Ever since she began her career in the Yoruba movie industry,she has made more headlines than some of her older and contemporary colleagues.Born Mercy Aigbe to Edo parents,this beautiful lady and mother of one,has been at no one's mercy.Rather,many producers are at her mercy for she can't just be wished away in the Nigerian movie industry.Her selling point is the talent God has given her.Aside this,her humility also contributes to her selling point.
She got her break from Wemimo Films in Ibadan,and it was through one of the movies they produced then.She got help from people like Uncle Yinka Quadri and several others.Many have attributed her sudden rise in the industry to her ability to 'roll with those that matter.'Instead of losing sleep over such weighty remark,Mercy simply accepted the insinuations as her price for being in Nollywood.Imbued with sound intelligence,a result of her stint with soap operas and her study at the University of Lagos,where she read creative arts.
She studied creative arts at the University of Lagos simply because of her love for the arts.Before then she had an OND in accountancy from The Polytechnic,Ibadan.She joined the movie industry in 2005,and started acting in 2006.She started with soap operas like Super Story,Images and Treasures,she later Yoruba flicks.Her first Yoruba flick was Sebeyan Ni, but got her break after acting in the flick known as Ara.She has featured in close to 80 films and also been able to produce her own flick and it is entitled Abimbola.
It hasn't been easy for her as a single mother but thank God.She is having a wonderful time bringing up her child.Although she agree that at the time she became a single mother,she was badly traumatised.In fact,the most traumatising period for her her was when she parted ways with the father of her child. It was so upsetting for her because she went into the marriage with naivety, but came out as a single mother,.Her relationship with the father of her child is cordial but no room for reunion,they are just friends.Aside that,she is in a relationship with another man at the moment, and my daughter has taken so much to my fiance that she calls him 'daddy'.It's challenging enough that she is in the public eyes and he is private person, but,she simply want to do as he wishes and keep him away from the public.
She is enjoying her current status,but the challenge comes mostly from what people choose to believe about actresses from what they read.Another thing is that she doesn't go unnoticed;she doesn't have her privacy anymore,but in all,it's what she prayed and worked hard for and it has come to reality.
With Nollywood becoming more and more like America's Hollywood,the true colours of Nigeria's leading actresses are being regularly revealed.Some of these actresses actually came into the limelight through their bad or good movie roles, while others through scandals and controversies.
STELLA DAMASUS
She is natural and real whenever it is time to give life to movie scripts.Stella Damasus has a charismatic mystique around her that has made her the darling of numerous fans.This sexy screen diva obviously leads Nigeria’s best young actresss. Apart from that,Stella is well schooled - a Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Benin – and acting is an in-born thing for her.
CLARION CHUKWURA
The University of Ibadan-trained star actress is actually one of the first generation of Nollywood thespians.Clarion Chukwura’s acting prowess in the English and Yoruba genres of the Nigerian movie industry give her an edge in the industry. Clarion is also natural and can play ‘bitchy’ roles perfectly well.
MERCY JOHNSON
She has been in the industry for quite some time.The pretty, ebony complexioned actress is a pick among the pack of Nigeria’s hottest actresses at the moment.Apart from the media hype,Mercy Johnson is well endowed in the right places,blessed with acting skills, natural on movie set and her good delivery of lines is another quality that has earned her respect among her peers.
RONKE OJO
Her heavy twin-towers, which have become part of her identity, are what actually fetched her the sobriquet Oshodi Oke. The tall and fair complexioned Yoruba star actress has no rival in the trade. Ronke Ojo’s acting prowess, rare sense of honour and ability to switch between roles in movies are qualities that separate her from the rest. Although Ronke Oshodi Oke, as she is fondly called, sometimes talks very fast when she is acting, there is always strength in her voice.
MERCY AIGBE
Although Mercy Aigbe is quite new in the industry, her acting prowess coupled with her seductive looks are qualities that set the Creative Arts graduate on the fastest lane to fame. And today she is one of the hottest Yoruba star actresses. Mercy is also good, real and natural on set.
