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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Dream Counts: A Story Born from Pain, Poetry, and Power
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is back, and it feels like a long-lost friend has finally returned. After more than a decade since her last novel, Americanah, she gifts us

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Dream Counts a book that is as much about storytelling as it is about survival.
This isn’t just another novel; it’s a deeply personal journey, shaped by grief, self-doubt, and the healing power of words.
Why This Book Feels Different
For years, many of us wondered why Adichie hadn’t written another novel. She kept giving us essays, speeches, and short fiction, but something was missing.
Then, she lost her father in 2020. Less than a year later, her mother passed away too. These tragedies silenced her in a way she had never experienced before.
In a recent New York Times interview, she admitted she thought she might never write fiction again. But poetry saved her.
In the depths of grief, she turned to poetry not for publication, but for herself. And slowly, those poems led her back to storytelling. That’s how Dream Counts was born.
What’s Dream Counts About?
This book tells the story of four African women, Chiamaka (Chia), Zikora, Omelogor, and Kadiatou each dealing with love, loss, ambition, and identity. Their lives intertwine in ways that feel both unexpected and deeply real.

Dream count
Adichie has always been a master of human emotions, and here, she explores:
- Sisterhood and female solidarity: How women uplift, challenge, and sometimes betray each other.
- Diaspora struggles: The balance between longing for home and embracing new worlds.
- Love, power, and justice: What it means to fight for yourself in a world that tries to silence you.
One of the most talked-about characters, Kadiatou, is inspired by Nafissatou Diallo, the woman who accused Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault.
Reading Dream Counts Feels Like…
Reading this book is like sitting across from Adichie herself and listening to her tell a story over tea. The words flow effortlessly, the emotions hit hard, and the characters feel like people you know.

It’s the kind of novel that makes you pause, reflect, and sometimes even whisper, I’ve felt this before.
There’s pain here, but there’s also hope. There’s loss, but also strength. And more than anything,
there’s the reminder that even in the darkest times, stories still count and so do our dreams.
Why You Should Read It
If you’ve ever loved an Adichie novel, this one will feel like home. If you’ve ever felt lost, it will remind you of your strength.
And if you’ve ever doubted your own voice, Dream Counts will make you believe in its power again.
Chimamanda is back. And she has something important to say.
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Temi Otedola and Mr Eazi Expecting Their First Child
Nigerian actress and fashion influencer Temi Otedola (now Temi Ajibade) and her Afrobeats superstar husband, Mr Eazi, officially announced they are expecting their first child in a collaborative Instagram post on May 21, 2026.

Photo: Instagram/@temiotedola
The couple, who completed their three-country wedding celebration in Monaco, Dubai, and Iceland last year, first met at a music gig in 2018 before four years of dating led to Mr Eazi’s proposal in April 2022. The pregnancy marks a new milestone in their relationship.
The news followed a series of black-and-white photos posted by Temi with a caption: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart.”
The couple wore a matching white two-piece set for the shoot, and in the first photo, Mr Eazi stood behind her, gently lifting her chin while she leaned against him, revealing her baby bump.

Photo: Instagram/@temiotedola
Subsequent images are in full colour, clearly showing Temi’s outfit. Her two-piece set featured a sleeveless white tie-front vest top designed with an open center to reveal her growing bump, paired with a matching flowing maxi-length skirt. She layered the outfit with a grey knit cardigan draped off her shoulders. She wore thigh-high knit socks underneath her cowboy-inspired leather boots. Her hair was styled in an auburn low bun with face-framing waves.
This announcement brings a satisfying conclusion to months of online rumors of her pregnancy. Back in January 2026, an unverified post by an influencer on X ( formerly Twitter) shared an AI-generated image of Temi with a baby girl, claiming the couple had quietly welcomed their child. Mr Eazi dismissed the rumor with a sarcastic response: “Is Temi aware of this?”

