Nollywood star Annie Macaulay has publicly reinforced her post-divorce identity, expressing clear displeasure when addressed by her former married name. The actress, formerly known as Annie Idibia during her marriage to music icon Innocent "2Baba" Idibia, found herself at the centre of a subtle but significant social moment that has captivated fans online.
Club's LED Sign Sparks Subtle But Firm Reaction
The incident unfolded when Annie visited a nightclub where the venue welcomed her with a personalised LED bottle-service sign. The digital display, however, used the surname "Idibia," linking her directly to her ex-husband. The mother of two captured the moment and shared it with her followers on her Instagram stories, appending a simple but telling reaction: "Hmmm."
This brief expression was widely interpreted by netizens as a clear sign of her disapproval. It underscored her desire to move forward under her maiden name, Annie Macaulay, following her separation from the afrobeats legend. The post, made on January 19, 2026, quickly became a talking point, highlighting the personal nuances of public life after a high-profile split.
A Contrasting Gesture Earns Applause
Shortly after the first post, Annie shared a follow-up story that presented a stark contrast. Another club she visited demonstrated attentiveness by addressing her correctly as "Annie Macaulay." The new LED sign, which she also shared online, explicitly used her chosen name.
The actress was visibly pleased with this respectful gesture. She applauded the establishment for its thoughtfulness, sharing the moment with her followers to highlight the positive interaction. This side-by-side comparison powerfully illustrated her current preference and sparked broader conversation about identity and respect following divorce.
Netizens Weigh In on Social Media Identity
The online reaction to Annie's posts was swift and varied. While many supported her stance, others pointed out an apparent contradiction. Several commenters noted that her Instagram username still retains "Idibia." User @blexinblair_couture questioned, "But Idibia is still on her social media username. I wonder why she hasn't removed it?" Similarly, @___banke_o remarked, "But the Idibia Dey your handle."
Other fans offered humorous or analytical takes. User @syndel_tomi suggested, "Stylishly Annie still like her Man...but I can’t just prove it." Meanwhile, @poshest_hope speculated on legal action, commenting, "Do you know Nee idibia can actually sue that club?" The discussion expanded to include comparisons with other celebrities, such as May Edochie, who has also been the subject of name-change debates.
This episode follows previous moments of speculation about Annie's marital status. Legit.ng had earlier reported that she was spotted wearing her wedding ring during an outing in South Africa, even after reverting her social media name to Annie Macaulay. These mixed signals continue to fuel public curiosity about her personal journey since the divorce.
Despite the challenges of the past year, Annie has consistently expressed gratitude. In a recent reflection, she shared photos from the AFRIMA awards and stated, "Realising I have a beautiful life, a few hiccups here & there, but overall, I’m blessed." The recent club incident, while minor, clearly touches on one of those "hiccups" as she navigates life in the public eye post-divorce.
