Nollywood star Jim Iyke stirred widespread reactions on Sunday with a candid and emotional birthday tribute to fellow actress Kate Henshaw.
In an Instagram post celebrating Henshaw, Iyke recounted their early years in Nollywood, describing her as a supportive and generous figure who helped him through his struggles.
“She gave me money for food, for transport, and even shared tips to help me land auditions,” he wrote. Despite developing romantic feelings for her, Iyke said Henshaw always saw him as a younger brother.
“You knew all that time I wanted to hit that,” he added, in a post filled with nostalgia and blunt language that quickly sparked buzz online.
The actor admitted their bond eventually frayed under the pressures of fame. By the time they shared an intimate moment, he said he had become “too wild and restless” to pursue a serious relationship.
He also referenced Henshaw’s later marriage and motherhood, describing the chapter of her life as “a union that ultimately ended in praise.”
In a lighter tone, Iyke praised her timeless beauty and joked that she had “set the bar too high,” blaming her for why younger women now “do too much” trying to match her looks.
The tribute has drawn mixed reactions from fans and fellow celebrities, with many praising the honesty, while others questioned the tone and timing of the revelations.
