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Genevieve Nnaji

  • Genevieve Nnaji
© DR
Singer, Film director, Actor, Producer, Screenwriter
Principal country concerned : Column : Music, Cinema/tv

Nigerian Actress, Screenwriter, Film Director, Producer and Singer

Born: May 3, 1979 in Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria

Genevieve Nnaji started her acting career as a child actress in the then-popular television soap opera "Ripples" at the age of 8. She was also featured in several commercials, some of which included Pronto beverage and Omo detergent. In 1998, at the age of 19, she made her debut in the growing Nigerian film industry with the movie "Most Wanted."

She is known as "Victoria" for Road to Yesterday (2015), "Adaeze" for Lionheart (2018), "Chinora Onu" for 30 Days (2006), "Teema" for The Mirror Boy (2011), "Oma" for Ijele (1999).

Genny as she is fondly called started her acting career as a child actress in the then-popular television soap opera "Ripples" at the age of 8. She was also featured in several commercials, some of which included Pronto beverage and Omo detergent. In 1998, at the age of 19, she made her debut in the growing Nigerian film industry with the movie "Most Wanted." As an upcoming actress, trying to create a niche for herself, she went through various minor roles seeking for that opportunity for a breakthrough.

Her subsequent movies-"Last Party," "Mark of the Beast," and "Ijele" (which is still considered to be one of her best epic performances to date)-brought forth an icon to be loved and adored by many.

Her name became a household name and her image the desire of every young girl. In 2002, she starred in the movie Sharon Stone (2002) (V), and her fame shot beyond the shores of Nigeria to the rest of Africa and several European countries. One can say that through the buzz, Genevieve reinvented the Nigerian film Industry, introducing Nollywood to the rest of the world.

Genevieve appeals just as warmly to Kenyans, Liberians, South Africans, and Ghanaians, who avidly watch Nigerian home videos at home and abroad. Genevieve has led the market into new territories today. She took the extra step of projecting herself beyond Nigeria by having a Web site constructed back in 2003, and it was arguably the most-visited Nigerian site on the Internet. Its fame spread like wildfire, a jolly virus: 3549 hits on 355 pages in two weeks.

In recognition of her immense contribution to the Nigerian film industry, Genevieve was presented with numerous awards, some of which have been in Dublin, London, and the United States. She won best actress of the year in the 2001 City People Awards and in 2005 at the inaugural awarding of the prestigious African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

In 2004, a search for the face of Lux was embarked upon, and out of several celebrities all over Africa, Genevieve emerged with the highest votes. She graced several billboards and television stations with her enduring smile and personality. The same year, she was contracted by a Ghanaian record label to record an album ["No More", EKB Records], which got immense attention locally and in several African countries.

With several movies to her credit, and numerous fans around the world, in 2008, in a bid to give back to society, Genevieve launched her clothing line, St. Genevieve, which donates a percentage of its proceeds to charity-orphanages. In 2009, Genevieve made history by being the first Nigerian actress to be profiled on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (1986) on an episode about the most popular people around the world. Genevieve is believed to be the highest-paid and most desired actress in Nollywood today.

A desire to be in touch with her fans after being absent from the Web for about 6 years has resulted in the construction of a new site. This affords the actress the opportunity to keep in constant touch with her numerous fans the world over. The site is an interactive one. and the hits have been outstanding.

Her life personifies the saying "All things are possible if you will only believe." These words describe her: determined, focused, humble, and creative. The best years of her career are still ahead.

In 2018, she directs LIONHEART her feature debute (1st Nigerian film acquired by Netflix) ; she stars in, alongside with Nkem Owoh and Pete Edochie.

