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Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Singer Ciara among first descendants of enslaved people granted Benin citizenship
European merchants deported an estimated 1.5 million enslaved people from the Bight of Benin to the Americas. Published Jul 29, 2025 • 3 minute read Singer Ciara attends the 2025 ESPY awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on July 16, 2025. Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP via Getty Images Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. DAKAR, Senegal — U.S. singer Ciara is one of the first public figures to become a citizen of Benin under a recent law by the small West African country granting citizenship to descendants of enslaved people. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Grammy-winning performer's acquisition of citizenship at a ceremony Saturday in the city of Cotonou is part of a broader initiative by Benin to attract the Black diaspora, acknowledge the country's role in the transatlantic slave trade, and promote tourism focused on slavery-related sites of remembrance. 'By legally recognizing these children of Africa, Benin is healing a historical wound. It is an act of justice, but also one of belonging and hope,' Justice Minister Yvon Detchenou said at the ceremony. Here's what to know about Benin's efforts to welcome descendants of enslaved people: Benin's Afro-descendant citizenship law In September, Benin passed a law granting citizenship to those who can trace their lineage to the slave trade. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It is open to anyone above 18 who doesn't already hold other African citizenship and can provide proof that an ancestor was deported via the slave trade from anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa. Beninese authorities accept DNA tests, authenticated testimonies and family records. Last week, the government launched My Afro Origins, the digital platform that processes applications. While Benin is not the first country to grant citizenship to descendants of enslaved people, its citizenship law carries added significance, in part because of the role it played in the transatlantic slave trade. A national reckoning with its role in the slave trade European merchants deported an estimated 1.5 million enslaved people from the Bight of Benin — a region that includes present-day Benin, Togo and parts of Nigeria — to the Americas. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Beninese kings actively participated in capturing and selling enslaved people to Portuguese, French and British merchants. The former kingdoms and the communities they raided still exist today as tribal networks. Benin has long been working to reconcile with its legacy of complicity. It has openly acknowledged its role in the slave trade, a stance not shared by many other African nations that participated. In the 1990s, it hosted an international conference to examine how and where enslaved people were sold. In 1999, then-President Mathieu Kerekou apologized to African Americans during a visit to a church in Baltimore. 'Memorial tourism' Alongside this national reckoning, 'memorial tourism' around the legacy of the slave trade has become a key approach of Benin's government to attract Afro-descendants. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Memorial sites are mostly in Ouidah, one of Africa's most active slave-trading ports in the 18th and 19th centuries. They include the Slave Route, which was the path marking enslaved people's final journey to ships, and the Door of No Return, a haunting doorway that opens to the Atlantic Ocean where they left Africa, and their families, for the last time. Sinde Chekete, the head of Benin's state-run tourism agency, said these sites give Afro-descendants the opportunity to learn about and honor the struggles and resilience of their ancestors. 'It may inspire some people to say 'I want to return to Africa and choose Benin to understand this history',' Chekete said. Following her citizenship ceremony, Ciara toured the historic city, where she walked the Slave Route to the Door of No Return. 'Between emotion, reflection and heritage, I experienced a profound return to what truly matters,' she said. Ciara is best known for chart-topping hits like 'Goodies' and 'Level Up,' her dynamic choreography, and her work in fashion and philanthropy. MLB Canada Toronto & GTA Toronto Blue Jays World
News.com.au
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Olympic legend Lindsey Vonn's horror ESPYs red carpet wardrobe malfunction
Lindsey Vonn suffered a nightmare wardrobe malfunction on the red carpet ahead of an awards show. The skier attended the ESPY awards in Los Angeles, where the best athletes of the previous year were recognised for their achievements. Simone Biles scooped a prize but the event was overshadowed by an embarrassing moment on the red carpet. Vonn posed for snaps and showed off her glamorous maroon dress. She dazzled wearing heels but the leg slit in the dress made for an awkward moment. A gust of wind blew her dress up and exposed Vonn's underwear. Fortunately someone was on hand to come to her aid and covered her modesty from the onlooking photographers. Vonn later took to social to respond to the situation. 'Strong and feminine… Doesn't have to be one or the other. We can be both — just be you,' she wrote. 'And no…. I didn't skip leg day.' Vonn later changed her outfit as she appeared onstage at the award ceremony. The second look was equally as stunning, with the 40-year-old capturing the eye in a glittery, shiny silver dress. She posed for a photo with Olympic gymnast Biles. Vonn, who once dated Tiger Woods, usually attracts attention on the red carpet for all the right reasons. She turned heads in Madrid this year as she hosted the prestigious Laureus Awards. She wasn't the only one to suffer a malfunction on the red carpet. Model Brooks Nader appeared to have a nip slip when she showed up but shrugged it off with a quick readjustment. In December 2021, Nader told Fox News Digital she has been planning her red carpet looks since her childhood and that she loves 'to experiment with my personal style.' 'Sports Illustrated helped my confidence a lot,' she explained. 'You're surrounded by some of the most influential, beautiful supermodels. 'Not only do they have the recognition, but they also have beautiful hearts, and they're even more gorgeous on the inside. It's a very spirit-lifting community to be a part of. And it has certainly helped me find my place in the world as a model.' She went on to explain that with her many daring fashion choices, she has 'had so many near mishaps.'
