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CNN
17 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
How Rotimi and Vanessa Mdee's chance romance became a deep dive into faith and purpose
When Nigerian American actor-singer Rotimi and Tanzanian pop star Vanessa Mdee first met in 2019, it was the beginning of a love story that neither of them expected. That first encounter six years ago could be straight from a rom-com. They had both just performed at the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans and ended up at the same Spotify afterparty – neither one particularly eager to be there. But fate had other plans. 'She was sitting on a pool table,' Rotimi laughs. 'The lights were glowing and beaming, and I just thought, 'Yo, who is this?'' A friend of Rotimi made the introduction, which led to several hours of deep conversation. Within days, they were inseparable. A long-distance relationship began – Vanessa in Tanzania, Rotimi in Atlanta, Georgia, in the US – and she came to visit not long after. 'I never left,' Vanessa says with a grin. Now, several years, two children, and a wedding later, the power couple opened up to CNN's Larry Madowo in their first-ever joint interview about love, legacy and living an intentional life of faith. Love in lockdown While the Covid-19 pandemic forced much of the world into stillness, for Rotimi and Vanessa, it became a sacred time. 'I really thank God because he was creating an environment for us to really dive deep into getting to know each other on a very intimate and spiritual level,' Vanessa reflects. At the encouragement of Rotimi, she booked a flight to the US for a mini vacation, but it became an extended stay due to travel restrictions. 'If I had been a day late, we wouldn't have been able to see each other for the period of nine-plus months during which the borders were locked,' she says. The lockdown forced them both into a much-needed break. Cecil and Keke Hammond are bridging cultures in Nigeria. About 20 years ago, the first Rhythm Unplugged concert was created in Lagos to provide a platform for Nigerian artists. later, Flytime Fest was developed to expand that original concept. 'I came onto the scene at the age of 18 years old, so I had been working well into my 30s at this point and I had never taken time off,' Vanessa adds. The timing was also divine for Rotimi, who had just released the hit 'In My Bed.' 'For me, during that time, if the world was open and my record 'In My Bed' had just come out, I would have been moving around touring for the whole run of that song, still doing what I needed to do, and my mind wouldn't have been on anything else,' he says. That time off allowed something deeper than fame to grow, the couple says, sparking a journey toward faith, family and purpose. 'God wanted me to sit down and heal a lot of things,' Rotimi adds, 'and He blessed me with the opportunity to learn this woman.' From fame to faith Vanessa, once one of East Africa's biggest music stars, made headlines when she walked away from the industry at the height of her career in 2020. But the decision wasn't impulsive – it was deeply spiritual. 'For me, (the music industry) was depleting my mental, spiritual, emotional and physical health in many ways. I turned to many different vices that were not good for me as a person,' she says. 'It got to a point where the music industry became extremely toxic for me. I'm not saying it's everybody's story; it's my story.' Today, she co-leads 'For The Better,' the couple's faith-based wellness app and community, where she mentors women across the globe through Bible studies, prayer circles, and now a women's conference. 'I just want every time I step out and do something to be meaningful, purposeful, and effective,' she adds. Rotimi, whose real name is Olurotimi Akinosho, has embraced a life beyond the spotlight, although he continues to build his career with his current role as Pastor Charles on the Showtime series 'The Chi' while releasing new music. 'The job is to be a vessel,' the 36-year-old says. 'God works in mysterious ways; it's not a cookie-cutter approach – it's more of a roundabout way.' A 'kingdom marriage' Their love is both bold and deeply rooted. Married in 2021, they refer to their relationship as a 'kingdom marriage,' grounded in their shared faith. 'We're not perfect,' Vanessa says. 'But we know who's at the center of it all: God.' Together, they are raising two children and navigating a blended cultural household where Yoruba, Swahili and American traditions harmonize. '(The children) know they're 50% Tanzanian and 50% Nigerian, and they can champion that,' Rotimi says. 'It's about giving our kids roots and wings.' 'Building a strong foundation for our children requires a lot of time, commitment, and being very present – like playing with the kids, nurturing their skills, and honing their crafts while giving them a strong foundation in Christ,' adds Vanessa. From love-centered music and wellness apps to Bible studies, it's clear Rotimi and Vanessa feel they are on a mission that reflects a deeper calling. However, when asked if ministry was in their future, the couple was uncertain. 'It would be foolish for us to say no, but it's too early to say yes,' Rotimi says. 'I just know that whatever we do, it's going to be for His glory,' Vanessa adds.
