Comedian and Nollywood heavyweight Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, has set social media ablaze with a glowing tribute to his sister-in-law, Joy, on her birthday, calling her a “rare gem” and igniting a wave of admiration across Nigeria’s digital landscape. The heartfelt post, dripping with familial warmth, has fans buzzing about the Makun clan’s tight-knit bond and Joy’s understated influence.
The celebration kicked off early Saturday when AY, 54, took to Instagram to honor Joy, the sister of his wife, Mabel Makun. In a post that’s racked up over 250,000 likes by 7:52 PM WAT, the 30 Days in Atlanta star shared a radiant photo of Joy, captioning it: “Women like you are rare. Your strength, grace, and love light up our family. Happy birthday, my dearest sister-in-law, Joy! May God bless you with long life and prosperity.” The message, paired with a montage of Joy at family events, highlighted her role as a pillar behind the scenes, from supporting Mabel’s fashion ventures to cheering AY’s sold-out comedy shows.
Joy, a low-key figure compared to AY’s spotlight, is no stranger to the Makun inner circle’s glow. Described by Mabel in a follow-up post as “my rock and confidante,” Joy’s birthday has become a trending topic, with the hashtag #JoyTheRareGem climbing X’s charts. Fans flooded AY’s comments with praise: “This is how you celebrate family! Joy must be a queen,” wrote one user, while another quipped, “AY, you no dey ever miss with love o – Joy, we stan!” Celeb pals like Basketmouth and Kate Henshaw joined the party, with Henshaw dubbing Joy “a blessing to know.”
The tribute comes amid AY’s banner year – his latest film, The Waiter, just crossed ₦500 million at the box office, and his comedy tour packed arenas from Lagos to London. Yet, the comedian’s knack for balancing fame with family values shines through, especially after last year’s public divorce rumors with Mabel, which the couple quashed with PDA-packed posts. Sources close to the Makuns tell Naija Buzz that Joy played a “quiet but mighty” role in keeping the family grounded during the storm, earning her AY’s public props.
Not everyone’s just blowing balloons, though. A few X users tossed shade, with one snarking, “Rare gem or just another family PR stunt?” – a nod to AY’s knack for viral moments. But the love outweighs the cynicism, with Joy herself responding humbly: “Thank you, AY, for the love. I’m just me, blessed to have family like you.” Her reply, liked by 50,000 fans, included a prayer for “more years to serve and shine.”
As the birthday buzz hits 1 million views, it’s clear Joy’s day has sparked more than cake and candles – it’s a reminder of family as the ultimate flex in Naija’s fast-paced fame game. Will Joy step into the spotlight, or keep ruling from the wings? Either way, AY’s made one thing clear: In the Makun dynasty, love’s the loudest laugh track. Happy birthday, Joy – Nigeria’s watching your glow-up. Stay tuned for more.