10 celebrity stories that shocked the world in 2021

The year 2021 was filled with many highs and lows for Celebville. 

We are taking a look back at some of the most shocking celebrity stories of the year. 

AKA and Nelli Tembe 

AKA's fiancée, Anele 'Nelli' Tembe, passed away in April after she fell from the 10th floor of a hotel in Cape Town. A few months earlier, the couple had announced their engagement. During a sit-down interview with news anchor Thembekile Moroto, AKA revealed what happened moments before Anele Tembe's death.

You can read more about this story below: 

1. WATCH: AKA and Nelli make their TikTok debut
2. Listen to AKA's new song for his late fiancée Nellie Tembe
3. AKA heartbroken as he remembers ex-fiancée with throwback video

Shona Ferguson's death

The sudden passing of Shona Ferguson in July shocked the nation. Shona died at the age of 47 due to COVID-19-related complications. The Botswana-born actor was married to South African actress Connie Ferguson. The power couple inspired many with their love story. They met in July 2001 and tied the knot four months later. Shona and Connie would have celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in November.

Connie and her daughters, Ali and Lesedi, celebrated their first Christmas without Shona this month. They shared pictures and videos of the actor on the day. 

ALSO READ: 'Today I’m not okay' - Connie Ferguson's first wedding anniversary without Shona

The entertainment industry lost several other stars in 2021. Shaleen Surtie-Richards, Dr Sam Phillips, Steve Kekana, MacDonald Mathunjwa, and 'Real Housewives of Johannesburg' star Naledi Willers also lost their lives this year.

Former 'Generations' actor, Menzi Ngubane, passed away in March. The 56-year-old suffered a stroke. The industry will also miss Ben Kruger, Noxolo ‘Noxee’ Maqashalala, Lindiwe Ndlovu, Luzuko Nteleko, and Nokuzola Mlengana. 

 ALSO READ: Year in Review: South Africans pay tribute to the legendary actor, Menzi Ngubane

Britney VS Spears

Pop princess Britney Spears started 2021 on a low but ended the year on a high. More than a decade after being placed under conservatorship, the '... Baby One More Time' singer finally took control of her estate. Her father, Jamie Spears, stepped down as her conservator in August. 

Britney described the conservatorship as "abusive" in court. The star is now engaged to her long term partner, Sam Asghari, and plans to release new music in the new year. 

ALSO READ: The Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears remix we never saw coming

Black Coffee and Enhle Mbali's messy divorce

Black Coffee and Enhle Mbali's divorce continued to make headlines in 2021. Enhle filed a restraining order against the DJ in April after an incident at their former marital home. 

She told the court that Black Coffee slapped her on the hand while trying to gain entry into the home. Black Coffee denied assaulting his estranged wife. The court set aside the interim protection order in May and dismissed Enhle's case. The couple made headlines again when Enhle revealed that her electricity had been cut off. Black Coffee denied it was his fault, adding that he was paying Enhle R65,000 every month. He agreed to settle the electricity bill "this time just for the sake of the kids". 

ALSO READ: Black Coffee lashes out at Enhle Mbali over electricity bill drama

Amanda du-Pont's rape ordeal

Amanda du-Pont accused Molemo ‘Jub Jub’ Maarohanye of rape. The actress shared details about their two-year relationship after distasteful comments Jub Jub made about her on 'Podcast & Chill with MacG'. Jub Jub bragged about "smashing" Amanda during the interview.

"The most painful part about all of this is that I was a virgin. And I told Jub Jub that I was a virgin and I planned to be a virgin until the day I got married," she revealed in a tearful video. Jub Jub apologised for his lewd remarks on the podcast, but denied the rape allegations. 

Adele's big music comeback 

British singer Adele almost broke the internet when she released her highly anticipated album, '30', in November. The album's lead single, 'Easy on Me', broke several records when it dropped. The song was streamed more than 24-million times in one day. Adele's album also became the first album in more than a year to make one million traditional sales in America. 

ALSO READ: #AllTheFeels: "Is she here?" Adele's emotional reunion with her teacher after 20 years

Boity assaulted

A bloody image of Boity appeared online after she was allegedly assaulted by Bujy Bikwa. Boity confirmed she was the "victim of a vicious physical assault" and opened a case against the perpetrator. 

Bujy claimed he was kicked and punched during the altercation."I was verbally abused… Furthermore, during a verbal confrontation, I was then physically assaulted, being kicked and punched, while being told that (’I’m a man, I’m a man’) I must take it," he said in a statement.  

Social media users slammed his statement saying there is no excuse for what he did. 

The Kardashian relationship shake-up 

The Kardashian family's relationships made headlines in 2021. Khloe Kardashian's now ex-boyfriend, Tristan Thompson, was accused of cheating on her again. He reportedly slept with another woman while they were still dating earlier this year. Maralee Nichols claims Tristan is the father of her child. 

Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from Kanye West in February. Despite Kanye indicating that he wants his family back, Kim has moved on with comedian Pete Davidson.  

Kourtney Kardashian also found new love in 2021. She is engaged to drummer Travis Barker. 

ALSO READ: Obsessed? Kanye West has just bought a new house, across the street from Kim Kardashian

Meghan Markle overcomes the hate

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, had yet another eventful year in 2021. She welcomed her second child with Prince Harry. Their daughter Lilibet Diana was born in June.

The couple raised a few eyebrows when they revealed shocking details about the royal family. During an interview with Oprah Winfrey,  Meghan recalled that there were "concerns" about what colour their son Archie would be when he was born. 

Despite continuous hate from across the pond, the royal family's new life in America is going great. Harry and Meghan made the 2021 TIME100 list. They also continue to contribute to charities in both America and England. 

ALSO READ: WATCH: Keri Miller is in shock after watching THAT Meghan Markle interview

Anele Mdoda VS Kelly Rowland

Did Kelly Rowland shade Anele Mdoda in 2021? That was the question on everyone's mind when Kelly posted a picture of herself wearing the exact same swimsuit as Anele. 

Many Twitter users believe that Kelly is well aware of comments Anele made about her looks in a 2019 tweet. Anele said in the tweet that Kelly was not the most beautiful-looking Destiny's Child member. Scores of tweeps tagged Kelly in social media posts about the drama.

Fast-forward to 2021, and social media users think it is no coincidence that Kelly wore the same swimsuit a few weeks after Anele shared pictures of herself in the exact same one. 

ALSO READ: Kelly Rowland praises SA visual artist Nelson Makamo

ALSO READ:PHOTOS: Trevor Noah and Minka Kelly vacation in South Africa

Main image courtesy of Instagram/@ferguson_films, @akaworldwide, @sussexroyal