Singer Judith Nyambura Mwangi, commonly known as Avril, has opted to deactivate her Instagram account following a highly publicized altercation with her long-time partner and the father of her child, Jibril Blessing, also known as J Blessing.
This incident has triggered a social media storm, leaving fans and followers in a state of shock.
Avril, whose Instagram account had amassed over 2 million followers, is no longer present on the popular platform as of November 15, 2023, after a sequence of posts and deletions.
The frenzy kicked off when the songstress posted a now-deleted image revealing a bruised face, raising concerns among her fans.
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The turbulent relationship between the couple became the focal point as the image went viral, leading Avril to resurface on social media and openly admit to forgiving J Blessing.
In a heartfelt plea to the public, she urged Kenyans to show the same grace and forgiveness to her partner.
In a subsequent statement, J Blessing acknowledged the altercation, conveying his distress over the intrusion of their private life into the public sphere.
The statement disclosed that, after seven years of being together, the couple had mutually agreed to part ways amicably.
The reported physical confrontation resulted in injuries for both parties, prompting them to seek medical attention.
J Blessing clarified that one of the images posted by Avril was captured nearly a year ago during a previous altercation.
Taking responsibility for the incident, he underscored that he promptly took Avril to Aga Khan Hospital for treatment.
The announcement of the couple's split has taken the public by surprise, fueling a heated debate on social media. Fans are expressing a spectrum of emotions, ranging from sympathy to disappointment.
One possible reason why celebrities might temporarily deactivate their accounts is to manage their public image or address controversies.
Stepping back provides them with the opportunity to evaluate the situation, refrain from impulsive responses, and plan their communication strategy.
Temporarily deactivating social media can also serve as a means to escape or reduce exposure to negative comments.
