Genevieve Nnaji (;[1] born 3 May 1979)[2] is a Nigerian actress and singer.[3][4] She won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005, making her the first actress to win the award.[5][6][7] In 2011, she was honoured as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by the Nigerian government for her contribution to Nollywood.[8]
Early life and education
Nnaji was born in Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria but grew up in Lagos, 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 the University of Lagos where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in creative arts. While at the university, she began auditioning for acting jobs in Nollywood.[7]
Career
Nnaji started her acting career as a child actress in the then popular television soap opera Ripples at the age of 8.[9]
In 1998 at the age of 19 she was introduced into the growing Nigerian film industry with the movie "Most Wanted".[10] Her subsequent movies include Last Party, Mark of the Beast and Ijele.[9] In 2010 she starred in the award-winning film Ijé: The Journey. She has starred in over 80 Nollywood movies.[11]
Nnaji is considered to be one of the best paid actresses in Nollywood.[12][13] Due to her contributions to the Nigeria movie industry, she became the first actress to be awarded Best Actress at the 2001 City Peoples Awards, the award ceremony that previously had only recognized politicians and business conglomerates. She was also the first actress to be awarded as Best Actress by the Census Board of Nigeria in 2003.[14] In 2009, she was referred to as the Julia Roberts of Africa by Oprah Winfrey.[15][16]
In 2004 Nnaji signed a recording contract with EKB Records, a Ghanaian record label, and released her debut album One Logologo Line,[17] a mix of R&B, Hip-Hop and Urban music.[18]
In November 2015 Nnaji produced her first movie called Road to Yesterday,[19] later winning Best Movie Overall-West Africa at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
Modelling
Nnaji has featured in several commercials some of which include those of Pronto beverage and Omo detergent. In 2004 she became the "Face of Lux" in Nigeria[20] in a highly lucrative sponsorship deal.[7] In 2008 Nnaji launched the clothing line, "St. Genevieve", which donates its proceeds to charity.[6][21] In May 2010 Nnaji was appointed to be the official "Face of MUD" in Nigeria.[22][23][24][25][26]
Awards and nominations
Nnaji has received several awards and nominations for her work, 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 Africa Movie Academy Awards.[5][7]
Monaco Charity Film Festival Awards
City Peoples Awards
| Year |
Event |
Prize |
Recipient |
Result |
| 2014 |
ELOY Awards[28] |
Brand Ambassador of the Year (Etisalat) |
N/A |
Nominated |
| 2013 |
2013 THE FACE LIST AWARDS (USA) |
|
|
honoree[29] |
|
Filmography
| Year |
Film |
Role |
Notes |
| 1998 |
Most Wanted |
|
|
| 1999 |
Camouflage |
|
with Ramsey Nouah |
| 2001 |
Love Boat |
|
with Ramsey Nouah |
| Death Warrant |
|
|
| 2002 |
Valentino |
|
with Ramsey Nouah |
| Fire Dancer |
Nene |
|
| Sharon Stone |
Sharon Stone |
|
| Runs! |
Adesua |
with Gorgina Onuoha |
| Power of Love |
Juliet |
with Ramsey Nouah, Grace Amah |
| Formidable Force |
|
with Gorgina Onuoha & Hanks Anuku |
| Battle Line |
|
with Ramsey Nouah & Pete Edochie |
| 2003 |
Above Death: In God We Trust |
|
with Pete Edochie, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Ramsey Nouah & Zack Orji |
| Blood Sister |
|
with Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde & Tony Umez |
| Break Up |
|
with Ramsey Nouah |
| Butterfly |
|
with Ramsey Nouah |
| By His Grace |
|
with Tony Umez |
| Church Business |
|
with Ramsey Nouah & Segun Arinze |
| Deadly Mistake |
|
|
| Emergency Wedding |
|
with Tony Umez |
| Emotional Tears |
Helen |
|
| For Better for Worse |
|
|
| Honey |
|
with Ramsey Nouah & Pete Edochie |
| Jealous Lovers |
Chioma |
|
| Keeping Faith: Is That Love? |
|
with Richard Mofe-Damijo |
| Last Weekend |
|
with Ramsey Nouah |
| Late Marriage |
|
|
| Love |
Anita |
with Richard Mofe-Damijo & Segun Arinze |
| My only Love |
Angela |
with Ramsey Nouah |
| Not Man Enough |
|
|
| Passion & Pain |
|
with Ramsey Nouah & Desmond Elliot |
| Passions |
|