FILMOGRAPHY (as Actress)
2018 Farming / role: Tolu
2018 Lionheart / role: Adaeze
2015 Road to Yesterday / role: Victoria
2013 Half of a Yellow Sun / role: Miss Adebayo
2013 Doctor Bello
2011 Sacred Lies (Video) / role: Isabella
2011 Sacred Lies 2 (Video) / role: Isabella
2011 Sacred Lies 3 (Video) / role: Isabella
2011 Sacred Lies 4 (Video) / role: Isabella
2011 The Mirror Boy / role: Teema
2010 Bursting Out / role: Zara Williams
2010 Tango with Me / role: Lola
2010 Ijé: The Journey / role: Chioma Opara
2009 Silent Scandal (Video) / role: Jessie
2009 Silent Scandal 2 (Video) / role: Jessie
2008 Beautiful Soul (Video) / role: Olivia
2008 Beautiful Soul 2 (Video)
2008 Broken Tears (Video)
2008 Broken Tears 2 (Video)
2008 Critical Condition (Video) / role: Ify
2008 Critical Condition 2 (Video) / role: Ify
2008 Love My Way (Video) / role: Keyla
2008 Love My Way 2 (Video) / role: Keyla
2008 My Idol (Video)
2008 My Idol 2 (Video)
2008 River of Tears (Video) / role: Yvonne
2008 River of Tears 2 (Video) / role: Yvonne
2008 Sister's Love (Video)
2008 Sister's Love 2 (Video)
2008 Sister's Love 3 (Video)
2008 Sister's Love 4 (Video)
2007 Keep My Will (Video)
2007 Keep My Will 2 (Video)
2007 Letters to a Stranger / role: Jemima Lawal
2007 Unfinished Business (Video) / role: Nkem
2007 Unfinished Business 2 (Video) / role: Nkem
2007 Warrior's Heart (Video)
2007 Warrior's Heart 2 (Video)
2007 Warrior's Heart 3 (Video)
2007 Wind of Glory (Video) / role: Juliana
2007 Wind of Glory 2 (Video) / role: Juliana
2007 Wind of Glory 3 (Video) / role: Juliana
2006 Girls Cot (Video)
2006 Girls Cot 2 (Video)
2006 Girls Cot 3 (Video)
2006/II 30 Days / role: Chinora Onu
2005 Darkest Night (Video)
2005 Darkest Night 2 (Video)
2005 Games Women Play (Video)
2005 Games Women Play 2 (Video)
2005 Rip-Off (Video)
2005 Rip-Off 2 (Video)
2004 Bumper to Bumper (Video)
2004 Bumper to Bumper 2 (Video)
2004 Critical Decision (Video)
2004 Critical Decision 2 (Video)
2004 Dangerous Sisters (Video)
2004 Dangerous Sisters 2 (Video)
2004 Goodbye New York (Video)
2004 Goodbye New York 2 (Video)
2004 He Lives in Me (Video)
2004 He Lives in Me 2 (Video)
2004 Into Temptation (Video)
2004/II My First Love (Video)
2004 My First Love 2 (Video)
2004 Never Die for Love (Video)
2004 Never Die for Love 2 (Video)
2004 Promise Me Forever (Video)
2004 Promise Me Forever 2 (Video)
2004 Stand by Me (Video)
2004 Stand by Me 2 (Video)
2004 Treasure (Video)
2004 Treasure 2 (Video)
2004 Unbreakable (Video)
2004 We Are One (Video)
2004 We Are One 2 (Video)
2003 Above Death: In God We Trust (Video)
2003 Blood Sister (Video)
2003 Blood Sister 2 (Video)
2003 Break Up (Video)
2003 Break Up 2 (Video)
2003 Butterfly (Video)
2003 By His Grace (Video)
2003 Church Business (Video)
2003 Church Business 2 (Video)
2003 Deadly Mistake (Video)
2003 Emergency Wedding (Video)
2003 Emotional Tears (Video) / role: Helen
2003 Emotional Tears 2 (Video) / role: Helen
2003 For Better for Worse (Video)
2003 For Better for Worse 2 (Video)
2003 Honey (Video)
2003 Honey 2 (Video)
2003 Jealous Lovers (Video) / role: Chioma
2003 Jealous Lovers 2 (Video) / role: Chioma
2003 Last Weekend (Video)
2003 Last Weekend 2 (Video)
2003 Late Marriage (Video)
2003 Love (Video) / role: Anita
2003 My Only Love (Video) / role: Angela
2003 Not Man Enough (Video)
2003 Not Man Enough 2 (Video)
2003 Passion & Pain (Video)
2003 Passions (Video)
2003 Player: Mr. Lover Man (Video)
2003 Private Sin (Video) / role: Faith
2003 Private Sin 2 (Video)
2003 Sharon Stone in Abuja (Video)
2003 Super Love (Video)
2003 The Chosen One (Video)
2003 The Chosen One 2 (Video)
2003 Women Affair (Video)
2002 Battle Line (Video)
2002 Battle Line 2 (Video)
2002 Formidable Force (Video)
2002 Keeping Faith: Is That Love? (Video)
2002 Power of Love (Video) / role: Juliet
2002 Power of Love 2 (Video) / role: Juliet
2002 Runs! (Video) / role: Adesua
2002 Sharon Stone (Video)
2002 Sharon Stone 2 (Video)
2002 Valentino (Video)
2002 Valentino 2 (Video)
2001 Death Warrant (Video)
2001 Fire Dancer (Video) / role: Nene
2001 Fire Dancer 2 (Video) / role: Nene
2001 Love Boat (Video)
1999 Camouflage (Video)
1999 Ijele / role: Oma
1998/II Most Wanted (Video) / role: Reporter
1998 Most Wanted 2 (Video) / role: Reporter

FILMOGRAPHY (as ScreenWriter)
2015 Road to Yesterday (based on a story by Genevieve Nnaji) / (story)

FILMOGRAPHY (as Producer)
2015 Road to Yesterday (executive producer) / (producer)

FILMOGRAPHY (as Director)
2018 Lionheart

FILMOGRAPHY (as Herself)
2014 The Truth with Olisa (TV Series)
2014 The Truth About Genevieve (2014)

Other Works: TV commercial for LUX beauty soap,...

Source:
* http://genevieveofficial.com/
* www.imdb.com/name/nm2105039/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
Updated by Thierno I. Dia - December 23rd, 2018

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