Category Entertainment News

Love Island viewers were quick to respond to a comment made by Shakira Khan on the launch episode of the ITV2 show’s new series, which kicked off earlier tonight

Viewers reacted to a comment just minutes into the launch of Love Island’s new series tonight. They shared their confusion over the remark which came as two islanders were getting to know each other after entering the villa.

The original line-up includes twelve islanders who have now been introduced on the ITV2 show. They were seen entering the villa in Majorca on the launch episode of the reality TV show this evening, hosted by presenter Maya Jama.

Shakira Khan, 22, and Meg Moore, 25, were among the first to enter the villa. Just minutes into the episode, they were seen getting to know each other ahead of potentially spending several weeks over the summer as co-stars.

Whilst discussing their jobs back home, Shakira said to the other islander: “You’re too glamorous to do a nine-to-five.” Asked to guess what Meg did, she added in the scene: “I feel like it’s something interesting. Go on, I’ll never guess.”

Meg then revealed: “So I do payroll. I’m a payroll specialist.” Shakira reacted: “She’s a corporate girly.” Meg agreed, with her heard saying back to her: “I’m a corporate girl.”

Shakira went on to share that she herself works in sales and marketing. She however told Meg that she also dresses up as a princess on weekends, revealing that she has a second job as an entertainer at children’s parties.

Fans were quick to react to Shakira’s comment on X, formerly known as Twitter. One person wrote: “Not too glamorous for a 9-5, oh dear.” Another questioned in their response: “Too gorgeous to do a 9-5??? What does that mean.” A third person posted: “What does ‘too glamorous to do a 9-5 even mean?”

Later in the episode, there was further reference to 9 to 5 jobs from Shakira whilst the girls reviewed profiles for the boys. It came whilst discussing Harry Cooksley, who had described himself as a commodities trader in his profile.

Questioning what the job title meant, Shakira said: “I feel like that’s a bit of a 9 to 5.” Asked if she’s a fan of that, she said: “No.” Shakira then clarified that she likes partners who “graft” but isn’t keen on “corporate boys”. She added: “The finance bros.”

One person reacted: “Second time someone’s basically scuffed at people who work a 9 to 5. Not a great start is it.” Another said: “What’s Shakiras issue with a 9-5?” Someone else wrote: “Not the babe hating on a 9-5???”

Another said: “Watching Shakira slag off 9-5 jobs as if she isn’t an entertainer.” One viewer teased: “Shakira’s ick being someone with a 9-5 makes zero sense cause that’s like every guy in the world.”

Maya revealed that the first coupling up ceremony would be “slightly different” this year. She told the girls, who entered the villa first, that they would get to review dating profiles of the six boys and then each choose their favourite.

Love Island continues tomorrow night on ITV2 and ITVX from 9pm.

Maya Jama is already stealing the show with her Love Island looks, and we’ve found exactly where to shop them plus a few affordable alternatives

The new season of Love Island is officially underway, and all eyes are focused on what Maya Jama is going to wear next. The presenter always kills the fashion game, so we’re not surprised to see her serving up (just a few!) amazing looks in the first episode.

With an expected eight week run of the show, we can’t wait to see what looks Maya turns out, and we’ve done all the hard work by finding out exactly where the looks are from, plus where you can shop some more affordable alternatives.

From vintage Versace to statement shell jewellery and dark summer florals, check out where to shop Maya’s outfits from the launch episode.

READ MORE: Love Islander’s spark retro-inspired swimwear trend – where to shop the exact looks

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Black floral dress

Making her first appearance into the Love Island villa, Maya rocked a black foral midi dress teamed with a pair of statement colourful earrings. The exact dress is 2004 Roberto Cavalli, and is the perfect combintation of feminine and sexy, something Maya always nails.

If you want to channel the look for a little less, and in something a little more wearable, we’ve found a floral alternative from Nobody’s Child that’s currently on sale from £65 to £52.

Shop similar: Black Floral Adrian Midi Dress, Nobody’s Child, currently £52 here

Versace promo look

Sporting a vintage Versace look (which is unfortunately not availabel for purchase), Maya kicked off the new series aboard a luxury yacht on the Med, and to fit into the sea theme, she teamed a pair of stunning gold shell drop earrings with her Versace outfit.

We have found the exact pair, but they will set you back over £500. The pair in question are the Chloé Shells drop earrings, priced at £550. Shell jewellery is arguably the biggest accessory trend of the summer so it’s no suprise to see someone as stylish as Maya rocking this look.

