Nollywood veteran Jim Iyke has found himself at the center of online backlash after posting an emotionally charged — and surprisingly raw — birthday tribute to fellow actress Kate Henshaw. What began as a nostalgic celebration quickly spiraled into a viral controversy, raising questions about boundaries, respect, and public conduct among celebrities.
In a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday, Iyke praised Henshaw’s unwavering support during his early years in Nollywood, recalling how she once gave him money for food and transportation, offered him audition advice, and helped him find his footing in the industry. Despite these gestures of kindness, Iyke admitted that he harbored unspoken romantic feelings for her.
“You knew all that time I wanted to hit that,” the actor wrote, in a blunt confession that sent shockwaves across social media. The post, riddled with explicit language and unfiltered sentiments, sparked immediate debate.
According to Iyke, while Henshaw consistently treated him as a younger brother, the dynamics between them shifted as fame crept in and egos grew. He went on to reveal that they eventually shared an intimate moment, but by that time, he had become “too wild and restless” to sustain a real relationship.
Jim also referenced Henshaw’s past marriage and motherhood, calling it “a union that ultimately ended in praise,” and took a jab at today’s beauty standards, humorously blaming Kate for raising the bar too high for young women in Nollywood.
But while some fans took the post in stride as vintage Jim Iyke — bold, brash, and brutally honest — not everyone was amused.
Actor Gideon Okeke publicly slammed Iyke, calling his message disrespectful and narcissistic. Taking to his own platform, Okeke wrote, “It’s the narcissistic effrontery for me. Such a bone head. I wonder who puts these people in check.”
He continued: “It’s this kind of rubbish behaviour that people condone, that gives other people the balls to be the actual pricks that they are… in real life. Talk anyhow in public. Tueh.”
The internet quickly picked sides, with some defending Iyke’s unapologetic storytelling and others aligning with Okeke’s criticism.
Public Reactions
@ufomma: “I actually love it. It is brilliant if you know where he is coming from.”
@countess_ewere: “Jim Iyke jokes a lot and is poetic when it comes to women. All I see is an attempt to make Kate laugh, not to disrespect her.”
@chucks_treasure: “Birthday celebrant didn’t complain. They’re obviously cool friends.”
@am_amani: “Bro wants to trend with style.”
@heyoe: “No forget say Uncle Jim dey find people come house beat them.”
As of press time, Kate Henshaw has not publicly commented on the tribute, leaving fans to interpret the true tone of Jim’s message.
Whether viewed as nostalgic honesty or reckless oversharing, one thing is clear: Jim Iyke knows how to stir the pot — and social media can’t look away.
Got thoughts on Jim Iyke’s tribute? Was it poetic or problematic? Sound off in the comments below.
