Global music star Akon, born Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, is facing a deeply personal chapter.
Just days before what would have been their 29th wedding anniversary, his wife Tomeka Thiam filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
The filing, which quickly made headlines, marks the end of nearly three decades together.
Tomeka has requested joint legal custody of their 17-year-old daughter, while seeking physical custody for herself and visitation rights for Akon.
Fans around the world responded with a mix of shock and empathy. Hearing of his own heartbreak feels like watching a chapter of music history close.
Their split, after so many years, feels to fans less like celebrity gossip and more like the unravelling of a love story they thought would last forever.
Still, as Nigerians and global fans shared online, there is a sense of respect. The respect for the years they shared, for the family they built, and for the dignity with which Tomeka is handling the transition.
