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Tag: YEMI SOLADE

  • Why I stopped going to church on Sundays — Yemi Solade

    Why I stopped going to church on Sundays — Yemi Solade

    Yemi Solade, the veteran Nollywood actor, has said that he stopped going to church after one of the pastors advised him to avoid work on Sundays.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the thespian made this known during a recent Interview on The Honest Bunch podcast, where he disclosed that his exit from religious gatherings came after he became uncomfortable with the way church activities were handled.

    He described how a church leader told him to stop accepting work on Sundays, which led him to insult the pastor.

    The 64-year-old argued  that it was unreasonable to ask him to skip work on a day when filmmakers often schedule shoots, adding that the demand that comes with church membership are quite numerous.

     Yemi said: “I’ve been told in the church that I should tell producers not to call me for work on Sundays. And I cursed those pastors.

    “It is from that thing that you said I shouldn’t do on Sunday that I put my hand in my pocket and I dropped here,” he added.

    The Voiceless Scream actor also dismissed the notion that one life fares well when they attended church

    “The notion that if you don’t attend church once life must die, probably I’ve not seen anything change. Rather, I have peace, I do well,” he said.

    “Because every day of my life, when I was going to church, I got messages or sort of disturbances. If you are not invited to one committee, then when will I have time to work?”

    On why he prioritises work over Sunday service, the veteran actor stated: “There’s no way in the Bible that Sunday in the Greco-Roman calendar… you’re telling me not to leave my house and go to where my chop is. You are here to chop on Sunday. Who are you telling me that I should tell? You want to ruin my career?”

  • Heavy knocks as Yemi Solade claims seniority over Pete Edochie in Nollywood

    Heavy knocks as Yemi Solade claims seniority over Pete Edochie in Nollywood

    Nollywood actor, Yemi Solade has come under heavy criticism after opining that he began his acting career before Nollywood icon Pete Edochie.

    TheNewsGuru reports that thespian made the remarks behind the scenes of The Father’s Path with Temitope podcast, where he addressed what he described as misinformation about the origins of Nigeria’s booming film industry.

    “The first man that shot home video in this country, his name is Ade Ajiboye (Big Abass); he’s alive,” the actor said.

    The actor further explained that the concept of recording performances for home viewing began as an experiment in the Yoruba theatre scene. “We have been doing it… there was celluloid, we did that,” he said.

    Solade went on to list the names of early pioneers of Yoruba cinema including Hubert Ogunde, Baba Sala, Ade Love and Ola Balogun.

    “Some of them have gone,” he added.

    He stressed that due to proper documentation, many Yoruba filmmakers don’t often get the credit they deserve. “It all started like that… my people in the Yoruba setting didn’t document anything,” he said.

    “That’s why some people in the film industry will come out to boast saying they started.”

    “They didn’t start anything. Living in Bondage was not the first movie. But because they romanced the media while my people were doing the act. Agreed, most of them weren’t schooled and they didn’t have access to media,” he added.

    Speaking about his own career, the actor said, “I started acting before Pete Edochie, but he’s older than me. I was 17 in 1977 when I represented Nigeria at Festac 77 as the youngest actor. I’ve done 48 years and I’m still standing.”

    Yemi Solade’s remark have attracted alot of backlash as many accused him of being disrespectful to Pete Edochie.

    Reacting one user wrote, “Pete Edochie was already a superstar when many of us were kids. Whether it was radio, stage or TV, he made an impact. This statement by Yemi Solade is unnecessary.”

    Another user added, “This is not how you compare legacies. Even if you came before him, the impact is what matters. Pete Edochie is a legend.”

    Another user on X commented: “Things Fall Apart was in 1971, how did he start acting before Pete Edochie tho.”

    Another offered a more balanced view: “Everybody grace different. You can carry yourself up without talking someone down… Most important thing is both men… are recognised in the industry.”

  • I was harassed – Actor, Yemi Solade calls out event organizers for holding back award plaque

    I was harassed – Actor, Yemi Solade calls out event organizers for holding back award plaque

    Nollywood actor Yemi Solade has publicly called out an event organiser who held back his award plaque over his failure to pay for it.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the veteran actor, via his Instagram page on Wednesday, December 4th, shared a message the organisers sent after he told them that he does not belong to the class of award plaque buyers.

    In the message shared, the organisers made known their intentions to withdraw the award plaque due to his inability to pay for it.

    The actor expressed disappointment over how the organisers consistently harassed him to support the event and when he told them he had no money to give them, they withdrew the award.

    He wrote, “I Refused To Pay For The AWARD PLAQUE…This Is The Outcome. @nigerianewsdirect….I don’t belong to the class of AWARD PLAQUES buyers. I asked NIGERIA NEWS DIRECT if the organisation really meant to SELL an award to me because of the consistent tenacity at which I was harassed to support the event. I was compelled to post the final outcome of many days of HIDE and SEEK over the attempt by the lady who had pressed to siphon cash from me.”