JOKE SILVA
She is exceptionally talented, an icon and role model to many rising star actresses. Joke Silva’s diction is excellent, her carriage and fitness unrivaled in the industry and she has won several awards both at home and abroad. Even at her age, the dark complexioned wife of veteran Nollywood actor Olu Jacobs still radiates charm and beauty and has never lost her brain whenever it is time to interpret her roles in movies.
EUCHARIA ANUNOBI
She is obviously among the fading movie stars but this list would be incomplete without Nigeria’s own Sharon Stone. Eucharia Anunobi, the sexy, tall and fair complexioned evergreen actress has over the years maintained her reign as one of queens of the tube. Nobody plays those ‘bitchy’ roles better than UK, as friends and fans fondly call her.
IRETI OSAYEMI
Despite the fact that she was brought up in Liberia, with little understanding of Yoruba language, how Ireti Osayemi has been getting lead roles in many Yoruba flicks remains a puzzle. The now chubby-cheeked screen beauty actually sneaked into the industry through the English genre of the Nigerian home videos, but the popular TV drama series, “Super Story” shot her into limelight. Ever since the bold and blunt Ireti pitched her tent with the Yoruba movie industry, the sky seems to be her limit, as she has been featured on covers of movie jackets than any of her colleagues she met in the industry. This actress could be naughty in real life, which has never over-shadowed her humility. She is a natural interpreter of roles.
GRACE AMAH
Forget her small stature and petite look; what the upwardly mobile actress who recently graduated from the Creative Arts Department of the University of Lagos has upstairs makes up for what she lacks in size. Grace Amah could be rated among the younger faces of Nollywood, but she remains one of the most prominent pretty faces in Nigerian home videos. She has featured in quite a number of soap operas and box office hits. Aside natural beauty, which she combines with brain, Grace is also natural while interpreting scripts..
OBY EDOZIEH
This is another screen diva known for seductive roles and scandalous dresses in home video. Oby Edozieh has been around for a while, and despite her occasional appearances in movies nowadays, her excellent performance in some of her previous movies is one of the reasons why the mutterings about her acting skill continued to grow. This actress has also acted in a couple of Yoruba films, which she performed brilliantly.
INI EDO
She actually sneaked into the movie industry when the movie marketers slammed a ban on famous faces like Omotola, Genevieve and Rita Dominic few years back. Even with the return of these actresses, Ini Edo has continued to rise in the movie circuit. Although some people did not vote Ini as one of the very best, her strength lies in her sensuous moves in movies and a body to die for; which are reasons men cannot get their eyes off her and why she is the choice for most of the movie posters and jackets.
BUKKY WRIGHT
She is a very good actress, a beauty with brain that always loves to express herself whenever she hits the movie set to interpret her roles. Bukky Wright is very vocal, natural and she has the ability to maneuvre her way into both the Yoruba and English genre of the Nollywood industry with her acting prowess.
SHOLA SHOBOWALE
Many fondly call her ‘Toyin Tomato but this ageless actress has shown over the years that there is a difference between acting and in-born actress. Shola Shobowale has acted across all ages and featured in quite a number of Yoruba and English home videos. Apart from being a rare breed actress, she is very natural on screen.
LIZ BENSON
Ranking her among the faded star actresses,one may not be wrong but ever since this actress turned evangelist and quit the movie scene, her name never fails to grace the lips of home video followers, who have described the disappearance of the ageless screen diva as a big loss to the industry. Liz Benson is undoubtedly a knockout when it comes to character interpretation. She is real and dynamic.
FATHIA BALOGUN
Her troubled marriage to star actor Saheed Balogun has not stopped her numerous fans from appreciating her acting skill. Fathia Balogun’s beautiful look, good skin complexion and acting prowess explain the reason the star Yoruba actress is being admired by men and adored by women. And why some critics believe that she is not natural on movie set is best known to them.
ALEX LOPEZ
How the model cum actress known for sensuous moves in home videos is able to maintain respect among her peers and numerous fans may not be far-fetched.. Alex Lopez’s versatility and how she normally breathes life into her characters in home videos stand her out. Although it is not in doubt that she is one of the fading Nollywood star actresses.
