Entertainment

Expose Of Nollywood Actress, Tonto Dike

Published

10 years ago

June 12, 2015

Charity Tonto Dike, an A-
list Nollywood diva was born on June 9th 1985 in Port Harcourt, the River State Capital. The Ikwerre-born beautiful actress has other nicknames: Pokolee and Tontolet. She lost her mother when she was just three years old and was brought up by her father, Mr. Sunny Dike, with love and affection as she lacked nothing in her tender age.
After her primary and secondary education, she proceeded to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RUST), Port Harcourt, where she graduated with a B.Sc in Petrochemical Engineering.
In 2005, she competed against other contestants on a reality TV show called, “The Next Movie Star,” where she was the first runner-up while Kingsley Ogboson won the first position. Her second movie appearance was in “Holy cross” which also featured Nollywood stars such as Nonso Diobi, Pete Edochie, Jim Iyke, Desmond Elliot, Nkiru Sylvanus and Larry Cold Weath, amongst others.
This movie propelled her to stardom as more movie producers and directors were willing to cast her. Charity (Tonto) Dike’s role in the movie, “Dirty Secrets,” generated controversy amongst Nigerians because the movie contains nude scenes. While some criticize her role as being untraditional and un-African, others say she is merely being professional.
In January 2011, Dike took part in a charity fashion show in Lagos with Banky W., Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, among others. Tonto was known as a controversial actress in Nollywood as well as a chain smoker and had started smoking since the age of 14, but she stopped smoking after prayers with Pastor T.B. Joshua via his Christian television station, Emmanuel TV.
Tonto Dike has featured in countless movies among which are: “Tea or coffee (2006) “Pound and Dollars” (2006), “Missing Rib” (2007), “Divine Grace” (2007), “Final Hour” (2007), “7 Graves” (2007), “Crisis” in Paradise” (2007), “Insecurity” (2007), “Away Match” (2007), “Games Fools Play” (2007), Plain Truth” (2008), “Love My Way (2008), “Before The Fall” (2008), “Total Love” (2008). “Strength to Strength (2008), “Missing Child” (2009), “Native Son” (2009), “Dangerous Beauty” (2009), “My Fantasy” (2010), and “Dirty Secret” (2010), “Black Berry Babes,” Criminal Widow” 1&2 etc.
Others are:- “Zara”,
“Last Mission”, “Rush Hour,” “Fatal Mistake”, “Family Disgrace,” Miss Maradona,” “Mortal Desire”, Terror Of A Widow 3&4 .
Apart from acting, Tonto is also into music as some of her colleagues in the make believe industry, such as Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Kate Henshaw, Chioma Chukwuka-Apkota, Patience Ozokwor (Mama Gee), John Okafor/(Mr Ibu), Nkem Owoh (Osuofia) amongs others. She had once featured in a music owned by Amaco Investments where she and Patience Ozokwor were called to mime the song.
Tonto made her debute in the music industry by releasing singles which include Hi and Ht over featuring Snypa, while many lauded her efforts, the songs were trailed by controversy as critics especially questioned her vocal ability. Doubts were raised on whether her decision to try her hands on music was for the best.
Nevertheless, the songs enjoyed steady air play and massive downloads. Tonto showed she was not a guitar with the release of new single ‘crazicaly’ featuring Terry G, who was also the producers, then Jeje and then some more. On 13th June 2014, hip hop star, D’banj unveiled Tonto Dike under the artistes with his record label, DB records-Lee family. Other singles include ‘Ekebe’ and “Sugar rush.”
Though presently single, recent reports say the actress- cum singer’s romance with businessman, Churchill Ola Kunle Oladunni (Mr.X) may finally lead to the alter she is said to be wearing a ring on her engagement ring finger and during a recent interview, the “Dirty Secrets” Star confirmed that she would be getting married soon. According to our source, she might be opting for a low key wedding to avoid drama.

Entertainment

Valentine’s Day: Streaming Of Heartbreak Songs Increased Massively-Spotify

Published

3 weeks ago

February 14, 2025

The Tide

Spotify yesterday revealed a significant surge in heartbreak song streams in Nigeria during the Valentine’s Day season, with a 626 percent increase between 2022 and 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos, Nigeria by Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu.
Okumu said, “Spotify data reveals a surprising trend, a massive surge in heartbreak song streams.
“Nigerians are turning to their playlists to express their emotions, with a staggering 626 per cent overall growth in heartbreak streams from 2022 to 2024.
“This Valentine, the sound of love is accompanied by the sound of heartbreak, and the data shows it’s louder than ever before.”
She said on Valentine’s Day, most surprisingly, male listeners streamed heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than female listeners, with a 362 per cent increase compared to 169 per cent among women.
“This could suggest that men resonate with the feeling of heartbreak more and turn to music as a private outlet for processing emotions.
“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear, when love is in the air, so is heartbreak and Nigerian men are pressing play on their pain more than expected.
“While Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with grand gestures, heartbreak is a common theme on Valentine’s Day -more than what’s publicly shown,” she said.
Nigerians will join their counterparts across the world to mark the 2025 Valentine’s today.

Entertainment

Tems Becomes Co-owner Of MLS Club

Published

3 weeks ago

February 14, 2025

The Tide

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has joined MLS side San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner.
SDFC announced today that Tems joined the ownership group through her company, The Leading Vibe.
In the process, Tems became the first African woman to be involved in MLS ownership.
“We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a club partner,” SDFC chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said in a statement.
“Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which, of course, has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organisation.”
Reacting to her addition as the latest partner in SDFC’s ownership group, the singer said: “I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community.

“Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”

Entertainment

Toyin Lawani Cries Out Over Side Effects Of Epidural

Published

3 weeks ago

February 14, 2025

The Tide

Fashion and beauty entrepreneur, Toyin Lawani, has claimed she is enduring back pain and that her spine is degenerating.
Lawani revealed this in a video posted on social media last Tuesday.
In the clip, she opened up about her experience with epidural anesthesia, an injection administered to pregnant women in the spine to reduce pain during childbirth.
The mother of three claimed that since receiving the injection, she has not felt like herself.
She accused doctors of not fully informing women about the long-term side effects of epidurals.
According to Lawani, she received the anesthetic injection during the birth of her last two children.
She said, “When you hear ‘epidural,’ run. Doctors tell you about the side effects but do not tell you about the long-term effects on your body. I have about three friends having the same issues that I am having.
“Like, I am just 42, how did I end up with spine issues? I have a degenerating spine. I have implants in my spine. I go paralyzed. I can’t stand for a long time. I can’t even breathe properly sometimes because it affected so many things in my body when I had the surgery.
“They will not tell you because you just want the pain to go away. I have had two epidurals. I had my first as natural birth. The last two were epidural. The last one I had epidural because I had to undergo a surgery and I had no choice.
“See, the pain does not stop. My back is killing me and my spine is degenerating.”