Tonto Dikeh

Tonto Charity Dikeh
Born 9 June 1985[1]
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Other names Pokolee, Tontolet
Occupation Actress, singer-songwriter

Musical career

Genres R&B, pop
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2011–present
Labels DB Records
Associated acts Kayswitch 'D Produkt', D'banj, Deevee
Website www.tontodikeh.com

Tonto Charity Dikeh, also known as Tonto Dike (born 9 June 1985), is a Nigerian actress and singer from Rivers State and is of the Ikwerre tribe. Dikeh is from a family of seven.

In 2005, she competed against other contestants on a reality TV show called The Next Movie Star; she was the first runner up. Dikeh's appearance on the show was as a means of getting closer to the "big time", she says,[2] and her start in the Nigerian movie industry came soon after.[2]

Dikeh says that after her second movie Holy Cross, more movie directors and producers were willing to cast her, and she has appeared in scores of movies since. Dikeh's role in the movie Dirty Secret has generated controversy amongst Nigerians, because the movie contains nude scenes. While some criticise her role of being untraditional and un-African, others say that Dikeh is merely being professional.[3][4]

In January 2011, Dikeh took part in a charity fashion show in Lagos with Banky W., Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and others.[5]

Tonto was known in Nollywood as a chain smoker and had started smoking since the age of 14 but she recently testified that she stopped smoking after prayers with Pastor T.B. Joshua via his Christian television station Emmanuel TV.[6]

Music career

After enjoying acting several movies, Dikeh decided to try her hand in music though she had once featured in a music video owned by Amaco investments where she and Patience Ozokwor were called to mime the song.[7] She made her debut by releasing singles 'Hi' and 'Itz Ova' feat Snypa.[8] While many lauded her effort, the songs were trailed by controversy as critics especially questioned her vocal ability. Doubts were raised on whether her decision to try her hands on music was for the best.[9][10] Nevertheless the songs enjoyed steady airplay and massive downloads. Dikeh showed she was not a quitter with the release of a new single 'Crazically fit' featuring Terry G, who was also the producer, then Jeje and then some more. On 13 June 2014, Pop star D'banj, unveiled Dikeh under the artistes with his record label DB Records' LEE family.[11]

Discography

  • Hi
  • Itz Ova
  • Crazically Fit featuring Terry G
  • Ekebe
  • Sugar Rush

Selected Filmography

  • Tea or Coffee (2006)[2]
  • Pounds and Dollars (2006)[12]
  • Missing Rib (2007)[2]
  • Final Hour (2007)[2][12]
  • Divine Grace (2007)[2]
  • 7 Graves (2007)[2]
  • Crisis in Paradise (2007)[2][12]
  • Insecurity (2007)[2][12]
  • Away Match (2007)[12]
  • Games Fools Play (2007)[12]
  • The Plain Truth (2008)[2]
  • Love my Way (2008)[12]
  • Before the Fall (2008)
  • Total Love (2008)[12]
  • Strength to Strength (2008)[12]
  • Missing Child (2009)[12]
  • Native Son (2009)[12]
  • Dangerous Beauty (2009)[12]
  • My Fantasy (2010)
  • Zara
  • Dirty Secret (2010)[3]
  • Last Mission[2]
  • Blackberry Babes Re-loaded (2012)[2][12]
  • Secret Mission
  • Rush Hour[2][12]
  • Fatal Mistake[2]
  • Family Disgrace[2]
  • Miss Maradonna[2]
  • Mortal Desire[2]
  • Criminal Widow 1&2 Then Terror of a Widow (3&4 sequel to Criminal Widow) (2013)
  • Battle of the Queens (2014)
  • Throne of war (2014)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "BIOGRAPHY". Tonto Dikeh.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 Ayinla, Dupe (22 January 2011). "Tonto Dikeh". The Nation. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Nigeria: Nollywood Splits Over Tonto Dike". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  4. ↑ "Nigerian celebrities and Tattooing". The Vanguard (Lagos, Nigeria). 6 January 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  5. ↑ "Nigerian celebrities go gaga for fashion". Timbuktu Media Group. 11 January 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  6. ↑ "TB Joshua's Prayers Ended My 14 Year Smoking Addiction – Tonto Dikeh". The Vanguard (Lagos, Nigeria). 31 August 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  7. ↑ "Tonto Dikeh life history and profile, Playing music with Patience Ozokwor". Anambra fashion week. 22 January 2012.
  8. ↑ "World Premiere Tonto Dikeh". Too Xclusive.
  9. ↑ "Charles Novia critique of Tonto Dikeh's Music". Nigerian Eye.
  10. ↑ "Tonto Dike needs to learn how to sing". Nigeria films.
  11. ↑ "D'banj Finally Unveils DB Records Lee Family". Joints Arena.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 12.9 12.10 12.11 12.12 12.13 Tonto Charity Dikeh Internet Movie Database

External links