Scottish Sun
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Embarrassed Lindsey Vonn suffers nightmare wardrobe malfunction as she accidentally bares all on red carpet
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LINDSEY VONN suffered a nightmare wardrobe malfunction on the red carpet ahead of an awards show. The skier attended the ESPY awards in Los Angeles, where the best athletes of the previous year were recognised for their achievements. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Lindsey Vonn suffered a wardrobe malfunction on the red carpet Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 Someone rushed to her aid Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 Vonn did her best to protect her modesty Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 The skier appeared at the EPSY awards Credit: Getty Simone Biles scooped a prize but the event was overshadowed by an embarrassing moment on the red carpet. Vonn posed for snaps and showed off her glamorous maroon dress. She dazzled wearing heels but the leg slit in the dress made for an awkward moment. A gust of wind blew her dress up and exposed Vonn's underwear. Fortunately someone was on hand to come to her aid and covered her modesty from the onlooking photographers. Vonn later changed her outfit as she appeared onstage at the award ceremony. The second look was equally as stunning, with the 40-year-old capturing the eye in a glittery, shiny silver dress. She posed for a photo with Olympic gymnast Biles. Vonn, who once dated Tiger Woods, usually attracts attention n the red carpet for all the right reasons. She turned heads in Madrid this year as she hosted the prestigious Laureus Awards. Olympic champion and Tiger Woods' ex Lindsey Vonn turns heads in daring outfit while hosting prestigious sports awards
The Sun
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Embarrassed Lindsey Vonn suffers nightmare wardrobe malfunction as she accidentally bares all on red carpet
LINDSEY VONN suffered a nightmare wardrobe malfunction on the red carpet ahead of an awards show. The skier attended the ESPY awards in Los Angeles, where the best athletes of the previous year were recognised for their achievements. 5 5 Simone Biles scooped a prize but the event was overshadowed by an embarrassing moment on the red carpet. Vonn posed for snaps and showed off her glamorous maroon dress. She dazzled wearing heels but the leg slit in the dress made for an awkward moment. A gust of wind blew her dress up and exposed Vonn's underwear. Fortunately someone was on hand to come to her aid and covered her modesty from the onlooking photographers. Vonn later changed her outfit as she appeared onstage at the award ceremony. The second look was equally as stunning, with the 40-year-old capturing the eye in a glittery, shiny silver dress. She posed for a photo with Olympic gymnast Biles. Vonn, who once dated Tiger Woods, usually attracts attention n the red carpet for all the right reasons. She turned heads in Madrid this year as she hosted the prestigious Laureus Awards. Olympic champion and Tiger Woods' ex Lindsey Vonn turns heads in daring outfit while hosting prestigious sports awards 5
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Broncos CB Pat Surtain nominated for ESPY award (go vote!)
Denver Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain is up for yet another award. After winning the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024, PS2 has been nominated for one of ESPN's ESPY awards. Surtain is up for the "Best NFL Player" award. PS2 is facing tough competition as Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (last year's NFL MVP), Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (a two-time NFL MVP) and Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (last year's NFL Offensive Player of the Year) have also been nominated in that category. Broncos fans can vote for Surtain on leading up to this year's ESPYs show on July 16 (8 p.m. ET on ABC). Surtain, 25, recorded 45 tackles (one behind the line), 11 pass breakups, four interceptions (one returned 100 yards for a touchdown), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 16 games last fall (he missed one game due to injury). Going into his fifth season, PS2 is widely considered the best cornerback in the NFL. Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