  • Reactions as popular actor, Yemi Solade is ‘caught’ in an intimate act with a man

    Reactions as popular actor, Yemi Solade is ‘caught’ in an intimate act with a man

    A scene of Popular Nollywood actor, Yemi Solade in a intimate act with co-star Sanusi Izihaq popularly known as Apa has sparked  strong reactions amongst fans on social media. 

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the veteran actor in a bid to promote a new movie titled 5Alive, became the center of controversy after an intimate scene that portrayed the veteran and his co-star, Apa as lovers surfaced online.

    In the video that was shared, Yemi could be seen displaying affection—pecking Apa on the cheek and holding him in a tight embrace.

    Many of the actor’s fans in reaction to the video, accused the actors of attempting to normalize homosexuality as the movie isn’t like what conservative Nollywood industry protrays.

    One particular critic, known simply as Dunni launched a personal attack on Yemi, writing in Yoruba, “Mo sorry but ara yin o ya,” which translates to, “I’m sorry, but you are not okay.”

    Another critic, murphywonder wrote: ”Imagine DENZEL Washington playing a Gay scene 😂 protect ur legacy. Am sure Taiwo ogogo would not take this ROLE SMH.”

    mrs.morixn wrote: ”Nooooooooo! 😭😭😭 so this old man go deny say ein no be gay after this movie? Haha 🤣(sorry for the laugh).”

    Yemi wrote: ”I swear the movie Na Nonsense. I no fit even finish am @apankufor1 why you take that roll @salamirotimi you self fall my hand I no fit watch that movie as I like Una to reach .The last time a fellow guy tried giving me a peck…. mo da igbaju bo weere.”

    A fan of the actor, kelvin_edum, unlike the others said, ”I said it. A day will come when Nigerians will finally accept people for who and what they stand for.”

    Reacting to the criticisms, the veteran responded saying, Yoruba, “Orí bàbá ẹ to wà ní ọgbà wèrè lo ń bá wí,” meaning, “It’s your father’s head in the asylum you are talking to.”

    5Alive was released on YouTube on November 14, 2024.

    The film features a diverse cast, including Allwell Adaramola, Rotimi Salami, Yetunde Odunsi, Jumoke Salam and Victoria Adeboye.

  • I have done 46 years in acting but still struggling – Yemi Solade

    I have done 46 years in acting but still struggling – Yemi Solade

    Nollywood actor, Yemi Solade has disclosed that he is still struggling despite acting for 46 years.

    The actor revealed this at the premeire on Thursday, where he encouraged young people who are interested in acting to build their skills.

    According to him him, most young people want to act for the glamour and the gains, and not ready to put in the work.

    Speaking at the event, he said, “When young people walk up to me and say things like, daddy make me a star, i say if i have done 46 years and still struggling, then who are you.

    “They should be ready to pay dues, do the art right, so that the art can do them right.”

     

  • To survive in Nigeria, one must belong to cult – Yemi Solade

    To survive in Nigeria, one must belong to cult – Yemi Solade

    Veteran Nollywood actor, Yemi Solade has said that to live and survive in Nigeria, one must belong to “the cult”.

    The filmmaker recently stated this via his verified Instagram page.

    He shared a poster that reads, “Nigeria. To live and survive in it, one must belong to the cult. – YemiSolade.”

    He captioned it, “It is real”, using the hashtags “cult”, “cultism”, “cultic”, “survival”, and “depressed”.

    His post stired reactions with some fans expressing worries he may be depressed.

  • Twitter insulted Buhari, humiliated Nigerians -Yemi Solade

    Twitter insulted Buhari, humiliated Nigerians -Yemi Solade

    Veteran actor, Yemi Solade has said Twitter went too far insulting President Muhammadu Buhari by deleting his tweet.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Twitter had earlier deleted Buhari’s tweet wherein he spoke about the civil war experience and threatened to deal with those “bent on destroying” Nigeria through “insurrection.”

    The occurrence led to the eventual suspension of the microblogging site by the federal government for “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.”

    But in a trending video, Solade said the president’s tweet was merely an expression of his thought, adding that Twitter was wrong to have deleted it.

    “It (Buhari’s deleted tweet) is just an expression for all I care. It’s something that is coming from everyone’s fundamental human right to express. Even at that, I will not subscribe to malicious posts and hate speech. Nobody thought Twitter was going to be banned. Everybody thought it was a huge joke,” he said during an interview with GoldMyneTV.

    “I think Twitter went too far insulting the president of Nigeria and, by extension, all of us — some 200 million people of Nigeria. I think about 45 percent of the subscribers more or less, Nigerians, make Twitter very thick.

    “This is not the first time Twitter will attempt to humiliate Nigerians. It happened to Pastor Chris Oyakilome. I think the white supremacist and imperialist tendencies should be curbed sometimes.

    “As much as I am of the opinion that everybody has right to expression and thought but then when a platform is used to foment trouble or want to project anarchy there should be rules regulating such practices.”

    The role interpreter also accused the platform of encouraging hate, noting that most of the remarks on the platform are usually negative.

