It has been nearly a decade since Afrobeats superstar Davido released his chart-topping love anthem, “Aye.” While the music video remains one of the most memorable visuals in modern Nigerian music history, recent behind-the-scenes revelations have sparked fresh conversations online. Specifically, the lead video vixen has come forward to address a claim made by the singer regarding a supposed fallout.
The Last-Minute Switch That Created Magic
During a recent appearance on Capital Xtra, Davido shared an intriguing backstory about how the “Aye” music video came together. According to the “Unavailable” hitmaker, the female model originally booked for the lead role had to pull out at the very last minute due to strict contractual obligations tied to a beauty pageant she was contesting in.
With the production crew ready and the shoot scheduled to begin, Davido’s team was left with no choice but to improvise. Instead of calling off the shoot, they decided to cast the pageant queen’s makeup artist, who was already on set. The sudden pivot proved to be a masterstroke, as her performance became a defining element of the video’s massive success.
Davido’s Claim of a Fallout
While celebrating the happy accident that birthed the iconic music video, Davido went on to claim that the sudden fame caused a rift. He suggested that the makeup artist and the original beauty queen fell out after the video became a global sensation, implying that jealousy or professional friction arose between the two women.
Shanira Manny Sets the Record Straight
However, the makeup artist turned video vixen, identified on Instagram as Shanira Manny, has quickly debunked Davido’s narrative. Reacting to the interview clip circulating on social media, Shanira clarified that there was never any bad blood between her and her former client.
“We never fell out,” she stated simply, putting an end to rumors of a decade-long feud. Her response suggests that while the casting swap was indeed unexpected, it did not ruin the personal or professional relationship between the two women.
The nostalgia of the “Aye” era continues to resonate deeply with fans who remember when the song first dominated the airwaves:
How Fans Are Reacting
As expected, the clarification has generated a buzz across various social media platforms. While some fans defended Davido, suggesting he might have simply misremembered the details after so many years, others praised Shanira for setting the record straight without drama.
Ultimately, “Aye” remains a legendary piece of Nigerian pop culture history, and whether by design or happy coincidence, Shanira Manny’s unexpected spotlight moment will always be remembered as a classic Afrobeats fairytale.