Entertainment
Intimidating Profile Of Genevieve Nnaji, Africa’s Most Revered Actress
Genevieve Nnaji has
frequently been hailed as Africa’s own answer to the likes of Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon and the rest of Feminine Hollywood Stars, this is according to Forbes who has ranked her as number 19 of the 40 most powerful celebrities in Africa.
She started out in her acting career over 24 years ago at the age of 8 playing a supporting role in a Nigerian TV series. Today she is arguably Africa’s most revered actress and the poster girl in Nollywood, Nigeria’s burgeoning movie industry. She has featured in over 80 successful blockbuster movies.
Genevieve Nnaji was born in Mbaise, Imo State Nigeria, but grew up in Lagos. She is the fourth of eight children and was brought up in a middle class environment. Her father worked as an engineer and her mother as a nursery teacher.
She attended Methodist Girls College Yaba Lagos before transferring into University Lagos, while, at the University, Genevieve began auditioning for acting jobs amongst the many Nollywood projects. She started her acting career as a child actress at the age of 8 in the then popular television soap opera, ‘RIPPLES.’
In 1998, at the age of 19, she was introduced into the growing Nigerian film industry with the movie “MOST WANTED.’ Her subsequent movies include “LAST PARTY,” “MARK OF THE BEAST” and “IJELE,” in 2010, she starred in the award winning film “IJE,” the journey, Gene as she is popularly called by fans and admirers is considered to be one of the best paid actress in Nollywood.
In 2004, she signed a recording contract with EKB Records, a Ghanaian record bale and released her debut album one Logologo line, a mix of R&B, Hip-Hop and urban music Nnaji has featured in several commercials some of which include pronto beverage and Omo detergent. In 2004, she became the “Face of Lux” in Nigeria in a highly lucrative sponsorship deal. Also 2008 said Nnaji launching a clothing lines St Genevieve which donates its proceeds to charity.
In May 2010, Nnaji was appointed to be the official face of MUD in Nigeria, in June 2012, she was unveiled as the brand ambassador of Range Rover Evogue. Genevieve has received several awards and nominations for her works, including the best actress of the year award at the 2001 city people awards and the best actress in a leading role award at the 2005 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
The super Nollywood actress has also sealed a corporate deal with Amstel Malta as ambassador, alongside international football star Michel Obi. She is also one of the ambassadors of Airtle, a deal that fetched her multi millions of naira.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’