After Angel moved to the US in 2025, the pair had already registered their union at a Texas civil registry in January 2026.
In a private ceremony in the US, former Big Brother Naija contestant Angel Smith, also referred to as Angel, married her female girlfriend, Tumininu.
When she posted pictures and videos from their wedding party on social media on Saturday, the reality TV actress and writer confirmed the development. This was the pinnacle of a relationship that had garnered a lot of attention from the public in recent months.
According to reports, after Angel moved to the US in 2025, the pair formally registered their union at a Texas civil registry in January 2026.
At the time, there was a lot of conjecture on the internet due to a viral video that showed the couple showing matching rings and what looked to be a marriage license. Angel did not, however, confirm the development right away.
A close group of friends and associates are expected to attend Saturday’s ceremony, which is perceived as a celebratory event following the legal union.
Wedding with an all-black motif
Angel shared an invitation card with the hashtag #TumisAngel2026 on Snapchat in the weeks preceding the event.
The invitation asked visitors to “wear black to celebrate in style” and stipulated an all-black dress code.
Online videos show the couple dressed in matching formal attire, with Tumininu wearing a fitted suit and Angel switching between black-themed clothing and bridal-inspired looks at different points during the occasion.
Other recordings showed moments from the small celebration, automobile excursions with guests, and pre-wedding preparations.
Timeline of a relationship
As a finalist on Big Brother Naija: Shine Ya Eye in 2021, Angel gained notoriety. She later made a comeback for the All Stars season in 2023. The Akwa Ibom native has established a career as a writer, influencer, and developer of digital content since leaving the show.
In late 2025, her connection with Tumininu came to light when they started posting loving messages on social media.
Interestingly, Angel and another reality TV star Soma Anyama had a well-publicized romance before to this.
Due to its stormy nature—which included social media conflicts and a well reported split in early 2024—the romance, which started about 2023, garnered media attention.
Reactions to the wedding are mixed.
Social media users’ reactions to the news of the wedding have been widely disparate.
While many admirers and supporters commended the couple’s candor and congratulated them, others voiced condemnation based on cultural and religious beliefs.
The union, which merely brought up social discussions on same-sex partnerships involving Nigerian public figures, was questioned by several online users.
The fact that Tumininu was dressed as the groom during the marriage ceremony was one of the main issues brought up.
However, Angel continued to share joyous moments from the occasion, seemingly unaffected by the criticism. Prior to the wedding, she had addressed critics, brushing off their remarks and asking whether they were attendees.
In contrast to Angel, who has a sizable social media following and a strong public presence, Tumininu is thought to lead a more reclusive existence; no verifiable public profiles have been found.
Her exposure has mostly been restricted to wedding-related content and appearances in Angel’s blogs.
Legal and cultural background
Following the passage of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act in 2014, which makes same-sex partnerships and related public expressions illegal in Nigeria, same-sex marriages are not recognized under Nigerian law.
But in places like the United States, where the couple’s union took place, the law is not applicable.
As of the time this report was filed, pictures and videos from the event were still making the rounds on social media, keeping the narrative at the forefront of internet discussions in Nigeria and elsewhere.
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