Photo: Instagram/@temiotedola
The announcement has been met with warm reactions from family, friends and industry colleagues. DJ Cuppy took to X to share the news, writing in her caption: “My sister is pregnant. I am going to be an auntyyyy.”
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Cynthia Erivo Receives Royal Honour From Prince William at Windsor Castle
Cynthia Erivo received a royal honour for her contributions to musical arts on May 19, 2026, where she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. The award was presented to her by Prince William.
When the honor was first announced at the end of 2025, Erivo spoke about the news in a statement. She said “To be given this recognition to celebrate the work that I love to do within the arts, specifically music and drama, is an honor I could never have thought would happen. I hope it shows that I care deeply about the work and will continue to do so to the best of my abilities.”

Photo: Getty Images
For the ceremony, she wore a black Givenchy outfit by Sarah Burton, featuring a structured blazer with heavily padded shoulders and a peplum-style hem, paired with a pleated skirt. The look was styled with a cap and silver jewelry.
Erivo has won an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony, alongside multiple Oscar nominations. She became widely known for her role in “The Color Purple” in 2015, which earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. She has continued to receive major industry recognition, including a second Grammy for her performance of “Defying Gravity” alongside Ariana Grande from the Wicked soundtrack.

Photo: Getty Images
This is not her first connection with the royal family. Erivo was among a group of alumni who welcomed King Charles and Queen Camilla to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in May 2024 as part of the school’s 120th anniversary celebration.

Photo: Getty Images
The MBE is one of the United Kingdom’s recognized honours, awarded to individuals who have made notable contributions in areas such as the arts, science, public service, and charitable work. Erivo was not the only recipient at Windsor Castle. Matt Lucas and Luke Littler were also presented with an award by Prince William during the ceremony.
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Anok Yai Covers British Vogue June 2026 Issue
Supermodel Anok Yai has made a huge return to the spotlight, gracing the cover of British Vogue June 2026. Beyond being a typical fashion spread, the issue marks a comeback story for the 28-year-old Model of the Year, following her illness that almost cost her life and ultimately her career. The issue was unveiled by British Vogue on 14 May, marking a defining new chapter for the supermodel

Photo – Instagram
Anok spoke about her health in a personal interview with British Vogue’s Funmi Fetto. She revealed that she was diagnosed with life-threatening congenital lung defect last year, which demanded an urgent life-saving surgery after her major wins on the global stage. Her recovery took such a fragile turn that she believed her illustrious career was coming to an end, altering her life’s progress. “I remember I would try to walk through the Brooklyn Museum and I couldn’t even get past two rooms. I was, like, ‘My runway career is over.'”

Photo – Instagram
Instead of going solo this time, Anok made “The Summer Fantasy” theme editorial feel more personal. She featured alongside her parents, Nyibol Akuei and Kenyang Yai, in the spotlight, making it less of a high-fashion spread and more like an intimate family album. Serving as a tribute to her parents, who originally fled conflict in South Sudan and also stayed by her side throughout her medical journey.

Photo – Instagram
Anok features in the June issue wearing a variety of high-fashion looks from brands like Chanel, Bottega Veneta, and Loewe. For the striking cover, she wears a brilliant Chanel silk-knit dress selected from Matthieu Blazy’s Fall 2026 collection. The colour-rich shoot was captured by photographer Rafael Pavarotti and styled by Kate Phelan, featuring hair by Jawara W, makeup artistry by Peter Philips, and custom tailoring by Nicholas Guichard.
Other striking portraits were with her mother, Nyibol Akuei, wearing a silk dress by Emilia Wickstead, paired with leather slingbacks by Christian Louboutin. The bracelet is Nyibol’s own.
The visual direction of the shoot carries a deep layer of storytelling, an inspiration drawn from legendary painter Kerry James Marshall, favourite artist of the supermodel.

Photo – Instagram
Anok’s June issue is a celebration of resilience, family and heritage. She shared a heartfelt reflection on what surviving the past year has taught her in her caption on Instagram, “Thank you Chioma Nnadi and British Vogue, this has done so much for my family and me. Thank you for welcoming me back into fashion. Thank you Rafael Pavarotti, we always make magic together.”
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