Entertainment
Rise And Rise Of Nollywood’s ‘Fresh Faces’
It will be in order to describe them as ‘emerging actors,’ some five to seven years ago. But today, some of these talents have stepped up so well and have been blazing the trail and pulling their own strings. Here is a quick pick of some of yesterday’s ‘fresh faces’ that have become regular faces on the screen and constant visitors to several homes with their stunning movie run.
Zainab Balogun
A notable television show host and co-founder of The J-ist TV, an online entertainment web series that highlights African culture and a range of topical issues, Zainab had made steady inroads into the Nigerian motion picture scene. Blessed with beauty and brain, the native of Abeokuta in Ogun State, who attended the University of Kent in Medway where she received a Bachelor of Law degree (LLB), has appeared in several shows including BBC One’s Material Girl, a 2012 Bollywood movie Cocktail, the Charlatans by Ashley Waters and a 2011 appearance in Christopher Nolan’s film, The Dark Knight Rises.
Back on home soil, the two-time winner of the Exquisite Lady of the Year (ELOY) award for television presentation (2013/2014) has featured in a couple of critically acclaimed movies, including A Soldiers Story, the very successful, The Wedding Party, Ojukokoro, The Wedding Party 2 and The Royal Hibiscus Hotel.
The British born Nigerian actress and model turned television presenter has also featured on the credit lines of movies such as
Sylva, Kofa, Fine Wine, God Calling, Chief Daddy and Entreat.
Bisola Aiyeola
A one-time Big Brother Nigeria first runner-up and recipient of the 2018 AMVCA Trail Blazer award, Bisola Aiyeola, has been grabbing screen roles easily since she stepped up a few years ago. A singer, actress and star of Ovy and Picture Perfect and a couple of critically acclaimed short films and web series, Bisola, who participated in the 2008 edition of MTN Project Fame has remained focused on her mission to remain on the list of the industry’s recognisable faces.
Movies that have benefited from her believable performance include, Two Grannies And A Baby, Sugar Rush, Pay Day,
Gold Statue, The Bling Lagosian, This Lady Called Life, and The Becoming of Obim.
Sharon Onoja
Star of the wave-making movie by Ebony Life production, Oloture, Sharon Onoja, has been having a good and steady run as an actress. Listed by the entertainment website as a top female celebrity of 2020 and a Nollywood actress to look out for in 2021, Sharon, an indigene of Benue State and a Mass Communication graduate, started her acting career in 2013.
The star of the popular web series Skinny Girl in Transit and show host has featured in a number of television series and movies including Gidi Up, Kambili, The Whole 30 Yards, Coming From Insanity, Bling Lagosians, King of Boys, Lara, And The Beat, and Moms at War featuring Funke Akindele and Michelle Dede.
BusayoEsther Adeyeye
You probably won’t find anyone among the large audience of Yoruba movies if you ask of Busayo Esther Adeyeye. But mention Ayo Adey and fingers will point to the Lagos-born actress and product of the Psychology Department of the University of Lagos. An actress and producer of mounting credits, Ayo Adey joined the movie industry two years after she completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps Scheme. Since then, Ayo Adey has been pulling her strings, acting in and signing memorable productions.
Inspired by the acting prowess of celebrated actors like Peju Ogunmola, Angelina Jolie, and Joke Silva, Ayo Adey has signed notable productions including Alarade, Ina Abe, Oko Longe, Ojiji Oga, Ohun Ton Dan, and Olofin Tooto. Her career ambition is to make a difference in the Nigerian movie space.
Bolanle Ninalowo
Debonair and handsome Bolanle is perhaps one of the most featured of the ‘emerging actors’ of the last ten years. Hailed by the yellow press as ‘Nollywood’s bad boy’, the former banker turned actor and producer has been cutting the swath since he returned to the industry in 2014 after he took a short break to attend to ‘other issues’.
Since he returned, the producer of Rebirth has been walking in and out of location, grabbing the lead and supporting roles. Recipient of the 2018 City People Movie Award for best actor of the year ‘English’ and 2017 Best of Nollywood award for Actor in a leading role ‘English’, Nino as the actor is simply called by close friends and colleagues, has featured in critically acclaimed movies such as Road To Yesterday, 30 Years A Virgin, Iya Iyawo, Night Bus To Lagos, Coming From Insanity, A Fire in The Rain, Ratnik, Husbands of Lagos, and Picture Perfect.
Rotimi Salami
Although trained as a movie director at the New York Film Academy, Akin Salami is doing well as an actor and has been grabbing screen credits right and left. Star of well-acclaimed movies like Mentally, Omoye, Stormy Hearts, Timeless and winner of the best-supporting actor award at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA), the star of the award-winning movie Just Not Married, Salami had his break in 2007 on the set of ‘Unknown Revenge’ and later on a television series produced by Ola Razak titled Shangisha Kingdom.
He has continued to grab roles both in the movies and on television. Some of the television series and movies he has starred in include, The long-running Tinsel, Super Storey, Silent Night, About to Wed, Dear Mother, Kuti’s Career Palace, Emerald, Alan Poza, Bella’s Place, Leave My Boyfriend, 11th Hour, Papa Ajasco, and Crack in the Wall.
By: Jacob Obinna
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.’
