There was a time when childhood was filled with innocence, creativity, and make-believe games. One of the most cherished of these was the playful act of pretending to be husband and wife. Children in school playgrounds, village squares, and backyards would assign roles with giddy excitement. The “husband” would return from an imaginary day at work, welcomed by a “wife” who had been busy cooking sand and leaves, serving up make-believe meals on bottle caps. Other friends played the roles of “neighbors” and “children,” adding fun and flair to the pretend family setting.
These childhood games, innocent as they were, reflected the values ingrained in children by their families and communities. They subtly taught responsibility, caregiving, and cooperation. But perhaps, for some Nigerian celebrities, this childhood game of playing husband and wife never truly ended. Given the rate at which marriages in the entertainment industry crash, one cannot help but wonder: Are some of them still experiencing the hangover of various child’s play marriage they engaged in when they were children? Do they see marriage as a game rather than a lifelong commitment?
Marriage, a sacred institution rooted in love, patience, and commitment, seems to have been reduced to a mere spectacle in the Nigerian entertainment industry. For some celebrities, tying the knot is treated with as much seriousness as signing an endorsement deal or starring in a blockbuster movie. The glitz and glamour of their wedding ceremonies are often headline-worthy, filled with opulence, designer outfits, and guest lists featuring the crème de la crème of society. But barely before the wedding flowers wither, the unions start to crumble, and divorce announcements flood social media like a poorly scripted reality TV show.
Take, for instance, actress Tonto Dikeh and her infamous split from Olakunle Churchill. Their relationship, once celebrated with extravagant public displays of affection, soon turned into a messy social media battle filled with accusations and counter-accusations. Similarly, Nollywood star Chika Ike’s short-lived marriage and the controversial break-up of actress Mercy Aigbe from her husband Lanre Gentry further paint a picture of celebrity unions that often seem built on shaky foundations.
Music stars are not exempt either. Tiwa Savage’s marriage to Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun crashed amidst public drama and allegations, despite the glamorous wedding they had in Dubai. More recently, Paul Okoye of P-Square and his wife Anita ended their long-time union, leaving many fans disappointed. Currently making headlines on both the landscapes of conventional media and social media is that of Twoface Idibia’s public announcement of his intention to divorce his wife, Annie Idibia. Without a doubt, his announcement has set social media abuzz, making it one of the top trending topics. Fans and entertainment enthusiasts are reacting with shock and speculation, as the celebrity couple has had a history of publicized ups and downs in their marriage. While some express sympathy for Annie, others debate the possible reasons behind the decision, reigniting discussions on celebrity relationships and their challenges.
At this juncture, it is germane to ask, “Why are celebrity marriages crumbling?” The answer to the foregoing cannot be farfetched as several factors contribute to the seemingly endless cycle of celebrity marriages ending in divorce. Such factors, no doubt, cut across the fairy tale syndrome, the pressure to put on a show, the social media factor, the “Easy Exit” mindset, and infidelity and trust issues.
Explanatorily put, not a few celebrities; over the years, perhaps conditioned by the fantasy world of movies, music videos, and social media, enter marriage with unrealistic expectations. They believe in fairy tale endings where love alone is enough to sustain a marriage, forgetting that successful unions require compromise, effort, and commitment. In a similar vein, in the entertainment industry, image is everything. Many celebrity weddings are more about branding than genuine commitment. The elaborate ceremonies and expensive rings often serve as marketing tools to enhance a star’s brand, rather than a reflection of true partnership.
Also in a similar vein, marriage in the digital age comes with its unique set of challenges. Celebrity couples often feel pressured to project an image of perfection online. However, the same platform that offers them adoration quickly turns into a battleground when things go south. Dirty linens are washed in public, and fans become judges and jurors, sometimes exacerbating marital conflicts.
Analyzed from another perspective, it is germane to opine that unlike in the past, where marriage was considered a lifelong journey with inevitable ups and downs, many celebrities today treat it as something disposable. The concept of “till death do us part” has been replaced with “till social media controversy do us part.” With the prevalence of divorce, leaving a marriage seems to have become as easy as leaving a movie set after filming.
Also, with fame comes attention, and with attention comes temptation. Many celebrity marriages are rocked by allegations of infidelity, leading to breakdowns in trust. The flashy lifestyle, constant travel, and interactions with fans and colleagues often create opportunities for cheating, making it difficult for many celebrity unions to withstand the pressure.
Be that as it may, there are lessons to learn from failed celebrity marriages. In fact, it is high time celebrities, and society at large, relearned the true essence of marriage. Beyond the spectacle of lavish weddings, marriage requires maturity, patience, and commitment. There are key lessons to be drawn from the failed marriages of Nigerian entertainers, and one of the lessons is that marriage should be built on substance, not spectacle. In fact, the focus should shift from extravagant weddings to solid foundations. A wedding lasts a day, but marriage is meant to last a lifetime. Love, mutual respect, and compatibility should be prioritized over superficial displays of wealth and status.
In a similar vein, it is high time celebrities learnt how to keep personal matters private. This is as social media has been the downfall of many celebrity marriages. In fact, personal disputes should be handled privately, not turned into online drama for public consumption. The fewer the eyes prying into a couple’s affairs, the better the chances of resolving conflicts amicably.
Again, celebrities should seek counseling and guidance from counselors whenever their marriages are experiencing hiccups. This is because marriage is not an easy journey, and seeking professional counseling should not be seen as a sign of weakness. Celebrities, like anyone else, should invest in pre-marital and post-marital counseling to navigate the inevitable challenges of marriage.
In a similar vein, celebrities whose marriages are passing through hiccups should understand that love alone is not enough. While love is a beautiful foundation, it is not enough to sustain a marriage. Trust, commitment, compromise, and shared values play a critical role in ensuring longevity in any relationship.
In fact, it is time for some Nigerian celebrities to grow up. Without resort to denigrating anyone in this context, the childhood game of playing husband and wife was fun while it lasted, but adulthood demands a different level of responsibility. Nigerian celebrities need to realize that marriage is not a performance or a role to be played for the cameras—it is a lifelong commitment that requires dedication, sacrifice, and maturity. Until many of them let go of the lingering hangover from their childhood role-playing, the cycle of extravagant weddings followed by messy divorces will continue. Perhaps it is time for some serious introspection, because, at the end of the day, marriage is not child’s play.