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shiny Doshi: The best things in my life came unplanned
Shiny Doshi, who has been absent from television since her role in Pandya Store in 2023, reveals that her break was unplanned due to a lack of appealing roles. She cherishes the experience of married life after a life of continuous work and appreciates her husband's support. Shiny Doshi has been away from the small screen for the past couple of years. The actress, who was last seen in Pandya Store (2023), says that the break has been unintentional. 'Nothing exciting has come my way. I got married in 2021 while shooting for Pandya Store and spent the first two years of my marriage working every day. It was only after the show ended that I truly experienced what marriage felt like. My husband has been incredibly supportive. Plus, this break has given me time to reflect, grow and just be myself.' The actress, who has featured in TV shows like Bahu Humari Rajni_Kant and Jamai Raja, is happy with the way her career has shaped up so far. She shares, 'I kept going to television. Once I achieved financial stability, I started understanding and appreciating the craft more deeply. Looking back over the past 13-14 years, I've realised that nothing I planned worked out as expected, but when I let go and surrendered, magic happened. The best things in my life came unplanned.' Shiny Doshi is married. She married Lavesh Khairajani on July 15, 2021. Their wedding ceremony was a close-knit affair attended by just 25 people, including their immediate families and friends. The actress had to follow the norms due to the pandemic in 2021. She had said in an earlier interview, "We couldn't invite many people due to Covid-19 restricitons."
BBC News
27 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'So many fights I don't remember' - UFC's most active fighter
UFC veteran Kevin Holland is once again preparing to return to the octagon as he faces Vicente Luque on 7 out of Texas, Holland is known for his short turnarounds and his fight in New Jersey is no will be Holland's 21st fight for the UFC since 2020, making him the company's most active competitor during this made his UFC debut in 2018 - a decision loss against Thiago Santos - Holland catapulted to fame in 2020 because of his limited events because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Holland managed five fights throughout 2020 - winning all five and equalling the record for most UFC wins in a calendar some fighters, five bouts in a year simply isn't possible - but for 'The Trailblazer', this is nothing new."My whole career I've always been pretty active. You're an athlete, you can't be an athlete for 40 years, you can only be it for so long. So take advantage and wish for the best," he told BBC next fight will be his 41st professional bout in 10 years - on three occasions he has competed five or more times in a single year. "Between super matches in jiu jitsu, Muay Thai, MMA, I'd fight seven to eight times a year. I've always fought a lot, never really sit on my butt too much," he added."I've had so many fights I don't remember none of them." 'I don't really need much time between fights' Luque will be Holland's third UFC fight of 2025, most recently defeating Icelandic legend Gunnar Nelson in that, Holland suffered a disappointing first-round loss to Reinier de Ridder in January - just three months after he was pulled from a fight after suffering from a broken rib."I fought against De Ridder probably a little faster then I should've done. At the end of the day, you only learn from being in there. Experience is the best teacher and I tend to get quite a bit of experience," he said."As soon as I was healthy to go it's straight back in the gym. It's simple, I like to stay in there and stay active."I don't really need much time in between fights, two days is typically all a man needs." His constant fighting isn't the only reason for fame inside the UFC - his antics inside the cage have also won him a number of for speaking to his opponents while fighting, Holland most famously asked UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov for "wrestling advice" during an encounter with Derek Brunson in as he sits loading up his gaming console while sat in his Texas home, Holland admitted his history of talking inside the cage isn't just for entertainment purposes."My brain goes a lot of places. You ever heard of ADHD and stuff like that? It's not that fighting is boring, it's a fun sport, but there's a lot of things going through my brain at one time," he said."I'm talking to you, I'm still loading up on the game, I'm always doing 300 things at one time. I'm not good at focusing on one thing for too long." With Luque ranked 14th in the welterweight division, a win for Holland would likely bring him back into the top 15 of the gone through a tough run of form, this could come as a huge boost for Holland's future inside the when asked for advice, Holland admitted he doesn't look too far into the future."I'm just focused on one thing only, and that's the fight coming up," he said."Treat MMA like a real job. Respect and appreciate it, listen to your coaches, and put the grind in. "Don't listen to the critics, listen to the coaches."
