Entertainment
James Earl Jones, voice of Mufasa in ‘Lion King,’ dies at 93
James Earl Jones, a versatile and award-winning American stage and screen actor who used his booming deep voice to bring the iconic “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader to life, has died, his representatives said Monday. He was 93 years old.
From the works of Shakespeare and August Wilson, to his indelible voiceovers in the blockbuster space saga and as Mufasa in the Disney classic “The Lion King,” Jones earned fans with his ability to play both the everyman and the other He won three Tony awards including a lifetime award, two Emmys and a Grammy, as well as an honorary Oscar, also for lifetime achievement.
In 1971, he became only the second Black man nominated for an Academy Award for best actor, after Sidney Poitier.
All of these accolades were hard-won, as Jones, who was born in segregated Mississippi on January 17, 1931, had to overcome a childhood stutter that often led him to barely speak at all.
“Stuttering is painful. In Sunday school, I’d try to read my lessons and the children behind me were falling on the floor with laughter,” Jones told the Daily Mail in 2010.
Reciting his own poetry, at the prodding of an English teacher, helped him to gain control of his voice, which would later be used to strike fear among millions in “Star Wars” as Darth Vader.
Jones did not physically portray the character — David Prowse wore Vader’s black cape and imposing face mask, while Jones offered the voice, oozing the evil power of the Dark Side.
“I am your father,” Vader tells Luke Skywalker, portrayed by Mark Hamill, in a pivotal fight scene in “The Empire Strikes Back” — a twist etched in cinema history.
“He created, with very little dialogue, one of the greatest villains that ever lived,” “Star Wars” creator George Lucas said in 2015 at a ceremony honoring Jones in New York.
▪︎AFP
Entertainment
Tiwa Savage: “Usher is so lovely”
Tiwa Savage is widely known for her genre-blending sound and magnetic stage presence.
Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage has disclosed that American R&B star, Usher Raymond is a lovely personality.
Savage recently made this known during a chat with Rebecca Judd on Apple Music 1 during an intimate and entertaining session.
The self-acclaimed Africa’s number one bad girl reflected on her journey as one of Africa’s most influential music exports while opening up on being brought out by Usher as a surprise guest during his sold-out O2 Arena shows in London.
The ‘Somebody’s Son’ singer said, “That was the second time, the first was at Global Citizen in Ghana,” she shared.
“This one was extra special. I was so nervous, but Usher is just so lovely and professional.
”Tiwa Savage is widely known for her genre-blending sound and magnetic stage presence.
American singer R. Kelly is currently serving a 30-year jail sentence in North Carolina for sex trafficking and racketeering.
According to report, Kelly, 58, was recently rushed to the hospital from prison after what his lawyer described as a near-deadly overdose.
His legal team has now filed an emergency request asking the court to release him temporarily from custody, saying his life is in danger.
Kelly, collapsed in his solitary confinement cell on June 13, just three days after being isolated.
His lawyer, Beau Brindley, claimed that the singer was given a dangerously high dose of medication on June 12, while still in solitary confinement.
The next day, he reportedly fainted and was taken to Duke University Hospital, where doctors said the medication could have killed him.
Entertainment
Multichoice: BBNaija Season 9 Reunion Starts June 23
The programme would be aired on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family, as well as on DStv and GOtv platforms.
The organiser of the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality TV show, Multichoice, has announced June 23, 2025, for the premiere of the season 9 edition reunion show titled ‘No Loose Guard’.
According to Multichoice, the reunion will bring new energy, drama, and excitement, as the 2024 housemates return with heightened emotions.
“Old beef, new energy, new drama. Your favourites are coming in hot. #BBNaijaReunion starts on June 23 at 10:00 p.m. Set your alarms,” the organiser said.
The programme would be aired on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family, as well as on DStv and GOtv platforms.
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