EMPRESS NJAMAH
Apart from the allegation of being kleptomaniac, which always puts her in the news, Empress Njamah is a born actress, sexy and real on set. Despite her great acting skill, most home video lovers are still wondering why Empress is not enjoying prominence like her contemporaries in the Nollywood industry.
JENNIFER ELIOGU
You may rank her among the fading movie star actresses, but the frontally endowed actress still maintains her position among Nollywood evergreen star actresses. Though Jennifer Eliogu is not too dynamic with her style of acting, her full lips and good understanding of movie scripts may probably be the reason she is being voted among the best.
BENITA NZERIBE
The small-framed star actress is synonymous with bad roles and skimpy dresses in movies, but Benita Nzeribe is a good actress, very vocal and real on set. Her interpretation of a bitchy daughter of a billionaire in the old soap opera, Beyond our Dreams marked the beginning of her journey to stardom and it has not stopped her bad roles, which she is now known for. But today, the fair-complexioned star actress has been able to make up with other challenging roles in the English genre of Nollywood.
BIMBO AKINTOLA
Whether you like or hate her, the sexy Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Ibadan is in a class of her own and has been able to break all barriers with her acting prowess, which is one of the reasons she has been tagged ‘movie bad girl’. Choosing between Stella and Bimbo as the leader of the Nigerian star actresses is very close to call. Forget about sexy moves on screen, Bimbo Akintola is a brilliant actress, real and natural while interpreting her roles in movies. Her good stage-craft and command of language are some of the qualities that place her ahead of other Nollywood queens.
GENEVEIVE NNAJI
She has shown that acting skills are not necessarily got from within the four walls of the classroom, because when her mates were busy writing JAMB, Jenny, armed with her in-born talent, had her name written among top Nigerian movie stars. And today, the former face of LUX Soap has left her peers at the lower rung of the ladder to ensconced herself at the highest place reserved for the best. Genevieve Nnaji’s natural beauty and cool nature cannot but reflect positively in most of her movies. Apart from being real on set, the highly gifted screen siren is a cameraman’s delight.
KATE HENSHAW
It has been established that Kate is vocal and natural. Ever since the ebony-complexioned screen diva made her debut with When the Sun Set in the year 1984, Kate Henshaw has left no one in doubt of her versatility in the Nigerian movie industry. She is real, cool and calculating.
STEPHANIE OKEREKE
Although her diction is averagely okay, critics believe that Stephanie Okereke does not have good command of grammar on set. Her captivating smiles coupled with her good character interpretation are some of the reasons her numerous fans and video followers cannot get enough of her and why she is being rated among the best. Being a model turned actress is probably one of the reasons the sexy actress always makes the cover of most movie jackets and posters.
OMOTOLA JALADE-EKEINDE
Even after four beautiful children, Omosexy still rose to stardom as a teenager and her amazing character interpretation of a dying girl in the old flick Mortal Inheritanc” which also won her an award, was what stamped her feet in the Nollywood industry. Omotola Jalade knows her onions and can fit into any kind of role.
RITA DOMINIC
She is also a very good actress. Her baby face, sexy figure and excellent character interpretation in movies are some of those qualities that make the Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Port-Harcourt a choice among other star actress. Rita Dominic’s acting skill is wholesome, even though she may not be very real on screen.
MAUREEN SOLOMON
Although her pretty baby face is rarely visible on posters and movie jackets, the chocolate-complexioned actress is among the few highly gifted actresses around. Maureen Solomon’s natural look, which always reflects in her acting, actually won her a place on this list.
BIMBO AKINSANYA
The busty actress came into prominence after her appearance in Super Story and ever since, she has become a darling of most Yoruba movie producers, who now regale the pretty face of the sharp-voiced actress on posters and film jackets. Bimbo Akinsanya is one hell of an actress that always understands her lines very well, and it always reflects whenever she is interpreting her roles.
LOLA ALAO
Call her tattoo girl, you may not be wrong because the Yoruba actress has tattoos drawn on several parts of her body. Lola Alao is a controversial actress to some people but her beautiful looks, unique ways of interpreting roles and her trendy life style are some of the reasons people find it difficult to distinguish her from the character she plays in most of the home videos.
