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Celebrity Buzz Page 8 of 32

Celebrity news from Ghana, Africa and Hollywood — interviews, relationships, red carpets, milestones and behind-the-scenes stories.

From Zaria to an NBA title: Masai Ujiri, the Nigerian executive who built the 2019 Toronto Raptors Celebrity Buzz From Zaria to an NBA title: Masai Ujiri, the Nigerian executive who built the 2019 Toronto Raptors Masai Ujiri grew up in Zaria, Nigeria, played basketball in the United States and Europe, and became an NBA executive. As president of the Toronto Raptors, he built the team that won the 2019 NBA championship. His Giants of Africa foundation runs camps and builds courts across the continent. Seven feet four, a Congolese father and a French childhood: Victor Wembanyama, the NBA’s newest giant Celebrity Buzz Seven feet four, a Congolese father and a French childhood: Victor Wembanyama, the NBA’s newest giant Victor Wembanyama, born in France to a Congolese father and a French mother, was the first pick in the 2023 NBA draft. At around 7 foot 4, with guard skills, he was named Rookie of the Year in 2024 and won an Olympic silver medal with France. A Panenka that sent Morocco into history: Achraf Hakimi and Africa’s first World Cup semi-final Celebrity Buzz A Panenka that sent Morocco into history: Achraf Hakimi and Africa’s first World Cup semi-final Achraf Hakimi, born in Madrid to Moroccan parents, chose to play for Morocco. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, his chipped penalty knocked out Spain and helped Morocco become the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final. From Sarcelles to a 5,000-1 title: Riyad Mahrez and Leicester City’s miracle season Celebrity Buzz From Sarcelles to a 5,000-1 title: Riyad Mahrez and Leicester City’s miracle season Riyad Mahrez, the son of an Algerian father and a mother of Algerian and Moroccan heritage, grew up in Sarcelles near Paris. He was the star of Leicester City's 5,000-1 Premier League title in 2016, then won more titles with Manchester City and captained Algeria to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. A Cameroonian father, an Algerian mother and a World Cup at 19: Kylian Mbappé’s story starts in Bondy Celebrity Buzz A Cameroonian father, an Algerian mother and a World Cup at 19: Kylian Mbappé’s story starts in Bondy Kylian Mbappé grew up in Bondy, a suburb north-east of Paris, the son of a Cameroonian father and a French-Algerian mother. He won the World Cup with France at 19 in 2018, scored a hat-trick in the 2022 final and joined Real Madrid in 2024. Four Olympic golds, a knighthood and a hidden name: Mo Farah’s story from Somaliland to London Celebrity Buzz Four Olympic golds, a knighthood and a hidden name: Mo Farah’s story from Somaliland to London Mo Farah won the 5,000 and 10,000 metres at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. In 2022, he revealed that he had been brought to Britain illegally as a child under another boy's name and made to work as a domestic servant. His real name is Hussein Abdi Kahin. She fled war in South Sudan and was scouted at a London fair. Alek Wek changed what a supermodel looks like Celebrity Buzz She fled war in South Sudan and was scouted at a London fair. Alek Wek changed what a supermodel looks like Alek Wek was born in Wau, in what is now South Sudan, and fled civil war to London as a teenager. Scouted at a fair in Crystal Palace in 1995, she became one of the most influential models of the late 1990s and a voice for refugees. A diplomat’s daughter from Mogadishu became one of fashion’s first Black supermodels, then married David Bowie Celebrity Buzz A diplomat’s daughter from Mogadishu became one of fashion’s first Black supermodels, then married David Bowie Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid, born in Mogadishu in 1955, was studying in Nairobi when a photographer persuaded her to model. She became one of the defining models of the 1970s and 1980s, founded Iman Cosmetics for women of colour and was married to David Bowie until his death in 2016. From the sand mines of Batié to knocking down Tyson Fury: Francis Ngannou’s improbable journey Celebrity Buzz From the sand mines of Batié to knocking down Tyson Fury: Francis Ngannou’s improbable journey Francis Ngannou worked in sand mines in Cameroon as a boy, crossed the Sahara and the Mediterranean to reach Europe, and became UFC heavyweight champion in 2021. In 2023 he knocked down Tyson Fury in his first professional boxing match. Ballon d’Or in 1995, president of Liberia in 2018: George Weah’s two careers Celebrity Buzz Ballon d’Or in 1995, president of Liberia in 2018: George Weah’s two careers George Weah, who grew up in a Monrovia slum, became the first African to win the Ballon d'Or in 1995 while playing for AC Milan. After retiring he entered politics, and in 2018 he became president of Liberia. He lost his re-election bid in 2023.