with Stella Damasus-Aboderin & Richard Mofe-Damijo |
| Player: Mr. Lover Man |
|
|
| Private Sin |
Faith |
with Stephanie Okereke, Richard Mofe-Damijo & Patience Ozokwor |
| Sharon Stone in Abuja |
Sharon Stone |
|
| Super Love |
|
with Ramsey Nouah & Pete Edochie |
| The Chosen One |
|
|
| Women Affair |
|
|
| 2004 |
Bumper to Bumper |
|
with Georgina Onuoha |
| Critical Decision |
|
with Richard Mofe-Damijo, Stephanie Okereke & Mike Ezuruonye |
| Dangerous Sister |
|
with Tony Umez & Dakore Egbuson |
| Goodbye New York |
|
with Rita Dominic |
| He Lives in Me |
|
|
| Into Temptation |
|
with Ramsey Nouah |
| My First Love |
|
with Tony Umez |
| Never Die for Love |
|
|
| Promise Me Forever |
|
with Stephanie Okereke |
| Stand by Me |
|
|
| Treasure |
|
|
| Unbreakable |
|
with Ramsey Nouah |
| We Are One |
|
with Stella Damasus-Aboderin |
| 2005 |
Darkest Night |
|
with Richard Mofe-Damijo & Segun Arinze |
| Games Women Play |
|
with Stella Damasus-Aboderin, Desmond Elliot & Zack Orji |
| Rip-Off |
|
with Ramsey Nouah |
| 2006 |
Girls Cot |
|
with Rita Dominic & Ini Edo |
| 30 Days |
Chinora Onu |
with Segun Arinze – this film received 10 nominations at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2008,
including Best Picture, Best Art Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Edit, Best Costumes and Best Sound[30] |
| 2007 |
Letters to a Stranger |
Jemima Lawal |
with Yemi Blaq, Joke Silva and Segun Arinze |
| Keep my will |
|
|
| Warrior's Heart |
|
|
|
Unfinished business |
Nkem |
|
|
Winds of glory |
Juliana |
|
| 2008 |
Beautiful Soul |
Olivia |
this film received 3 African Movie Academy Award nominations for Best Screenplay,
Best Soundtrack and Heart of Africa[31] |
| Broken Tears |
|
with Van Vicker, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal and Grace Amah |
| Critical Condition |
Ify |
|
| River of Tears |
Yvonne |
with Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Van Vicker and Grace Amah |
| My Idol |
|
|
|
Love my way |
Kayla |
|
| 2009 |
Silent Scandals |
Jessie |
with Majid Michel & Uche Jombo[32] |
| Felicima |
Felicima |
with Alex Lopez[33] |
| 2010 |
Ijé: The Journey |
Chioma Opara |
with Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Odalys García & Clem Ohameze[34] |
| Tango with me |
Lola |
with Joke Silva |
| Bursting Out |
Zara Williams |
with Majid Michel, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Omoni Oboli & Desmond Elliot[35][36] |
| Mirror Boy |
Teema |
with Osita Iheme[37] |
| 2011 |
Sacred Lies |
Isabella |
with Olu Jacobs, Desmond Elliot & Nadia Buari[38] |
| 2012 |
Weekend Getaway |
|
with Ramsey Noah, Ini Edo, Michael Okpara |
| 2013 |
Half of a Yellow Sun |
Ms. Adebayo |
with Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Onyeka Onwenu, and OC Ukeje |
| Doctor Bello |
|
with Isaiah Washington, Vivica A. Fox, Justus Esiri, and Stephanie Okereke |
| 2014 |
The Truth with Olisa |
Guest |
TV Series |
| 2015 |
Road to Yesterday |
Victoria |
with Oris Erhuero and Majid Michel |
| TBA |
Lion Heart |
|
Post production |
Discography
References
- ↑ "Pedro Pinto from CNN's 'African Voices' pronouncing Nnaji's name at 00:31 into the video". CNN. 29 March 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
- ↑ "Nollywood's finest". New Vision. Kampala, Uganda: New Vision Printing & Publishing Company Limited. 1 May 2005. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ↑ "Star Actress Genevieve Nnaji Reveals Success Secrets". Leadership. Abuja, Nigeria. 8 December 2011. Archived from the original on 21 January 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
- ↑ "Nigeria actress Genevieve ready to visit Zambia". Zambian Watchdog. 21 November 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
- 1 2 Clayton, Jonathan (3 April 2010). "Nollywood success puts Nigeria's film industry in regional spotlight". The Times Online. London, UK: Times Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- 1 2 Ezenna, Uchenna. "ELAN PERSONALITY: Genevieve Nnaji". Lagos, Nigeria: Timbuktu Media. Archived from the original on 7 June 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 "Africa's Most Famous Movie Star?". Kent, UK: Newstime Africa. 21 August 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2009.
