CHADWICK BOSEMAN died yesterday and tributes for the Black Panther star have emphasized his beautiful spirit, humanity, humility, intelligence and kindness. His director Ryan Coogler, who DID NOT know he was ill, just posted an incredible tearjerking tribute that sums up how we all feel.

The tributes have poured in from friends, family, famous people and even usually cynical journalists. All say the same thing. What an extraordinarily kind and generous man. Also, a man who shielded everyone around him from his suffering. Even the director of Black Panther did not know of his leading man's Stage 3 (later Stage 4) colon cancer diagnosis. Yet, Boseman turned up for extra scenes, helped audition cast members and threw himself into action sequences. Coogler believes he was "playing the long game." He knew his time was ending but he was determined to leave a remarkable and important legacy. Read the full tribute below and try not to cry for the loss of an exception man who helped change the industry and the world around him.

RYAN COOGLER TRIBUTE: I inherited Marvel and the Russo Brothers’ casting choice of T’Challa. It is something that I will forever be grateful for.

The first time I saw Chad’s performance as T’Challa, it was in an unfinished cut of CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. I was deciding whether or not directing BLACK PANTHER was the right choice for me. I’ll never forget, sitting in an editorial suite on the Disney Lot and watching his scenes. His first with Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, then, with the South African cinema titan, John Kani as T’Challa’s father, King T’Chaka.

It was at that moment I knew I wanted to make this movie. After Scarlett’s character leaves them, Chad and John began conversing in a language I had never heard before. It sounded familiar, full of the same clicks and smacks that young black children would make in the States. The same clicks that we would often be chided for being disrespectful or improper. But, it had a musicality to it that felt ancient, powerful, and African.

I finally met Chad in person in early 2016, once I signed onto the film. He snuck past journalists that were congregated for a press junket I was doing for CREED, and met with me in the green room. We talked about our lives, my time playing football in college, and his time at Howard studying to be a director, about our collective vision for T’Challa and Wakanda.

We spoke about the irony of how his former Howard classmate Ta-Nehisi Coates was writing T’Challa’s current arc with Marvel Comics. And how Chad knew Howard student Prince Jones, who’s murder by a police officer inspired Coates’ memoir Between The World and Me.

I noticed then that Chad was an anomaly. He was calm. Assured. Constantly studying. But also kind, comforting, had the warmest laugh in the world, and eyes that seen much beyond his years, but could still sparkle like a child seeing something for the first time.

That was the first of many conversations. He was a special person. We would often speak about heritage and what it means to be African. When preparing for the film, he would ponder every decision, every choice, not just for how it would reflect on himself, but how those choices could reverberate.

“They not ready for this, what we are doing…” “This is Star Wars, this is Lord of the Rings, but for us… and bigger!” He would say this to me while we were struggling to finish a dramatic scene, stretching into double overtime. Or while he was covered in body paint, doing his own stunts. Or crashing into frigid water, and foam landing pads.

I would nod and smile, but I didn’t believe him. I had no idea if the film would work. I wasn’t sure I knew what I was doing. But I look back and realize that Chad knew something we all didn’t. He was playing the long game. All while putting in the work. And work he did.

He would come to auditions for supporting roles, which is not common for lead actors in big budget movies. He was there for several M’Baku auditions. In Winston Duke’s, he turned a chemistry read into a wrestling match. Winston broke his bracelet. In Letitia Wright’s audition for Shuri, she pierced his royal poise with her signature humor, and would bring about a smile to T’Challa’s face that was 100% Chad.

While filming the movie, we would meet at the office or at my rental home in Atlanta, to discuss lines and different ways to add depth to each scene. We talked costumes, military practices. He said to me “Wakandans have to dance during the coronations. If they just stand there with spears, what separates them from Romans?” In early drafts of the script. Eric Killmonger’s character would ask T’Challa to be buried in Wakanda. Chad challenged that and asked, what if Killmonger asked to be buried somewhere else?

Chad deeply valued his privacy, and I wasn’t privy to the details of his illness. After his family released their statement, I realized that he was living with his illness the entire time I knew him. Because he was a caretaker, a leader, and a man of faith, dignity and pride, he shielded his collaborators from his suffering.

He lived a beautiful life. And he made great art. Day after day, year after year. That was who he was. He was an epic firework display. I will tell stories about being there for some of the brilliant sparks till the end of my days. What an incredible mark he’s left for us.

I haven’t grieved a loss this acute before. I spent the last year preparing, imagining and writing words for him to say, that we weren’t destined to see. It leaves me broken knowing that I won’t be able to watch another close-up of him in the monitor again or walk up to him and ask for another take.

It hurts more to know that we can’t have another conversation, or facetime, or text message exchange. He would send vegetarian recipes and eating regimens for my family and me to follow during the pandemic. He would check in on me and my loved ones, even as he dealt with the scourge of cancer.

In African cultures we often refer to loved ones that have passed on as ancestors. Sometimes you are genetically related. Sometimes you are not. I had the privilege of directing scenes of Chad’s character, T’Challa, communicating with the ancestors of Wakanda. We were in Atlanta, in an abandoned warehouse, with bluescreens, and massive movie lights, but Chad’s performance made it feel real. I think it was because from the time that I met him, the ancestors spoke through him.

It’s no secret to me now how he was able to skillfully portray some of our most notable ones. I had no doubt that he would live on and continue to bless us with more. But it is with a heavy heart and a sense of deep gratitude to have ever been in his presence, that I have to reckon with the fact that Chad is an ancestor now.

And I know that he will watch over us, until we meet again.

Popular Ivorian singer, social media influencer, and plus-size model Eudoxie Yao has said that her relationship with Guinean musician Grand P is going very well. Eudoxie thanked people who are supporting her relationship and emphasized that physical size does not matter.

The plus-size model whose hips and bottom have been the topic of discussion across the continent said this in a post on social media platform Instagram. Grand P, real name Moussa Sandiana Kaba, was born with progeria and this has affected his physical stature.

“I’m A Proud Ashawo and I Don’t Care About What People Say” – Shugatiti

Despite his stature, the singer lives life to the fullest and on his own terms. This attitude allowed Grand P to follow his heart’s desires and have a relationship with the Ivorian bombshell.

It seems like some people have expressed their concerns over the unlikely match with some opining that the relationship is a commercial one and that one of the parties may only be in it for the money. Others have claimed that the relationship may be a marketing stunt as both Grand P and Eudoxie Yao are entertainers.

However, the two entertainers are both wealthy in their own rights. The numerous claims seem to have got to Eudoxie who took to social media to reassure everyone that they are very happy in their relationship and that the can manage without being affected by their physical difference

In another post the next day, Eudoxie playfully told Grand P to get his act together or else the marriage would not happen. Wrote Eudoxie,‌More in Home

Mon fiancé grand p tu prétends me vouloir comme Epouse mais c’est toujours toi qui embrasse tes fans sur la bouche  à cette allure mes parents risquent de refuser ce mariage … ressaisis-toi par ce que je sais que tu m’aimes.

[My fiance grand p you claim to want me as a bride but it’s always you who kisses your fans on the mouth at this pace my parents may refuse this marriage … pull yourself together because I know you love me.]

Here are more photos of the happy couple.