Nollywood actor Yul Edochie has publicly responded to a viral, AI-generated cartoon image featuring him and his second wife, Judy Austin, which has been making the rounds on social media. The actor took to his Instagram on January 11, 2026, to repost the animated illustration, adding a humorous caption that acknowledged his fans' creative liberties with his original photos.
Edochie's Lighthearted Take on the Viral Art
The AI artwork, which first surfaced on Facebook, depicts the couple in traditional Igbo attire. Edochie is shown wearing sunglasses, a red patterned cap, and a white tunic, while Judy Austin appears in a pink gown and headwrap. The anime-inspired style presents the pair in a playful, bonded light.
In his caption, Edochie joked about the exaggerated features, particularly focusing on the wide grin given to him in the cartoon. "I came across this one on Facebook. My fans no gree oo. See my teeth," he wrote. The actor explained that he viewed the creative edit as a reflection of his fans' affection, noting they had used artificial intelligence to reimagine his original birthday photoshoot into this cartoon version.
The Backstory and a Look at Recent Posts
The original photo that inspired the AI edit was posted by Yul Edochie at the start of the new year. In that post, he shared a picture with Judy Austin, declaring he was walking "majestically into 2026" with her while wishing his followers a happy new year.
This came just days after he celebrated Judy's birthday on December 31, 2025, with a prayer asking God to grant her more years and bless them with three children. A month prior, in November 2025, he had shared a video tribute from Judy, describing her as an amazing woman.
Netizens React with Criticism and Past References
The actor's post, intended in good humour, sparked a wave of mixed reactions from social media users. Many critics used the opportunity to reference his ongoing family controversies, particularly his estranged relationship with his first wife, May Edochie.
One user, @la_petite_voiture, suggested the post was a reaction to May's recent public appearance, commenting, "May was so beautiful yesterday, I know that's why you just posted this useless post." Another, @me_eldest, contrasted the couple's fanbase with the powerful support commanded by "Queen May."
Other comments called for the actor to mature and move on. User @pridegoesbeforefall advised, "You need to grow up... pray it won't be your portion," while @major2634562 remarked on the perceived pettiness, "Joblessness go make a matured man dey notice cartoon."
A History of Public Scrutiny
Yul Edochie, the son of veteran actor Pete Edochie, has been under intense public scrutiny since April 2022, when he announced his marriage to Judy Austin, a move that ignited widespread debate on polygamy in Nigeria. Despite the controversy and his first wife's subsequent divorce filing, he has continued to share moments from his life with Judy openly.
With a career spanning over two decades in Nollywood, along with ventures into politics and philanthropy, Edochie's latest social media activity reflects his continued resilience and presence in the public eye, even when it attracts significant criticism.