IYABO OJO
Though, critics would be wondering how the name of the slim, petite Yoruba actress got on the list, they must not forget the fact that Iyabo Ojo is a better actress, if not the best among her mates. She is very real but could over-act at times.
TAYO ODUEKE
Sikiratu Sindodo was actually the title of the popular Yoruba flick that catapulted her into the mainstream of the Nigerian home video industry and also earned her that nickname. Although different tales have been trailing her relationship with MC Oluomo, Tayo Odueke is very real and natural. She has featured in lots of Yoruba home videos and also produced one or two.
FOLUKE DARAMOLA
Apart from her large size boobs which give her out wherever she goes, the Obafemi Awolowo University graduate’s good delivery of lines and how she usually handles her roles in movies, are some of the qualities that place Foluke Daramola among the best.
DORIS SIMEON
Apart from her youthful and pretty looks, the fair-skinned Doris Simeon is another good role interpreter of roles; very real and natural. She is obviously one of the rare breed Nigerian actresses. The cool, calm and highly gifted screen beauty would rather allow her acting skill to speak for her than be a rabble-rouser.
QUEEN NWOKOYE
She is a head-turner any day, most especially when she is wearing her seductive look. Queen Nwokoye is one of the rare talents to emerge from Enugu, and her pretty face has found its way to many posters and film jackets. Queen is cool and highly gifted when it comes to interpretation of roles.
MOSUNMOLA FILANI
Her captivating voice and natural artistic display have won her greater admiration among her numerous fans than her pretty looks and nice body. Mosunmola Filani is another of the hottest chics in the Yoruba movie industry. Her consistency ever since she hit the movie scene couple of years ago and her ability to give life to most of the characters she interprets in films are some of those qualities that turned the Abeokuta, Ogun State-based actress into a pick among young star actresses.
EBUBE NWAGBO
She is one actress whose profile could be said to be on the rise. Ebube Nwagbo who was hitherto based in the East, seemed to want to make up for missing out of the Lagos fun as she can be seen at most showbiz events these days. The actress could be said to be a party bird but what many have come to notice is that apart from some stubborn pimples on her face, she is fast winning accolades as a good dresser.
ZAINAB BUKKY AJAYI
She is unarguably one of the most experienced and fantastic Nollywood actresses. The Britain-trained grandmother leaves no stone unturned to please her fans anytime she is on set recording a movie or on stage doing it live. Bukky Ajayi is charismatic and very down to earth. At locations, she teaches younger ones the ropes, encouraging them on their career and always telling them they can do better than her only if they are hardworking. Mama, as she is fondly called, has featured in various national and international movies with series of accolades and awards coming her way all the time.
SHAN GEORGE
She has played many controversial roles in movies and this has made many to label her a bad girl but she gives no attention to what they are saying. She is a mother of two and a Mass Communication graduate from the University of Lagos, and she is still glowing day by day. Shan George is a screen goddess who has been one of numerous ladies who have sworn to wear low hair-cut till death. A popular actress in the Nigerian movie industry, she is a musician with a single to her credit.
NGOZI NWOSU
This is one lady who has held on to her single parent life as if her life depends on it, despite her roles in home videos and soap operas. Ngozi Nwosu featured in Checkmate, a soup opera in the early 90’s and currently plays Peace in Amaka Igwe’s Fuji House of Commotion. She is a strong member of the single parent club and this has seen her act freely any role she wants to play in the movie industry without caring about who will say what.
IBINABO FIBERESIMA
This is one actress who featured widely in movies in her early years. However, Ibinabo Fiberesima has been a single parent for a while since her separation from her first husband and she is presently the wife of the popular Nollywood producer and actor, Fred Amata. This Bayelsa State-born actress and ex-beauty queen was on the 20th February, 2009, sentenced by a Lagos State High Court presided over by Justice Deborah Oluwayemi to five years imprisonment for manslaughter after many months of anxiety. She has however been granted bail pending the hearing of her appeal.
