Entertainment
Mercy Johnson, Now Highest Paid Nollywood Actress …Earns N2m Per Movie
It seems that the marriage of Kogi State-born super actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie in 2011, has boosted her career in Nollywood months after she delivered her daughter, ‘Purity,’ which took her away from the industry for sometime, she bounced back to acting with a bang.
Not only has she been in hot demand, her fees have also gone up as producers and marketers literally queue up and beg her to feature in their movies because of her prowess in role interpretation and their belief that her face sells movies. This development has made her the highest paid Nollywood actress currently as she earns a princely N2 million per movie.
To many Nollywood watchers, this is a big surprise how Mercy Johnson who few years ago was considered an outcast by some of her senior colleagues then such as Regina Askia, Liz Benson, Eucharia Anunobi, Omotola, Genevieve etc but today she dictates the pace in the industry.
It would be recalled that Mercy Johnson was born in Lagos in 1984. She started her primary school education in Calabar where she resided with her father and later relocated to Lagos with her farther and continued her Nigerian Navy Primary School. Her secondary education was in the Nigerian Navy Secondary School Port Harcourt.
After her secondary education, she auditioned for a role in “the maid”, a movie that was to launch her into stardom. The talented actress has been mostly connected with emotionally charged roles. As witnessed in many of her films, she is an actress who is able to fit into any role ranging from action to romance.
The Nollywood screen darling has featured in many movies which include: Beyond Desire, “My Beloved Son’, ‘Look into my Eyes’, Kill the Bride,” “Painful World’, “Under Control”, “Lost to Lust”, “Sweet Mama”, Wealth Aside”, “Royal Tears”, “Genevieve”, “Strength to Strength”, “Last Kiss”, “Forest of Promises”, “Women in Power etc.
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.’