Shop similar swimsuit: Rhodes Cup-Size Swimsuit, Bdden, £86 here

Oyinkansola would normally take shelter to avoid the blazing sun. But on Sunday, June 8, 2025, she did not. She braved the heat and joined other residents of the serene Ijebu town as they made their way to the Awujale Pavilion, the venue of the 2025 Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu, Ogun State.

Looking stunning in her striped navy and sky blue ‘buba,’ ‘shokoto,’ and ‘fila made from Aso Oke, she wore a pair of sunglasses. Her neck and wrists were adorned with coruscating beads, and in her right hand was a black staff, typical of royalties, though she was not one.

But behind her elegant looks was a whole year of preparation for the biggest festival in Ijebuland one of the most colourful and globally recognised even in Yorubaland — Ojude Oba. To every son and daughter of Ijebu Ode, the Ojude Oba festival is the pride of the area, and Oyinkansola did not mince words while describing how important the event is to her.

“I’m here to celebrate, and I’m representing the Kabiyesi himself. We’re having fun, we’re enjoying the moment,” she told Channels Television, grinning from ear to ear.

“This is my town, and this is my village, and this is what we do every year to celebrate the king himself, the Awujale Of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

“I think the preparation took a year. You know, after this one (Ojude Oba festival), then another one (preparation) starts. That is how we do it yearly. So, it takes a whole year to prepare,” Oyinkansola added.

Tradition With Style

Ojude Oba, which means ‘The King’s Court’ in English, originally started as a ceremony organised by a group of Muslim faithful to pay homage to the traditional ruler of Ijebuland. The history of the festival can be traced to the 19th century when Islam began to spread across Ijebuland.

Ojude Oba takes place at the Awujale Pavilion and is overseen by the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

Held on the third day after Eid-el-Kabir, a Muslim celebration popularly known as Sallah or ‘Ileya’ in the South-West, the ceremony is widely known for its vibrant display of different Yoruba attire.

The attire worn by different age groups not only reveals class but also tells stories about the Yoruba culture and heritage.

Although the event was temporarily interrupted in 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that shook the world, Ojude Oba has continued to provide a platform to sustain the courtly cultural history of the Ijebus, better told by the people.

The 2025 edition of the festival held on Sunday, June 8, 2025, attracted hundreds of participants drawn from different parts of the country and elegantly dressed in local fabrics like Adire, Aso Oke, Agbada, and Iro and Buba.

UK To Ijebu Ode With Pride

Like Onyikansola, Adewale, who flew in from the United Kingdom to attend the festival, said he had already planned for the event a year ago.

“I started preparing for this last year because coming to Nigeria is expensive, so you have to start preparing,” he said.

“And because there is poverty in the land, you need to prepare for what you need to do. It’s a matter of responsibility because we need to give back to society. I’ve got more than 10 of us here, right now — some from America, some from the UK, and some from Germany.

“We only do this once in a year. I’m proud to be an Ijebu man. I was born and raised here. It’s one of the best things because you can’t stay away from the culture. For one reason or the other, I live abroad but I can’t leave my culture,” he added.

Brisk Business For Traders

Interestingly, Ojude Oba offers huge economic opportunities for the Ijebu people, especially in the areas of hospitality and tourism as major hotels and guesthouses are usually fully booked by local and international guests.

From the major road leading to the pavilion, local traders displayed their wares on both sides of the road, while those who did not want to restrict themselves, hawked their wares around.

Corporate organisations also cashed in on the large crowd drawn by the festival. They made sure every available space along the road and within the pavilion was covered with posters and fliers marketing their products and services.

Swank ‘Regbe Regbes’

One of the high points of the ceremony is the colourful parade of different age groups, locally known as ‘Regbe Regbe’ to pay homage to the Ajuwale.

At this year’s edition, over 30 male and female age groups participated in the cultural fiesta and they did not disappoint. They positioned themselves in strategic areas at the pavilion.

Some of the age groups spotted by Channels Television were Egbe Arobayo Obinrin (Asiwaju, Akile Ijebu), Egbe Bobagunte (Akile Ijebu), Egbe Tobalase Obinrin (Akile Ijebu), Egbe Arobayo Okunrin (Akile Ijebu), Egbe Gbobaniyi Okunrin (Oredegbe Akile Ijebu), and Egbe Jagunmolu Okunrin (Fehintade, Akile Ijebu).

Others were Egbe Jagunmolu Obinrin (Omooba, Akile Ijebu), Egbe Gbobaniyi Okunrin (Asiwaju, Akile Ijebu), Egbe Bobagunte Obinrin (Omo Oba Akile Ijebu, Egbe Bobagunte Okunrin (Akile Ijebu), Egbe Bobakeye Obinrin (Double T.) Akile Ijebu; and Egbe Obafuwaji Obinrin (The Great) Akile Ijebu.

