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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Dream Counts: A Story Born from Pain, Poetry, and Power

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Dream count

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

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In the depths of grief, she turned to poetry not for publication, but for herself.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

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.

Dream count

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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Lady Gaga Shuts Down Protester With Hilarious Comeback

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Lady Gaga has done it again  and this time, not with a chart-topping song or a jaw-dropping red carpet look, but with a kiss that has the entire internet buzzing. A resurfaced behind-the-scenes video from the upcoming film Joker: Folie à Deux  is making waves across TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter — and it’s pure Gaga gold.

The now-viral clip shows Gaga, who was playing Harley Quinn, storming past a loud protester yelling, “You’re going to hell!” But instead of ignoring the outburst or firing back with a classic celebrity clap back, Gaga, the queen of unexpected — walks right up to the woman, plants a bold kiss on her lips, and allegedly whispers, “Now you’re coming with me.”

 

Outburst

Social media platforms have since exploded. The TikTok post from @naijagetgist has racked up over a million likes, with thousands of fans declaring Gaga “iconic,” “legendary,” and “the hero we didn’t know we needed.” While some were initially shocked, most were living for the drama, the sass, and the absolute Harley Quinn energy she brought to the moment.

 

Lady Gaga playing Harley Quinn

Was This Real?

If you thought Gaga pulled this off mid-street in real life, you’re not alone. Many fans initially believed this was a real confrontation, thanks to the raw footage and intense reactions. But it’s actually a scene filmed on March 26, 2023, for Joker: Folie à Deux, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 Joker film starring Joaquin Phoenix.

In this film, Gaga steps into the chaotic shoes of Harley Quinn, opposite Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck (aka Joker). From what we’ve seen so far, her version of Harley is every bit as bold, authentic, and unforgettable. And this viral moment proves it.

The kiss scene, however, didn’t make the final cut of the movie. Director Todd Phillips later revealed that it was scrapped to preserve the musical tone and pacing of the film. Still, the internet never forgets, and as soon as the behind-the-scenes footage resurfaced, it took on a life of its own — proving that Gaga’s outtakes are better than most people’s main scenes.

 

Lady Gaga

Gaga Being Gaga

What makes this moment so memorable isn’t just the shock factor. It’s the way Gaga, whether in character or out of it, turns confrontation into performance. The protester’s hate-fueled comment was met with a theatrical kiss — a move that feels both deeply Harley Quinn and deeply Gaga. For a pop icon who has long championed LGBTQ+ rights, freedom of expression, and unapologetic weirdness, the moment felt like poetic justice.

Fans Reaction

One TikTok user wrote, “Lady Gaga said ‘If I’m going to hell, I’m bringing company!’ and honestly? Mood.” Another commented, “This is how you silence hate — with lipstick and chaos.”

Whether you’re a Little Monster, a DC film fan, or just someone who loves a good viral moment, this scene is pure internet magic and would get your lips moving and your mind racing. Lady Gaga might be Harley Quinn on screen, but off-screen, she’s still the same boundary-pushing superstar we know and love — serving drama, and headlines like no one else.

also read: Cannes Festival 2025: The Stars, The Styles, The Stories.

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Cannes Festival 2025: The Stars, The Styles, The Stories.

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wan at cannes

The 78th Cannes Film Festival, running from May 13 to 24, 2025 is a sparkling convergence of boldness, cinema, fashion and cultural discourse. 

This year’s edition stood out for its bold red carpet appearances and thought-provoking films. Standing out most especially was the significant policy changes that got tongues talking. The festival had worked on its dress code, banning nudity and extra voluminous ball gowns. This has sparked so many debates online. 

While people have been criticising the policy changes, here are some stars that showed up at the Cannes Film Festival looking dashing. 

