Nollywood comes to Kenya

As part of the events marking the Nigeria Democracy Day celebration come May 29th, 2011; which incidentally is the inauguration ceremony for the winners of last April general elections in Nigeria.

The Nigeria high commission in Kenya in collaboration with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council is bringing the creme de la creme of Nollywood to Nairobi to celebrate with Kenyans and to give them opportunity to wine and dine with their favourite Nollywood Celebrity.

The ‘Nollywood Road Show’ is part of the week long activities that starts on the 25th – 31st of May 2011 will include workshops, seminars, presentation and other interactive sessions.

The ‘A’ list expected from Nollywood includes- Ini Edo, Nkem Owoh, Uche Jombo, Ramsey Nouah; others are 2Face Idibia, Mama G (Patience Ozokwor), Desmond Elliot, etc.

All Nollywood lovers in Nairobi and indeed Kenya are implored to come out en-mass and enjoy the best of Nollywood in Nairobi.

Mercy Johnson weds Prince Odi Okojie

Nollywood’s Mercy Johnson is ready to walk down the aisles with her millionaire heartthrob – Edo State-born Prince Odi Okojie.

The Nollywood celebrity long awaited wedding is billed to happen between August 25th and 27th. The court wedding would take place at the Ikoyi Registry on August 25 while traditional wedding would take place on 26 and the white wedding on 27th August at Christ Embassy Church in Oregun, Lagos.

Nollywood WATCH wishes Miss Johnson a wonderful wedding and a blissful future together.

Stella Damasus Arts Foundation (SDAF) kicks-off

The first set of applicants that scaled the keenly contested audition stages of the Stella Damasus Arts Foundation (SDAF), are expected to begin a free three-month training next week. The 43 students, who were selected based on their audition performance, will receive intensive training from volunteer professionals in drama, singing and fine arts.

In a bid to give back to the society and help Nigerian youths discover their potential, actress Stella, under the auspices of SDAF, had held a three-day audition at Zamunda, Ologun Agbaje Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to the multiple award-winning actress, the free programme will train and equip young people in various areas of arts, ensuring that at the end of the training, participants will have better exposure and opportunity to become professionals in their chosen fields.

The free creative arts audition was open to young people of between the ages of 16 and 30 years and from all walks of life, regardless of their educational background.

SOURCE – Vanguard.

Why celebrity marriages crash – Folake Shadare

Folake Shadare is by no means an unknown face in the Nigerian movie industry. A former beauty queen, an actress of note and producer, she started acting in 2005 and stayed on the screen for four years before she travelled abroad with her man. Now back to the country after her sojourn in the United Kingdom, she’s set up a Film Academy where she hopes to train young and aspiring actors and actresses. She recounts her success story in the industry.

You started out as a model before you veered into acting

Yes. I was once a beauty queen and I have five crowns to my credit. I succeeded Kate Henshaw as Miss Lagos State and went ahead to win Miss La-Tropicana and Miss Vicina. When I got married, I needed the break to have my babies. If you say your entry into the movie industry was an accident, does it mean you didn’t plan to go into acting in the first place?

Oh yes, I studied History and International Relations, at the Lagos State University. But meeting a friend Bukky Wright, in a boutique changed my career plan. Our chance meeting and my decision to follow her to a movie location got me my first role. The movie KKK, produced in 2005 was my first.

You’ve been off the scene for sometime, what happened?

I took a break to attend to my family. But I’m coming back to the industry very soon. You know when you are newly married, you need time to nurture your marriage. That’s what I did. I travelled out of the country with my husband in 2007.

And since you return . . . ?
I shot a film titled “Oluwajomiloju” where I featured popular fuji musician, Pasuma Wonder and Hip-Hop act, 9ice. I had the feeling that having Pasuma and 9ice on the same set would help boost the film.
I also shot another film titled “Ile ka si wo” (What do we do) and the film is receiving finishing touches.
At the moment, I’m planning to set up a Film Academy, with the support of my husband. We hope to train young and aspiring actors and actresses when the academy kicks off.

Omoge Campus was one of your most challenging movie roles, how were able to excel?
Omoge Campus was not the film that launched me into mainstream movie worlds. It was “City Girls” where I acted about two scenes and three sequences in the movie. That was the movie that brought me into the limelight.
Most actresses dictate what roles they play in movies. Are you one of them?

Before I got married, I used to feature in any movie. But after marriage, I started selecting the roles I play in movies. As a married woman, you are expected to be decent in your lifestyle.
What would say stands’ you out among your contemporaries?

Folake Shadare is Folake Shadare. I will never be Ronke Oshodi either will I be Funke Akindele. I remain myself.

After eight years, in the industry what would say has been your driving force?
I’m a very humble person; I humble myself a lot. And that’s why most producers always want to get me on their sets. Nothing moves me and I’m amenable to any situation while on location.
People talk about the ill-treatment, harassment and all that in the industry…
I am not aware of such things happening in the industry. When I came into the industry, I maintained a status quo. I’m scandal free.

Should there be disparity between the Yoruba and the English movie industry?
I don’t really understand the discrimination that goes on in the industry. There were a couple of times, I’d wanted to star in English films. I went for auditions but I was not given a role. The English sector has this rigid decision of featuring faces that are familiar to them. Yes, the industry is one, but I don’t see it as one. This is because, the English sector is refusing to be part of us, just as we are part of them. Most Yoruba producers star actors and actresses from the English sector but they rarely star us in their on own films.

How’s marriage?

Marriage is fine because I married my best friend and he’s everything to me. I met him through one of my friends and the rest is history. My dream is to become successful in life.

What could you attribute for being responsible for crash in marriages of celebrities?
I don’t really know, but I think everything depends on luck. Everything depends on luck. Some of the celebrities whose marriages crashed were not only unlucky, but they probably married another person’s husband.

SOURCE – Vanguard Entertainment

AMAA Actress of the Year [2010] Lydia Forson speaks

The ‘Three Virgins’ star and AMAA Actress of the Year (2010), Lydia Forson speaks to Samuel Olatunji of the Sun at her Accra Home in Ghana. Read more

Geneviève et Dbanj tomber en amour?

The release of the video ‘Fall in Love’ by the Mo Hits crew strong man, Dapo Oyebanji (D’Banj), where the singer was seen kissing and necking popular actress, Genevieve Nnaji, Read more

Taiwo Ajai-Lycett is 70

Ms.Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, turned 70 on February 3.The arts community gathered round to celebrate the 70th birthday of the ageless actress, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, at an event held at Tribeca, Lagos, on Sunday, February 13. Read more

Eucharia Anunobi needs a Man

Eucharia Anunobi, needs no introduction.She is one of the fore-bearers of Nollywood. She has seen it all, as it is said ” She’s seen it, been there and done it. She recently bared her heart to TOPE OLUKOLE of Tribune.

Read more

Chinedu Ikedieze a.k.a Aki honoured with MFR

Chinedu Ikedieze a.k.a Aki last thursday 22nd July, 2010 was amongst the creme-de-la-creme of the Nigeria achivers honoured by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Chinedu Ikedieze a.k.a Aki bagged the National Honour of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR).

We at Nollywood WATCH are saying a very big Congratulations to our dear Aki for a well deserved honour.

We wish him the best and many more successfully outings in Nollywood.

Empress Njamah – men fight over my body

Three things are bound to endear you to Empress Njamah, even though you hold negative opinion about her lifestyle. They are her friendliness, intelligence and boldness to discuss issues affecting her personality as well as her acting career.

These qualities last Monday were at play, as Empress Read more

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