Nollywood Comedian Deacon Famous Finally Addresses Year-Long Feud with Former Best Friend Ekene Umenwa
Popular Nigerian comedian and skit maker Deacon Famous, whose real name is Udaya Awesome Chidiebere, has broken his silence regarding the ongoing feud with his former best friend, actress Ekene Umenwa. The entertainment industry has been buzzing with speculation about their relationship since the two unfollowed each other on social media platforms last year, with tensions reportedly surfacing during Deacon Famous' wedding ceremony.
The Social Media Unfollowing That Sparked Speculation
For over twelve months, fans and followers of both celebrities noticed the absence of their once-close friendship on social media. The duo, who were previously inseparable in their public interactions, suddenly stopped engaging with each other's content and removed mutual follows. This digital distancing occurred shortly after Deacon Famous' wedding celebrations, leading many to suspect a serious rift had developed between the former best friends.
Deacon Famous Shares His Side of the Story in Viral Video
In a lengthy video that has been circulating widely across various online platforms, the comedian finally addressed the situation directly. Deacon Famous made several serious allegations against Umenwa, claiming she actively frustrated his wedding preparations through vendors she had personally recommended to him. The skit maker stated emphatically that he possesses WhatsApp chat evidence to support his claims and warned that he would release this documentation if the actress publicly challenged his version of events.
The comedian explained his decision to speak out now, stating that while he had forgiven Umenwa, he felt compelled to clear the air because his wife, whom he described as completely innocent in the matter, had been dragged into the controversy. He emphasized that his primary motivation was protecting his spouse from ongoing speculation and rumors.
Allegations of Betrayal and Broken Promises
Deacon Famous detailed multiple instances where he felt betrayed by his former friend. He recounted how he had supported Umenwa during her own wedding preparations, even claiming to have covered some of her expenses and helped make her wedding go viral on social media. The comedian contrasted this support with what he described as Umenwa's lack of reciprocation when it came time for his own nuptials.
According to his account, the problems began when Umenwa allegedly spoke negatively about another person during a visit to her home, despite having publicly celebrated that same person's birthday earlier. Although Deacon Famous claims he did not participate in or spread these negative comments, rumors later circulated that he was responsible for them, forcing him to confront Umenwa about the situation.
The Failed Collaboration That Deepened the Rift
The comedian further alleged that professional disagreements contributed significantly to their falling out. He explained that he had sent Umenwa a script for a collaborative project while she was preparing for her wedding, and she requested they postpone the project until after her ceremony. However, according to Deacon Famous, the actress repeatedly postponed the project even after her wedding was completed.
The situation reached a breaking point when Deacon Famous transported thirteen people from Lagos to Asaba and lodged them in a hotel for the planned collaboration, only to have Umenwa fail to appear. He claims that her husband eventually informed him she was unavailable due to other engagements, and his subsequent calls and messages went unanswered for an extended period.
Wedding Vendor Frustrations and Final Straw
Perhaps the most damaging allegation came regarding Deacon Famous' own wedding preparations. After the two had reportedly reconciled, Umenwa offered to recommend vendors for his upcoming wedding. However, the comedian claims these vendors ended up causing significant problems, including a designer who allegedly delayed his wife's wedding dress until just one day before the ceremony.
This series of frustrations, combined with the earlier incidents, appears to have been the final straw that led to the complete breakdown of their friendship and the subsequent social media unfollowing that caught public attention.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Fallout
The release of Deacon Famous' video has sparked intense reactions across social media platforms, with fans taking sides in the controversy. Many supporters have expressed sympathy for the comedian, with comments ranging from shock at the alleged betrayal to outright condemnation of Umenwa's actions.
One Instagram user commented, "Hmmm, I am in shock. God please help us from every ungodly friends oh," while another stated, "The actress, whoever she is, was not your bestie in the first place. She was using you. So sorry, karma will visit her soon." Other fans praised Deacon Famous for his honesty, with one noting, "You could tell he's being honest," and another expressing relief that "everyone believed him because some will support the so-called actress over this."
Previous Defense of Umenwa by Deacon Famous
Interestingly, this is not the first time Deacon Famous has publicly addressed matters involving Ekene Umenwa. Previously, he had defended the actress when she faced criticism for kneeling before gospel singer Moses Bliss during her wedding ceremony. At that time, Deacon Famous explained that Umenwa was kneeling to reverence God and the grace evident in Bliss' life, not to worship the singer personally.
This previous defense makes the current allegations and public airing of grievances particularly striking, highlighting how dramatically their relationship has deteriorated over the past year.
The ongoing feud between these two Nollywood personalities continues to captivate entertainment followers across Nigeria, serving as a reminder of how personal relationships in the celebrity world can become public spectacles in the age of social media.