Shakiru Salami, a member of the Egbe Jagunmolu Okunrin (Fehintade, Akile Ijebu) explained that the membership of each age group depends on the method adopted by the group. He, however, noted that the gathering of the groups does not end at the festival.

“The selection depends on the group. It is always the Iyalode who is the first person to get to the committee at the palace. From there, they may start recruiting more members who are Ijebu either in Nigeria or in the diaspora,” Salami said.

“This is Ijebu for you, to celebrate our culture and for all of us to be together. After this, we meet as egbe’ in various groups for the development of our hometown. The attire symbolise who we are and the beauty of Ijebuland in culture and colours. So, this (Ojude Oba) is the point where we celebrate every year and discuss our future, helping each other and the camaraderie,” he added.

Oba Johnson Adebayo, who is the leader of the Bobaniyi Asiwaju Akile Ijebu Okunrin age group, comprising men born between 1962 and 1964, said he had been attending the festival since the 1970s. But what makes the 2025 edition stand out?

“You can see the glamour they added. Look at the setting. This one is unique to pay homage to the Ajuwale. In the ones I attended as a child in the 70s, the Ajuwale’s palace was used for the festival,” Adebayo told Channels Television.

‘Dobale Fun Oba’

At the 2025 edition on Sunday, June 8, 2025, each group later took turns to salute the king at the VIP section. However, due to the large turnout, only the leaders (Giwa and Iyalode) of the groups were allowed to enter the VIP section, while others remained at the entrance waving banners bearing the names of the groups.

Among those spotted at the VIP stand were the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami; the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; and two former governors of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Senator Gbenga Daniel.

Attendees Defy Hot Weather

Although most of the attendees were grateful that it did not rain — despite being the rainy season — the excess heat was palpable on the sweaty faces of many of the residents and visitors.

Many of them were seen fanning themselves in a desperate attempt to direct cool air to their faces. Some who were not lucky enough to sit in the shade used plastic hand fans or fashion accessories to provide some shade.

But water vendors cashed in on the situation as many participants helped themselves with bottled water or water packed in sachets — popularly known as ‘pure water’ — to quench their thirst.

“It is very hot today. I had to leave my group to come out to get fresh air,” Salami, who was seen standing at the centre of the pavilion, told Channels Television.

Theatrics By Horse Riders

One spectacle that no one wants to miss at the festival is horse riding, typical of the Durbar festival in the North.

The horse riders at the Ojude Oba festival, who represented different Balogun families, were stylishly dressed in attire that casts an aura of aristocracy. The families included Balogun Adenuga, Balogun Alatise, Balogun Adesoye, Balogun Alausa, and Balogun Kuku.

More interesting was the display of dexterity by the female horse riders smartly and beautifully dressed. Each female rider turned out in a unique attire that represented a participating family.

They were also ushered in by youths bearing banners and local hunters who shot in the air as the rider carried out manoeuvres in an attempt to make the horse stand on their hind legs. Many of the onlookers scampered to safety to avoid being kicked by the horses.

Crowd Control

Owing to the national and global significance of Ojude Oba, security agencies deployed personnel to the venue of the festive to protect lives and property and forestall a breakdown of law and order. Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps were sighted at the event.

However, security agents had a hard time controlling the mammoth crowd within and around the pavilion. Residents were seen shoving one another as they struggled to move around or get a spot. At the VIP section, there was little thoroughfare occasioned by the large number of people at every nook and cranny of the area.

Deafening Vuvuzelas

Local entertainers thrilled guests; one of the drummers slammed his drum so hard in the excitement that the force sprinkled drops of sweat from his face in different directions. Many kids, mostly teens, had fun blowing vuvuzelas, reminiscent of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

“I am blowing it because I am having fun,” one of the kids said with a smile before dashing forward to join his peers.

‘Ojude Oba Engine For Youth Engagement’

Speaking at the ceremony, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, described the Ojude Oba festival as a dynamic tool for youth engagement. He said that it was not just a celebration but a symbol of communal harmony and cultural heritage.

“Ojude Oba has become a dynamic engine of tourism, youth engagement, and entrepreneurship. Our administration is determined to expand its reach and impact,” the governor said.

Given the importance of the festival, he said his administration was encouraging access in Ijebuland and across Ogun State through the provision of infrastructure, enhancing educational and digital facilities, upgrading the healthcare infrastructure, and supporting local enterprises.

“We’re ensuring that no community is left behind. The vibrant youths of Ijebuland, let me assure you that our government will continue to provide platforms for you to excel.