Forbes
27 minutes ago
- Business
- Forbes
Thailand's Dusit Thani Shares May Remain Under Pressure After Rout As Family Feud Escalates: Analyst
An artist rendition of Dusit Central Park, which will occupy 3.7 hectares of prime real estate at ... More the junction of Silom and Rama IV roads in central Bangkok. Dusit Thani shares may remain under pressure despite tumbling about 30% this year as the company remained in the red and heirs of the company's late founder Chanut Piyaoui fought for control of the Thai hotel chain. Chanin Donavanik and his sisters Sinee Thienprasiddhi and Sunong Salirathavibhaga inherited the bulkd of a 49.7% stake in Dusit Thani after their mother, Chanut, a pioneer in the That hospitality industry, died in 2020. After the death of the matriach, Chanin's sisters have been fighting for control of the company. The feud escalated this week after Chanut and Children, which is owned two-thirds by Chanin's sisters, rejected the company's 2024 financial statements and blocked the proposed re-appointment of four directors, including the chairman of the board, Arsa Sarasin, at the company's shareholders' meeting, according to local media reports. Chanin is currently vice-chairman of the board. In a statement reported by Thai media, Chanut and Children said it rejected the financial statement because it did not receive satisfactory answers from the management with regard to the company's assets, liabilities and investments. Dusit Thani was among the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. It has accumulated a net loss of more than 3.3 billion baht ($100.8 million) over the past five consecutive years and has not paid dividends to shareholders since 2020. 'The unresolved matters within the family of major shareholders could put pressure on the stock's short-term sentiment,' said Wijit Arayapisit, strategist at Bangkok-based Liberator Securities. The escalation of the family feud comes at a critical time for Dusit Thani, which could potentially turn around with the $1.3 billion Dusit Central Park, a mixed-use hotel, office and residential project in Bangkok's central business district is set to be completed this year. The company's net loss narrowed to 237 million baht in 2024 from 570 million baht the previous year as revenue nearly doubled to 10.1 billion baht. 'Fundamentally, Dusit is clearly on the path of recovery and its businesses have been over the worst,' Wijit said. 'I believe conflicts among family members would sooner or later be settled and now could be a rewarding entry point for long-term investors who can afford to wait.' Dusit Thani owns and manages nearly 300 hotels and resorts across 18 countries. Central Pattana, a listed property unit of the billionaire Chirathivat family's Central Group, owns 17% in Dusit Thani.
