It’s the best kept showbiz secret of 2016.
Everyone suspected they were having an affair. Yet no one could say for a fact whether Funke Akindele, divorced actress of Jenifa fame, and Abdulrasheed Bello, popularly known as JJC and father of three kids, were dating.
Blogs and websites speculated, friends asked and asked, but everyone met one thing: a brick wall
There were of course incidents that appeared to let the cat out of the bag, but the loud silence from the pair and those close to them made everyone cautious.
Until last week when news emerged that her family members were divided over a pending wedding. Until last week when news emerged, from London, six hours from Lagos, that the couple exchanged vows, on August 23, in the presence of very few friends and family members.
Nigerian entertainers are averse to quiet celebrations. The likes of Banky W and D’Banj keep threatening to run away and do their thing, when they eventually decide to settle. And many believe they won’t have their way.
That’s because, from Tiwa Savage to Bez, Mercy Johnson and the Idibias; from Basketmouth to Ali Baba, and even Tee A, most, if not all of the weddings of the past two decades have been loud, for a purpose: to demonstrate the clout and goodwill of the couple, to fulfil life long dreams of a big day, to live up to expectations that come with the celeb class, or just to conform.
And that was exactly what Funke did with her first wedding to Kehinde Almoroof Oloyede. Despite the handwriting on the wall at the time, she went all out to have a wedding that was big by all definitions.
That marriage lasted about 400 days only. The centre soon gave up and things fell apart.
Those close to her say she was betrayed, misled and deeply hurt. Some said she may never find love again.
But the actress, who rose to national fame with the success of her movie Jenifa, does not give up easily. And having learnt from her first outing, insiders say she was bent on keeping the private parts of her new relationship as private as could be.
‘She really just wanted the media to focus on her work, and stay off her personal life’, an aide told us. ‘And she made sure she didn’t contribute to that media feast, that she didn’t supply the leads that led to gossip and scandals.’
Her new husband, a rapper, label executive and performing artiste has three kids from three women. He was the mentor and boss of Don Jazzy, D’Banj and many others, and known globally for the briefly successful Big Brovas.
JJC, sources say, has been there and done that. But he never imagined he’ll settle down permanently again.
‘They wanted the best time to make the move, and it is clear why they went over to London, away from everyone. Funke wasn’t about to be burnt a second time.’
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