“As we celebrate Ojude Oba with horses, harmony, and heritage, let us recognise that our rich culture is not just a source of pride but a catalyst for sustainable development,” Abiodun added.

He further stressed the need for the Ijebus to work together to build a better and more prosperous future for themselves, their children, and future generations.

“Our greatest strength lies in our unity, values, and our shared resolve to build a prosperous Ogun State that leaves no one behind,” Abiodun noted.

Sly Stone has died, aged 82, following a series of health issues, his family have announced today. He’s said to have been surrounded by loved ones when he died.

The musician, whose real name was Sylvester Stewart, is best known for fronting the band Sly and the Family Stone, who rose to fame in the 1960s. The group’s history includes topping the charts and, years after disbanding, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame back in 1993.

It’s been announced today that Sly died after a “prolonged battle” with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other health issues. The news has been met with tributes following his family’s statement about Sly.

In a statement shared with the Mirror, his family said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone. After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family.”

They added that they will take comfort over his legacy continuing. They said: “While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come.”

His family continued: “Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music. His iconic songs have left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable. In a testament to his enduring creative spirit, Sly recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course, which follows a memoir published in 2024.”

They concluded in the statement: “We extend our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers during this difficult time. We wish peace and harmony to all who were touched by Sly’s life and his iconic music. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unwavering support.”

Sly is best known as a member of the funk band Sly and the Family Stone. The group, which formed in 1966, included his siblings Freddie Stone and Rose Stone, as well as other members like Cynthia Robinson, Greg Errico, Jerry Martini and bassist Larry Graham.

The group are known for songs like Everyday People, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US following its release in 1968. Their other singles include Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) and Family Affair, which topped the same chart, as well as Dance to the Music, which peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart.

He was in the group from 1966 to 1975, when it disbanded. That same year, he released his debut solo album, High on You. More recently, he released his memoir Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) in 2023.

The news of his death has prompted tributes on social media. One fan wrote on X: “RIP to Sly Stone. Innovator, funk aficionado, and frontman of Sly & The Family Stone.” Another said: “Rest in Peace to the legendary, trailblazing funk icon, Sly Stone!”

Another tribute read: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the legendary musical genius, Sly Stone. His influence on music and culture has been immeasurable, and his legacy will resonate for generations. You will be dearly missed.”

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Love Island returns later tonight with its new series and host Maya Jama has teased what to expect from her fashion choices throughout the ITV2 show this summer

Host Maya Jama has teased over her wardrobe for the latest series of Love Island, which launches later tonight. The presenter returns to front the reality TV show as a dozen islanders enter the villa abroad for the first time.

Maya, 30, has been met with praise over outfits that she’s modelled hosting the ITV2 show in the past, with her fashion choices often complimented by fans. She has now teased what to expect from her wardrobe for the new series.

The presenter will join the original twelve islanders in the villa in Majorca on tonight’s launch episode as they get coupled-up for the first time and then return on occasion throughout the series. She’s teased that viewers can expect to see her in vintage-inspired designer looks.

She’s said to have showcased one example on a yacht last night as she made a “showstopping” entrance ahead of entering the villa itself. The “preloved” outfit consisted of a Versace one-piece swimsuit and sarong.

Maya told the Sun: “We’re doing all archive, vintage, Nineties runway inspired.” The presenter, who has hosted Love Island since 2023, having taken over from Laura Whitmore, went on to say they are all from “hidden archives”.

She continued: “The designers have been hunting them down for the last few months for me. Everything should have a runway reference.” She suggested to the outlet that her wardrobe for the new series will be “very vintage”.

Maya then teased that she has chosen fashion options that she can’t “rip” or “ruin” during production of the reality TV show. She explained that that is because the vintage outfits have to “go back” after the host has worn them.

She shared photos of herself modelling the swimsuit on board the yacht on Instagram yesterday and wrote in the caption: “Having fun with it .. Love Island starts tomorrow at 9pm.” Maya later added: “Wearing full archive Versace.”

Tonight’s launch episode will introduce the first twelve islanders to viewers. It’s been announced that the process of them coupling-up for the first time will be “slightly different” this year, with Maya revealing the details to the girls, prior to the arrival of the first six boys taking part this series.

After getting the six of them to share their respective types with her, the presenter tells them: “This year things are slightly different. You’ve told me what your type on paper is, but does that match your ideal man in reality?”

As they line up, Maya announces: “Girls, in front of you there are six love hearts and each boy has given me their dating profile which is written on each of these hearts – shall we have a look at what these boys have to offer?”

Once they have looked at the profiles and discussed them as a group, they are given just seconds to make a decision on who to couple up with first. ITV has teased that they must run to a heart but only one girl is allowed at each one.

Love Island returns tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

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