ANITA JOSEPH
She is always in the news these days. The reason being that she has been described as one of most new controversial actress the industry has ever seen.. Anita Joseph recently revealed that why she is the most controversial actress in Nollywood today is because she hardly wears any underwear and hardly can any other actress in the industry match her in a sexual contest.
DAKORE EGBUSON
Naturally, an encounter with her will leave you stunned by her beauty, carriage and very amiable disposition. Dakore Egbuson, despite her run away success does not have airs around her but her relationship with Olumide Akande, Chief Harry Akande’s son, has generated a great uproar around her in the industry. There have been insinuations about whether the Akande family will admit her into their family. Remember her role in the movie Emotional Cry, which brought her to limelight? This actress is a multi-talented award-winner.
OGE OKOYE
This tall, light-skinned and very beautiful mother is also a force to reckon with in Nollywood. Oge Okoye is free of scandals but her foreign-based husband was recently accused of being a drug dealer. The star actress came into the make-believe industry in 1999 and was shot into limelight by her role in her early movies like Spanner, Black Bra and a host of other blockbusters.
UCHE JOMBO
Despite the fact that she is a very good Nollywood actress, Uche Jombo is a notorious for quarrels and fights with fellow actresses, majorly over men issues. This Abia State-born actress also has another bad habit of smoking. Uche is bold, beautiful and brainy, qualities that stand her out among her peers, but her seductive roles in most home videos have arguably earned the ebony-complexioned Nollywood star actress the reputation of a movie bad girl.
PATIENCE OZOKWOR
This experienced Nollywood actress, years back lost her husband and has since been battling with widowhood and loneliness. This Udi in Enugu State-born actress knows how to act the ‘bitchy’ role perfectly as if in real life she is that way. Patience Ozokwor, has won a lot of awards as a result of her acting prowess. She is fondly called Mama G by her numerous fans.
UCHE IWUJI
She came into the Nigerian movie industry in 1999 through her godfather, Zeb Ejiro. As at today, Uche Iwuji has done like 30 movies. Two years back, her nude pictures were circulated through phones via Bluetooth. It was a period when many took her to be a wild girl. She is a Creative Arts student of the University of Lagos. Uche acts very well in any role given to her.
MONALISA CHINDA
Monalisa Chinda is a household name in the movie industry, having featured in over 30 home videos. Despite her popularity, Monalisa turns out not to be a celebrity like most other actresses. She had her first child early last year, which explains her absence from the screen.
ADAORA UKOH
This busty Abagana, Anambra State-born Nollywood actress began her acting career in 1998 and came to prominence when she starred in Black Bar and Total Control. Adaora Ukoh is a Law graduate who acts so well in home videos. This actress also dances so well, and many that have come across her in clubs can attest to this.
BISI IBIDAPO-OBE
Popularly known as Olabisi Omologbalogba, she has made a remarkable mark in the Nigerian entertainment industry referred to as Nollywood, especially the Yoruba genre. Bisi Ibidapo-Obe, born thirty-something years ago to the Ibidapo-Obe family of Ilesha, has over the years impressed her fans with her acting skills, making her the toast of a lot of people, especially the men folk, thanks to her beauty. She is involved with the Odunfa Group, a prominent group in the Yoruba sector of the movie industry that gave her the breakthrough she is enjoying today.
FUNKE AKINDELE
Undeniably the most popular Nollywood actress as far the Yoruba section is concerned, Funke Akindele’s performance in the movie Jenifa is still making her the toast of many. A school of thought believes that, had Femi Adebayo not been married, Funke would have gone for him a hundred times but unfortunately, Femi is living happily with his wife in Ibadan. Right now, this actress who came to limelight through a TV drama series I Need To Know is romantically linked with Olasco Films boss.
PORTIA YAMAHAN
In a recent report, this Edo State-born actress was quoted as saying that she is so much in love with coloured underwear that she can do anything to get one because she loves playing with colours. Portia Yamahan, aside the fact that she emerged the winner of the 2006 Next Movie Star TV Reality Show, has turned out to be one of Nollywood’s celebrities. Despite that, Portia is still single and very controversial when it comes to acting sense but she finds white and black underwear less attractive.
Source:Newsofthepeopleng.com
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