealt with swiftly. I don’t have time for nonsense. We press on and strong. Stay blessed people.

Their decision to replace my campaign in China by using my concepts and substituting a local brand ambassador for me, without either my consent or prior notice, was wrong. The film celebrated my personal story– showcasing my hometown, including my friends and featuring my family.

It’s back to back but I assure you this will be dealt with swiftly. I don’t have time for nonsense. We press on and strong. Stay blessed people ❤️

Jo Malone London also released a statement to apologize for what happened.

“We deeply apologize for what, on our end, was a mistake in the local execution of the John Boyega campaign,” a rep for the brand told The Hollywood Reporter. “John is a tremendous artist with great personal vision and direction. The concept for the film was based on John’s personal experiences and should not have been replicated.”

John Boyega is an incredible talent, artist and person and we were proud to have him as part of our Jo Malone London family. We respect John’s decision and we wish him all the best.

“While we immediately took action and removed the local version of the campaign, we recognize that this was painful and that offence was caused,” they continued. “We respect John and support our partners and fans globally. We are taking this misstep very seriously and we are working together as a brand to do better moving forward.”

You can watch the original ad and recent ad in the video below:

Related Topics:Jo Malone John Boyega John Boyega is Stepping Down As Ambassador For Jo Malone

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ENTERTAINMENT

Wizkid Teases Potential Lagos Concert Following Groundbreaking Album Release

Published

2 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Reporter

Wizkid teases Lagos concert with new social media post | fab.ng

Grammy-nominated artist Wizkid has sparked widespread excitement among Nigerian fans by hinting at a potential December concert in Lagos.

On November 26, 2024, the superstar posted an Instagram image captioned “Lagos December.” This immediately generated speculation about a live performance.

The concert anticipation follows the release of Wizkid’s sixth studio album and eighth project, “Morayo.“ This has already achieved significant commercial success.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BIG WIZ🦅 (@wizkidayo)

The album remarkably set a new record on Spotify. It secured the largest opening day streams for a Nigerian artist. Also, it demonstrates the musician’s continued global appeal.

“Morayo” features a diverse collaborative lineup, including 16 tracks with guest appearances from prominent artists.

The album showcases Wizkid’s international reach by featuring Afrobeats hitmaker Asake, French artists Tiakola and Anais Cardot, and American musicians Jasmine Sullivan and Brent Faiyaz.

Should the concert materialise, it would mark the first performance Wizkid holds in Lagos since his 2022 Flytime Fest headline appearance.

Fans are particularly intrigued by the potential concert, given Wizkid’s previous statement suggesting his 2022 performance might be the last ticketed show for his Lagos audience.

Industry observers and music enthusiasts are closely monitoring the potential tour plans. The “Morayo” album’s release suggests Wizkid is preparing for a comprehensive tour.

Furthermore, Lagos potentially serves as the inaugural destination for the live concert Wizkid holds for his latest musical work.

The strategic timing of the album release and the cryptic social media post has effectively generated significant anticipation among fans and media outlets.

Wizkid continues to demonstrate his ability to create musical and promotional momentum. He maintains his status as a leading figure in the global music landscape.

Meanwhile, official confirmation remains pending; the “Lagos December” post has successfully generated substantial speculation and excitement.

This could be about a potential homecoming concert that could be a landmark event for Nigerian music fans.

Check out more updates here.

ENTERTAINMENT

Phyna Bounced From Lagos Restaurant Over Indecent Dressing

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2024

Reporter

Phyna Bounced From Restaurant Over Indecent Dressing | fab.ng

A Lagos restaurant named Cali refused to let the 27-year-old reality TV star Phyna enter because of her outfit. Phyna shared this experience on her X social media page (previously known as Twitter).

She posted a short video showing what she had worn to the restaurant. She then joked about the incident with her fans and followers on social media.

In her words,

“So I went to have dinner at one CALI RESTAURANT Abi what they call the place😂😂😂 omo they said I’m dressed indecently and I can’t enter o. WTF!!!!!”

So I went to have dinner at one CALI RESTAURANT Abi what they call the place😂😂😂 omo they said I’m dressed indecently and I can’t enter o
WTF!!!!! pic.twitter.com/L2UZp4vjp0

— UNUSUALPHYNA🎙(phynix🔥) (@unusualphyna) November 24, 2024

In the clip, Phyna wore a revealing black jumpsuit paired with a bold burgundy afro wig. Her outfit quickly sparked debate among her followers.

Some users criticised her choice of attire, arguing that it was inappropriate for the restaurant’s standards. Others defended the establishment’s decision, stating that enforcing dress codes is their right.

“If you wear a hookers uniform, be prepared to be treated like one,” wrote a user.

“The owner has every right to set rules for their business premises,” said another.

“So another hotel the other day that brought something for the lady to cover her self….Great one…If all these restaurants will start doing this, it will definitely be a big step to correcting this error in the society,” someone else wrote.

The post generated mixed reactions, highlighting contrasting views on personal style and public expectations. The incident fuelled a broader conversation about dress norms and the balance between individual expression and venue policies.

Recall that Phyna dropped her surname and publicly disowned her family on her X page recently. She said that she was tossed around relatives’ homes as a child, adding that she should’ve suspected foul play all along.

Check out more updates here.

ENTERTAINMENT

Falz Speaks About His Worst Date Experience

Published

5 days ago

November 22, 2024

Reporter

Falz Speaks About His Worst Date Experience | fab.ng

Nigerian rapper Falz recently shared a humorous yet awkward story from one of his early dating experiences. During an interview on the Cocktails and Takeaways podcast with British media personality Madame Joyce, Falz recounted a surprising request from his date.

She asked him to order takeout for her family members back home. He explained the situation with his signature humour, highlighting how unexpected and awkward the moment was.

He explained,

“I haven’t had too many date experiences but the worst probably was this girl asking to buy stuff for her family at home, so I wasn’t sure how to feel. This was in Nigeria and I didn’t know whether to feel bad or not. She wanted me to buy takeaway for them, like to buy for each person… So different portions for the members of the family, takeaway for them. I didn’t even know whether to feel bad, because it was like, I came here on a date with you, not the whole family.”

Falz acknowledged that the request felt unusual but considered the possibility that her family genuinely needed the food. “I then sat and thought, What if they’re hungry? We were at a proper restaurant.”

“I feel like there are things that, when it comes to dates, there are things that the person would say directly or indirectly that would make you know whether you want to continue talking to them or not,” he added.

The rapper dismissed the idea that men immediately know if a woman is marriage material on the first date. He elaborated, suggesting that relationships often require time and experience to fully understand a partner’s potential.

He said, “To this day, there is nobody I can say that this is someone I want to marry. I haven’t gotten to that stage yet so I think it’d take a while.”

Check out more updates here.