Read Also: Top 10 Best-Dressed Celebrities at AMVCA 2025 Cultural Night

Bella Hadid

bella hadid at cannes

Model Bella Hadid stunned in a form-fitting black Saint Laurent dress featuring a high slit and bare sides. Her look stirred conversation as it tactfully navigated the festival’s newly enforced dress code. The code which prohibits nudity and overly voluminous gowns. She paired the look with 118.68-carat emerald Chopard earrings and a 12.15-carat diamond ring. Hadid balanced elegance and defiance, making a case for fashion as protest. 

Irina Shayk

cannes

Irina dressed in alignment to the festival’s new dress code that prohibits nudity and excessively large ball dresses. She graced the Festival in a black and white polka dot Armani Privé gown. 

The look featured a strapless bodice with structured lines, balloon sleeves, a flowing pleated skirt, black gloves and two toned earrings. This look expressed Shayk’s ability to turn heads with elegance and marked sophistication. 

Heidi Klum

cannes heidi klum

Heidi Klum made a bold statement at the Cannes Festival, gracing the red carpet in a pink floral Elie Saab couture gown with a long train. While the look was on that turned heads, it violated the newly enforced dress code which prohibits voluminous dresses. 

The dress also featured a thigh high slit that added to the dazzle of the entire look. 

Eva Longoria

eva longoria at cannes

Appearing on the red carpet of the Cannes Festival showcasing her love for nude once more is Eva Longoria. The haute couture gown by Tamara Ralph was the main character as it mirrored an hour glass body with black running down the sides. She finished the look with diamond earrings and a majestic choker. 

Wan Qianhui

wan at cannes

Chinese actress, wan Qianhui attended the Cannes Festival looking celestial in a large cloudlike white dress that looks like huge cotton balls. The dress was strapless and fitted at the bodice with a voluminous skirt. 

While some of the outfits went against the virally criticized newly enforced dress code, they were dazzling and made loud and bold statements.

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Breaking Through: Nigeria Films at the Cannes Festival 2025

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The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival from May 13 to May 24, 2025 marks a historic turning point for Nigerian cinema. For the first time ever, Nigeria isn’t just participating at the prestigious global event; it’s staking a powerful claim on the world stage.

From a debut national pavilion to the official recognition of two groundbreaking films, Nigeria is rewriting the narrative of African storytelling at Cannes. This year’s festival features 22 films in the Official Selection, but what makes 2025 unforgettable for Nollywood isn’t just the numbers, it’s the quality, boldness, and cultural depth of the stories being told.

This is more than presence. It’s representation with purpose, and a moment that signals a new era for Nigerian film.

Here are the two Nigerian films making waves at Cannes 2025, each bringing a unique story and perspective to the global stage.

My Father’s Shadow

Director: Akinola Davies Jr.

Category: Cannes Official Selection

Premiere Date: May 18, 2025

My Father’s Shadow makes history as the first Nigerian feature film to be included in the Cannes Official Selection. Set against the backdrop of the 1993 Nigerian presidential election, the film follows two brothers navigating a politically tense Lagos with their estranged father.

With raw emotion, political insight, and masterful cinematography, this film represents a milestone for Nigerian storytelling on the global stage.

Osamede

Director: James Omokwe

Category: Cannes Film Market Screening

Screening Date: May 17, 2025

Rooted in African mythology and history, Osamede is a fantasy thriller set in the 1897 Benin Kingdom. It follows a young orphan girl who discovers her superhuman powers and sets out to protect her people against colonial threats. With its stunning visuals and mythical narrative, Osamede is a bold testament to Nollywood’s capacity for genre innovation and world-building.

Its screening at the Cannes Film Market puts the spotlight on Nigeria’s ability to compete at a global scale.

Conclusion

With the groundbreaking inclusion of My Father’s Shadow and the fantasy brilliance of Osamede, Cannes 2025 marks a monumental moment for Nollywood.

This is not just a breakthrough, it’s a blueprint for the next chapter of Nollywood: bold, visionary, and ready to take center stage. Which of these Nigerian films will you watch first? The historical and emotional layers of My Father’s Shadow? The magical, mythical adventure of Osamede? Let me know in the comments which one you’re most excited to see.

Read also: From Nominees to Reigning Stars 

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