Showbiz: Are celebrity relationships jinxed?

About two weeks ago, Nigerian singer Tiwatope Savage-Balogun better known as Tiwa Savage announced that she was walking out of her marriage after accusations and counter accusations of theft, adultery and disrespect between the couple. The celebrity couple had hardly celebrated their second marriage anniversary. The marriage of Uganda’s Princess Ruth Komuntale and her husband Christopher Thomas didn’t last for more than a year. Ugandan socialite Zarinah Hassan also left the father of her three sons who he accused of battering her and moved from her marital home in South Africa into the house of singer Naseeb Abdul Juma better known as Diamond. However, gossip in Tanzanian tabloids have reported that not all is well for the couple. These are among the many celebrity relationships that have failed to stand the test of time. Outside Africa, American singer Britney Spears and her childhood friend, Jason Alexander, were married for only fifty five hours. Love and showbiz always seem to be at crossroads because it is a few lucky couples like the likes of David and Victoria Beckham that have managed to keep the romance burning. But why is it that even with all the glamour, fame and fortune, celebrity relationships never tend to last? Are they jinxed? Singer Josiane Uwineza commonly known as Miss Jojo, a popular Rwandan musician says that the issue of exposure to the prying public eye doesn’t give such relationships a chance to grow. Tiwa Savage and husband Teebiilz (R). (Net photo) She says that celebrities have more people competing to have them. However, she says that there are celebrities who do commit more than the average ordinary people. Celebrity couples are like any other couples only that for them, the media always intrudes and makes matters look worse than they really are, mostly ignoring the good side. “Some celebrity couples actually survive only that when a break up happens, it is taken over by newsmakers and in the end, no one is ever judged fairly,” she says. The songstress believes that in the end, celebrities should be regarded as human beings who have a right to break up and make up just like everyone else. She however, advises that with a few guidelines and precautionary measures, celebrity relationships can last until ‘death do us apart’. “They have to be true to themselves and know how to tell the difference between a partner that loves the real you and the one that loves the public figure in you,” she says. She says that if celebrities are smart enough to make the difference between a person who appreciates their art, a fan and real love, it will also help them choose the right person. She adds that this not only applies to celebrities, but to ordinary people too because relationships are suffering as a result of people have lost the appreciation of real values- they are driven by love for money and luxurious lifestyles. Singer Fatuma Muhoza commonly known as Nina believes that the fame and tight schedules of celebrities doesn’t give them space to build stable relationships. She says that celebrities often have careers that compel them to be away from home and this tends to weaken their connection with their spouses or partners. She also points out the issue of lack of privacy which can be hard on relationships. “It’s hard for celebrities to commit because they don’t have time for other things, yet connection is important for any relationship to work out, celebrity or not,” Muhoza emphasizes. For Mike Karangwa, a popular journalist and talent judge in Kigali, managing celebrity relationships depends on someone’s character in general regardless of their status in society. “I would say that most of the celebrities invest their time in building their careers and branding themselves through different media channels and they sometimes forget to invest time in their relationships, which of course can create insecurity or even rejection from their partners,” Karangwa says. He also points out the fact that some celebrities are consumed up with pride and usually look down on their partners which can only destroy a relationship. Rotimmy Akindele a Nigerian journalist says that celebrities always find it hard to stay in happy relationships because of the spotlight that their status generates. He says that it’s not usually advisable to date celebrities because they tend to have a whole lot of monitoring agents and when a simple problem comes into the relationship, everything is blown out of proportion by the media. How have the few made it? Thomas Muyombo commonly known as Tom Close is an artiste and a happily married man. He says celebrities who find it hard to commit to relationships are not pushed by their status, but rather their character. “Celebrities are like any other human being and they also make mistakes. I have lived both kinds of lives and I know how to handle myself, I am only a celebrity when I am on stage and when I am meeting my fans but after that I am just like everyone else,” Muyombo says. He says that some celebrities let their statuses decide for them the direction their lives take, which is not a positive way to handle life. He says he has managed to make his relationship work by keeping it simple. “I am honest with my wife and she is also honest with me, the other thing is that when you marry someone who is your friend and not just because they are beautiful, it’s very easy to keep an honest working relationship. Now that I am married, I draw a clear line between my status as a celebrity and my personal life,” he says. Local rapper Gatsinzi says that you must keep dating your partner even when you are married. (File) Rapper Emery Gatsinzi commonly known as Riderman says that commitment is one of the best ways for one to be more focused and stable. “As long as you find the right person, making a real commitment is not hard. Yes, girls throw themselves at you, but one has to have principles and when it comes to serious relationships, you have to listen to your heart,” he says. He says that being a celebrity doesn’t affect his marriage because his wife already knew who he was before they got married. Gatsinzi also says that putting effort in a relationship makes it work. “I can’t say what I do exactly to keep my relationship strong, but all I can say is that I am romantic. I am a rapper but when it comes to relationships, I give it my all,” he says. He says that celebrity life tends to blind people and can easily make one lose his way. “When you get married and change your life a little bit you find out that there are some other things that are more valuable and actually sweeter than being known,” he says. editorial@newtimes.co.rw ************************************************* YOUR VOICE: Would you marry a celebrity? Praise Mutesi, Salesperson Praise Mutesi There is nothing wrong with marrying a celebrity only that personally, it comes with a minor disadvantage regarding the issue of privacy. It’s obvious that being a celebrity not only brings fame and public interest in your affairs but also in your family. My privacy and space mean a lot to me Phiona Mutesi, Customer care Agent Phiona Mutesi I wouldn’t mind getting married to a celebrity as long as we love each other, and our characters are a match. Despite the fact that celebrities live an open life with almost no privacy, some have a good life outside their fame and can make good spouses. What’s more important is love. Remy Mugabo, Artist Remy Mugabo I don’t see any reason that would stop me or anybody for that case from marrying a celebrity if it is based on true love. I can’t say it’s easy to adapt to the life that celebrities live, but with love and understanding, you can make most out of it. Ronald Athanase, Sales Executive Ronald Athanase I believe a good spouse is not made by his or her career or social status but rather their character or personality. I would focus more on that person’s character because it is more attractive than his or her fame when it comes to building a family Compiled by Dennis Agaba

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Showbiz: Are celebrity relationships jinxed?