- ↑ "6 Nollywood Stars Receive Nigerian National Honours". nollywoodmindspace.com. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
- 1 2 "MIMI Lifestyle Magazine, February 2006: Interview with Genevieve Nnaji". Retrieved 19 October 2009.
- ↑ "Future Connector: Genevieve Nnaji". CNN International. Atlanta, GA, USA: Turner Broadcasting System. 27 October 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ↑ "List of Movies by Genevieve Nnaji". Retrieved 19 October 2009.
- ↑ Mignot, Elisa (25 December 2009). "Lagos, capitale de Nollywood". Le Monde (in French). Paris, France: Éric Fottorino. p. 16. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
- ↑ "Best Paid Nollywood Actresses Revealed". Retrieved 19 October 2009.
- ↑ http://roadtoyesterday.com
- ↑ "Genevieve Nnaji: Is She The 'Julia Roberts' of Africa?". Konnectafrica.net. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
- ↑ "Genevieve Nnaji featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show". Bellanaija.com. 29 September 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
- ↑ "Genevieve at Blue Pie Productions". Retrieved 19 October 2009.
- ↑ "Genevieve: One Logologo Line". Retrieved 19 October 2009.
- ↑ https://www.bellanaija.com/2015/09/genevieve-nnaji-is-back-get-the-exclusive-scoop-on-her-new-movie-road-to-yesterday-watch-the-trailer/
- ↑ "Genevieve Nnaji & Lux advertisement". London, UK: Unilever PLC. Archived from the original on 25 June 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ↑ Wehwe, Vivien. "Charity Runway; celebrities rise up for orphans". The Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria: Vanguard Media. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- ↑ "MUD, Bellezza Cosmetics and Spa, and Genevieve Nnaji=One beautiful collaboration!". Burbank, CA, USA: Make-up Designory. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
- ↑ "Genevieve Nnaji is Face of New Make Up Line". AllAfrica.com. AllAfrica Global Media. 21 May 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
- ↑ Onyebukwa, Vivian (29 May 2010). "MUD Cosmetics berths in Nigeria". Daily Sun. Lagos, Nigeria: The Sun Publishing Limited. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
- ↑ Falode, Kehinde (13 June 2010). "Make-Up Designory (MUD) debuts in Nigeria". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria: Vintage Press Limited. Archived from the original on 16 June 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
- ↑ Onyema, Ada (5 June 2010). "Genevive becomes face of MUD". The Punch. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
- ↑ http://myafricanmoviereviews.blogspot.com/2011/05/gbam-there-you-go-genevieve-nnaji-first.html?m=1
- ↑ "Seyi Shay, Toke Makinwa, Mo'Cheddah, DJ Cuppy, Others Nominated". Pulse Nigeria. Chinedu Adiele. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ↑ http://onobello.com/queen-of-nollywood-genevieve-nnaji-selected-for-2013-face-list-awards-in-new-york/
- ↑ "List of Nominees for AMAA 2008". ScreenAfrica.com. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
- ↑ "AMAA Nominees and Winners 2009". African Movie Academy Award. Archived from the original on 5 April 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ↑ "Silent Scandals hits movie shelves soon". Vintage Press Limited. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
- ↑ "Felicima: The cripple who loves Genevieve". Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
- ↑ "Odalys García's first feature film: Ijé -The Journey". Retrieved 19 November 2009.
- ↑ Olukole, Tope (7 August 2010). "Nadia Bouari Visits Nigeria". Nigerian Tribune. Ibadan, Nigeria. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
- ↑ "Genevieve, Majid Michale sparkle in Bursting Out". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria: Vanguard Media. 23 April 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
- ↑ "Richest Nollywood Actresses". AllAfrica.com. AllAfrica Global Media. 26 September 2010. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
- ↑ Adedayo, Odulaja (11 March 2011). "Nigeria: Plate of Sacred Lies Dotted Only by Star Factor". AllAfrica.com. AllAfrica Global Media. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
External links