Vancouver Sun
44 minutes ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Porter CEO battling CRA over tax bill from 'significant losses' from 'high-risk' pandemic trading
OTTAWA — Porter Airlines' CEO is fighting the CRA over a six-figure tax bill linked to an unsuccessful incursion into 'high risk' trading in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic that cost him over $5.7 million. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Canada in March 2020, Porter's top executive Michael Deluce saw opportunity. As economies suddenly shuttered and investors scrambled to grapple with the global pandemics, markets experienced some of the largest one-day swings in nearly four decades . According to a document filed to the Tax Court of Canada, Deluce noticed market volatility and decided to liquidate an investment portfolio containing low-risk investments that would generate capital, but only in the long-term. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Instead, Deluce put the funds into a self-managed investing account and swung for the stars. According to an appeal he filed in court, the airline executive thought he could make significant amounts of money by investing in high-risk exchange-traded funds (ETF). He tried to short the S&P 500 index because he had a 'very pessimistic view' of the market's reaction to the pandemic and thought he could 'profit off a potential fall of the stock market'. On March 20 — the same day Porter suspended all flights for what would become 18 months — Deluce invested in an ETF focused on the price of futures contracts on crude oil, the document shows. His bet was that oil prices would rise within days after plummeting in early March amid a sharp dip in demand in the U.S. (they did not). '(Deluce) traded high-risk investment products with the intention of capitalizing on the volatility of the market caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and to realize significant short-term profits,' reads his appeal. But Deluce's gamble did not pay off. His appeal states that he incurred 'significant losses' in his attempt to bet against the S&P 500, and losses in the four days he bet on oil prices rising starting March 20, 2020, but some gains from purchasing and selling units of a third ETF on March 26, 2020. After eight months of trading, he had accrued nearly $5.8 million in investment losses as well as interest fees on the loans he took out to fund his trades, according to his filing. Deluce is the son of Robert Deluce, who founded Porter Airlines in 2006 after a lengthy battle with the City of Toronto about development at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport where the airline is headquartered. Michael Deluce was named CEO of Porter Airlines in 2019 and Robert Deluce assumed the role of executive chairman. Because he believed he was acting as a trader, Deluce claimed the amount as a business loss on his 2020 income tax filing as well as some retroactive amounts going back to 2017, reads his appeal. The losses generated over $800,000 in retroactive refunds for 2017 to 2019 and contributed towards generating a $13,000 refund for the 2020 tax year. But years later, CRA reviewed his claim and decided that Deluce was not acting as a trader, so his losses didn't qualify as business losses but instead as capital losses. 'We are of the view that you did not behave in a commercial manner of conducting a business, like a day trader would do. (limited number of transactions, long period of ownership, etc.),' reads an excerpt of the government's reassessment notice quoted in Deluce's appeal. 'If your intention was to earn business income, you should seek daily goals and should have not be expected to track the underlying index over periods longer than one day… Therefore, the loss was capital in nature and not on account of business.' The different is financially significant. If the losses are considered to be from a business, Deluce could claim them against any revenue he made. But if they are capital losses as CRA says, he could only claim 50 per cent of them and only apply them against income from capital gains. As part of its reassessment, CRA claimed over $900,000 in additional income tax, arrears interest and refund interest from Deluce. In his appeal of that decision, Deluce argued that the losses were incurred in the course of an adventure in the nature of trade and that he 'acted in the same way as a trader would.' 'The operating motivation of (Deluce) was not to pursue long-term capital appreciation,' reads he document. 'Deluce completed a significant number of transactions within a short period of time. He made trading decisions based on research, market trends and his own knowledge and professional experience.' In a statement, Porter Airlines spokesperson Brad Cicero said the issue was a personal matter for Mr. Deluce and 'unrelated to Porter and its business activities.' In a separate statement, Deluce's counsel Ed Kroft said the same: 'this tax matter is strictly a personal matter and has no relationship to any Porter activities.' In an interview, veteran tax lawyer David Rotfleisch said Deluce's battle with CRA is one of the most common types of appeal to be litigated in the tax court. 'The case will come down to, does he have the ability and the fact that will persuade a judge that, yeah, this guy did this as a trading transaction, not with an intention to buy an asset, sit on it and sell it down the road,' Rotfleisch said, noting that courts look at intention, expertise and sources of financing in these cases. 'The guy has got a background in business. He worked for Scotia capital. He was a trader. These were short transactions. He borrowed money, he bought on margins. These are all (indications) of an adventure in the nature of trade ,' he added. The CRA declined to comment while the case is in front of the court. The agency has not filed a response to Deluce's appeal. cnardi@ National Post Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what's really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here . Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here .
