Nollywood actor turned politician Desmond Elliot has finally addressed the spiralling accusations levelled against him, tagging him as gay.

Speaking with TVC, the former filmmaker explained his reasons for initially refusing to address the claims, stressing that he didn’t see the need to clarify anything.

Describing the accusation as baseless, he said, “Why would I respond to allegations made against me when it did not reduce or increase my life? Secondly, it is an opinion that is being conceived. And I don’t think it is necessary for me to come out and say it’s true or not true; as long as I’m affecting people positively, I’m good.”

Encouraging tolerance, Elliot stated that while everyone has the right to live as they see fit within legal boundaries, mutual respect should remain a priority.

He explained, “If you feel you identify as something as long as it’s within the law people don’t have to accept it, do you. So let me say right here, I’m straight… you can never have anyone straighter than me. If some people want to enjoy themselves through publicity, that’s left to them but I don’t care really. Do you and enjoy yourself but do it within the law and with respect to your neighbours.”

This comes after a blog published a scathing list of male Nigerian celebrities they alleged were gay. The list made its rounds on social media, sparking all sorts of reactions on social media as well as conversations. However, the majority of the men on the alleged list refused to speak on the list and the allegations.

Afrobeats hitmaker Rema and R&B star Tems have both secured nominations for Best Global Album for the 2025 Grammys after releasing successful albums.

Rema’s sophomore album ‘HEIS’ and Tems’ debut album ‘Born In The Wild’ are among the albums in contention to win the award.

Best Global Music Album Nominees:

• Alkebulan II – Matt B and Royal Philharmonic
• Orchestra Paisajes – Ciro Hurtado
• HEIS – Rema
• Historias De Un Flamenco – Antonio Rey
• Born In The Wild – Tems

The 2025 Grammy Awards season is officially underway with the highly anticipated nomination ceremony taking place today, Friday, 8 November 2024.

As the Recording Academy gears up for another year of celebrating musical excellence, this year marks a turning point with significant changes to the awards structure.

In an effort to “enhance the integrity and inclusivity” of the GRAMMYs, the Academy has redefined several award categories, aiming to better reflect the diverse and evolving landscape of the music industry.

These updates were outlined in a recent statement from the Academy, and are designed to celebrate a wider variety of musical genres and styles.

Notable changes include the introduction of the new Best Dance Pop Recording category, which replaces the previous Best Pop Dance Recording category, as well as a reshuffling of the Best Remixed Recording category, now positioned within the Pop & Dance/Electronic Field.

These adjustments are in line with the Academy’s broader commitment to evolving with the industry’s shifts, ensuring a more inclusive awards process.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. shared that the changes are part of a broader effort to “empower creators” and better support the industry’s evolution.

In a message to voting members, Mason emphasized the GRAMMY Awards’ legacy, noting that the prestigious event has been a staple of the music industry for 67 years and that “every vote can shape the future of music.”

The Grammy nominations are the result of months of voting and deliberation, starting with the entry period in July and the initial voting rounds in October.

The official announcement today sets the stage for the grand finale—the 67th GRAMMY Awards ceremony on Sunday, 2 February, 2025, to be broadcast live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

In addition to the category updates, the Academy has made revisions to eligibility and submission guidelines, particularly in the Songwriter of the Year category. This year, songwriters will qualify with fewer songs, broadening the pool and allowing more voices to be heard.