Taking the stage alongside Farooq Oreagba, the celebrated “King of Steeze” from the 2024 Ojude Oba Festival, Macaulay introduced herself by her maiden name, signaling her new status.
Macaulay, a mother of two, was invited to present the award for Best Afrobeats Singer. While introducing herself, she initially stumbled, beginning to say “Idibia” before quickly correcting herself to “Macaulay” — a move that sparked lively reactions both at the venue and across social media.
"My name is Annie Idi—oh sorry, Annie Macaulay. Hey, single ladies!" she declared, drawing loud cheers from the audience at the Landmark Event Centre, Lekki.
The ceremony, themed "Back to Base," marked the return of the Headies to Nigeria after two years abroad and was hosted by Nollywood actress and media personality Nancy Isime.
A Controversial Split
Annie’s announcement came after months of speculation following 2Baba’s Instagram confirmation in January 2025 that their 12-year marriage had ended. The 49-year-old singer simultaneously revealed a new relationship with Edo State lawmaker, Natasha Osawaru.
Sixteen days later, 2Baba proposed to Osawaru, unveiling her as his fiancée on the eve of Valentine’s Day. Recently, he introduced her to his mother, Mrs. Rose Idibia, fuelling further rumors of an impending wedding.
This development follows a tumultuous period earlier this year when 2Baba was briefly declared missing. In February, his family petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) after he disappeared on February 10. He later reappeared in a now-viral video, reunited with family members, including Natasha Osawaru — suggesting that Mrs. Idibia had eventually accepted their relationship.
This acceptance marked a significant shift from earlier in the year, when Mrs. Idibia had publicly urged Natasha to leave her son alone, alleging he was not of sound mind and claiming symbolic beads worn by 2Baba were troubling signs. Natasha defended the beads, asserting they represented her family's royalty.
Since then, Natasha has updated her Instagram bio to include "Idibia," sparking speculation that she and 2Baba may have held a private traditional ceremony.
Annie's New Chapter
Meanwhile, Annie Macaulay has shifted focus to personal growth and professional pursuits.
In March, after a brief social media hiatus, she returned with a clean slate — deleting old posts and updating her Instagram handle to Annie Uwana Macaulay, dropping the 'Idibia' name.
During a BBC Pidgin interview on the Headies red carpet, the 40-year-old actress and model spoke about her current priorities: her children and upcoming media projects, including the launch of her own platform, Annie Macaulay TV.
A Relationship Spanning Decades
Annie and 2Baba’s relationship began in 1999, blossoming from friendship into romance. Annie gained national attention in 2004 when she starred in 2Baba’s classic African Queen music video.
The couple welcomed their first daughter, Isabella, in 2008. In 2012, 2Baba proposed on Valentine’s Day, leading to a private wedding later that year and a grand white wedding in Dubai on March 23, 2013. They welcomed their second daughter, Olivia, in 2014.
Despite public adoration, their marriage faced challenges, particularly due to 2Baba’s past relationship with Pero Adeniyi, with whom he shares three children. Nevertheless, they renewed their vows in 2022 to mark their 10th anniversary.
However, tensions resurfaced, culminating in their separation earlier this year. As Annie embraces a new chapter and 2Baba moves forward with his relationship with Natasha, their lives continue to capture public fascination.