    “But in this case, one come across some volatile moment on Twitter. I would want to align with the school of thought that Twitter wasn’t really helping. Nigeria has so many problems to contend with and Twitter wasn’t really helping the country,” he added.

    “Most of the posts were far too negative, especially hitting the government of Nigeria. And I know individuals doing business on Twitter will miss it.

    “I want to think in a larger space that it really trampled on the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.”

     

  • Nollywood filled with prostitutes, Yahoo boys- Yemi Solade

    Nollywood filled with prostitutes, Yahoo boys- Yemi Solade

    Veteran actor, Yemi Solade has averred that Nollywood is filled with prostitutes and Yahoo boys.

    The revered film star made this known during a chat with Tribune.

    In his words: “Nollywood is not there right now. The Nollywood you see is all-encompassing. It’s an uncompleted building that is not guarded and what you meet there would amaze you,” the 60-year-old said.

     

    “It has become an all-comers affair, anybody can stroll in and act. All the Yahoo boy are now there, all the prostitutes that you can imagine are there.

     

    “People can’t even discern between the core professionals and these class of clowns who have infiltrated the association. But they didn’t just fly in, people you call professionals brought them in.

     

    “It’s just so porous that anybody can become an actor, the entry point is so porous and annoying. It’s a profession and it must be handled and treated as one.

     

    “I am not really pleased with the state of the industry. It’s a professional body and we must portray ourselves as one that has mastered the art and craft of the profession.”

     

    TheNewsGuru recalls that the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) had earlier signed an MOU to end the practice of soliciting funds for medical emergencies among its members and independent actors in the film industry.

     

    Sharing his view on the development, Solade said: “I’m not in any professional body to know what they’re planning. But I’ll tell you, in any professional body, they should, as a matter of fact, have plans for their aged members.

     

    “Little wonder we have some social media influencers raising donations for some actors on social media platforms, for people to help raise funds for them.

     

    “If there were insurance schemes, and plans in place for the aged, or members of the industry, they won’t run to the social media to raise alms for their failing health conditions.

     

    “So I don’t think there is anything like that. There is too much show, and we don’t need that, we send wrong signals to the world, we are giving the world a different impression about us.”

  • Bad press is the price celebrities pay for fame- Yemi Solade

    Bad press is the price celebrities pay for fame- Yemi Solade

    For over four decades, popular actor Yemi Solade has wormed his way into the hearts of Nigerians with his acting prowess. However, the veteran actor isn’t pleased with the bad press celebrities get.

    Solade in his recent comment on a post made by Iyabo Ojo debunking that she was never married to her ex-husband,revealed that bad press is the price celebrities pay for fame.

     

    In his words:”Our dearest ALICE IN WONDERLAND…… All the BAD PRESS about you can only make a STRONGER PERSON out of you. It’s the price you (MOST OF US) pay for EXCELLING, ACCOMPLISHING, SUCCEEDING where HATERS fail. I pray MORE ororo in your jar. I have always iterated that IDLE & JOBLESS elements make GREAT ACHIEVERS their agenda. May THEY never rest…..just like “EWE OJU OMI TI KO KII NI ISINMI”…..GOD GAT YOUR BACK My Daughter”.

     

    Months back, the outspoken actor had said he might consider relocating to another country.

    “For the first time in a long while, I gave up on Nigeria. I might decide to relocate to another country and this is what I always criticise my colleagues for. Nigeria is killing me. I have been so patriotic, but I think I have to face the reality now. I have a job that is not putting meals on my table the way it should and I don’t want my children to suffer. It is terrible if we continue to lose our best minds to other countries. I don’t want to have money like Femi Otedola; I don’t pray for it and I don’t need it at my age. All I need are the basic things in life, which I can use to take care of myself, my wife and my children”.

  • I rate myself higher than Femi Adebayo-Yemi Solade

    I rate myself higher than Femi Adebayo-Yemi Solade

    Many were stunned when at this year’s edition of the Best of Nollywood Awards ceremony Yemi Solade and Femi Adebayo were both announced as the winner of the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Yoruba).

    However when it was time to take the award home, people questioned who would make the sacrifice and leave it for the other. Yemi Solade who is the older, decided to let go of the plaque.

    In a chat with Punch, Solade noted that he gave the plaque to Adebayo because he (Adebayo) lived in Ibadan, the host state for this year’s BON.

    He said, “I wasn’t surprised that the movie, Irolabi, did well. When I saw it, I thought I did a lot of work. When they announced two persons as the winners of that category, it was like a comedy but I guess they have their reasons. I gave the plaque to Adebayo since he stays in Ibadan. If they make another award, I will collect it. But I enjoyed the fact that I won the best actor and it is now part of my CV.”

    “It was a competitive one but I think I deserved it and I needed the award as a reward for my effort this year. Some people felt I was old but it was about the role, not the age. I was given a role by a producer, Lekan Quadri, who I didn’t know before. Though we shared the award, I still rate myself higher than Adebayo because he played the lead role in his movie, Etiko Onigedu”.