A public dispute has erupted among Nigerian film stars after actor Gideon Okeke strongly criticized colleague Jim Iyke over a birthday tribute to veteran actress Kate Henshaw. The controversy began when Iyke shared a message for Henshaw’s 53rd birthday last week, sparking polarized reactions across social media platforms.
While some viewers interpreted Iyke’s post as playful banter between friends, others accused him of disrespecting the acclaimed actress through sarcastic phrasing. Okeke escalated the debate by publicly denouncing Iyke’s approach, labeling the tone as “arrogant and narcissistic” in a social media post that has since gone viral.
“This kind of rubbish behaviour gives people the confidence to act like pricks in real life,” Okeke wrote, using expletives to emphasize his disapproval. He questioned why public figures weren’t being held accountable for perceived disrespect, particularly toward established industry veterans like Henshaw, a multiple award-winning actress with three-decade career.
The backlash intensified as social media users dueled over the intent behind Iyke’s message. Supporters maintained the actor’s history of humorous exchanges with friends justified the post. “Jim regularly uses poetic, exaggerated language when joking with women he admires,” commented user @countess_ewere. “The key detail is that Kate hasn’t objected – they’re clearly on good terms.”
However, critics argue the public nature of the exchange crossed professional boundaries. “Even among friends, there’s a line between private jokes and public communication,” noted entertainment commentator Adaobi Nnadi, who analyzed the incident for local outlet Culture Watch. “When millions are watching, tone becomes everyone’s business.”
Fellow actor @chucks_treasure highlighted the complexities of celebrity friendships: “If the birthday person isn’t complaining, outsiders interpreting their rapport might miss context.” Yet user @am_amani suggested alternative motives: “This feels like deliberate provocation for attention,” a sentiment echoed by others referencing Iyke’s history of courting controversy.
As debates continue trending across Nigerian social media, neither Henshaw nor Iyke has publicly addressed the uproar. Industry observers note the incident reflects growing tensions between traditional respect norms in African entertainment circles and evolving digital communication styles among younger stars. With over 15,000 combined reactions to Okeke’s critique within 24 hours, the clash underscores how celebrity interactions now serve as cultural flashpoints in the age of viral content.
