Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

Omotola at the World Economic Forum in 2015
Born Omotola Jalade
(1978-02-07) 7 February 1978
Lagos State, Nigeria
Residence Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
Nationality Nigerian
Other names "Omo Sexy"
Omotola Jolade Ekeinde
Omotola Jalade
Omotola Ekeinde
Citizenship Nigerian (1978–present)
Alma mater
Occupation actress, singer, former model
Years active 1995–present
Religion Christianity[1]
Spouse(s) Capt. Matthew Ekeinde (m. 1996)
Children Princess Ekeinde (b. 1997)[2]
M.J Ekeinde (b. 1998)[2]
Meraiah Ekeinde (b. 2000)[2]
Michael Ekeinde (b. 2002)[2]
Parent(s) Oluwatoyin Jalade (mother)
Oluwashola Jalade (father)
Website www.omotola.tv
Signature
omosexy

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (oh – m oh – t oh – l ah, born Omotola Jalade, 7 February 1978) is a Nigerian actress, singer, philanthropist and former model. Since her Nollywood film debut in 1995, the leading actress has appeared in 300 films, selling millions of video copies. After receiving numerous high-profile awards, launching a music career, and amassing an enviable fan base, the press has revered the Screen Nation "Best Actress" as the "African Magic". She is the first African celebrity to receive over 1 million likes on her Facebook page.[3] She currently has a total of 3 million followers on Facebook.[4]

Beyond her show business accomplishments, she is also applauded for her remarkable humanitarian efforts. Omotola is one of the pioneers of the video film era of Nigerian cinema, becoming the most watched actress in Africa. In 2013, she was honoured in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world alongside Michelle Obama, Beyoncé and Kate Middleton.[5]

In early 2013, Omotola made her US television debut in VH1's scripted series, Hit the Floor.[6] On 2 November 2013, she spoke at the 2013 edition of the WISE Summit, held in Doha, Qatar.[7]

In 2014, she was honoured by the Nigerian government as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR for her contributions to Nigerian cinema.[8][9]

Early life and Education

Omotola, who is of Ondo descent, was born in Lagos State. She grew up in a family of five, her parents and two younger brothers, Tayo and Bolaji Jalade. Her mother, Oluwatoyin Jalade née Amori Oguntade, worked at J.T Chanrai Nig, and her father, Oluwashola Jalade, worked with the YMCA and the Lagos Country Club. Omotola's original ambition was to work in business management. While awaiting her results from university, she began modelling to earn a living. Omotola attended Chrisland School Opebi (1981–1987), Oxford Children School (1987), Santos Layout, and Command Secondary School Kaduna (1988–1993).[10] She had a brief stint at Obafemi Awolowo University and completed her studies at Yaba College of Technology (1996–2004), where she studied estate management.[11]

Career

Acting career

Omotola was introduced to acting by accompanying a friend to an audition. Her first acting role was in the 1995 movie Venom of Justice, directed by Reginald Ebere. Reginald has been cited as launching Omotola's career. She was given the lead role in the movie, which set the stage for a flourishing career in the Nollywood film industry. Omotola got her first big role in the critically acclaimed film Mortal Inheritance (1995). In the movie, she played a sickle-cell patient who fights for her life despite the odds of survival. Omotola's character overcame the disease and had a baby. The film is regarded as one of Nigeria's best movies ever made.[12] Since then, she has starred in several blockbuster movies, including Games Women Play, Blood Sisters, All My Life, Last Wedding, My Story, The Woman in Me and a host of others.

After a career defining role in Mortal Inheritance, Omotola's portrayal won her "Best Actress in an English Speaking Movie" and "Best Actress Overall" at the 1997 THEMA (The Movie Awards). She was the youngest actress in Nigeria at this time to achieve this feat.[13]

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the increasingly known actress starred in several sequel films, including Lost Kingdom 2, Kosorogun 2, and Blood Sister 2, leading to a Grand Achiever Award on behalf of the Global Excellence Recognition Awards in 2004. By the mid-2000s, Omotola had catapulted into A-list status. She was awarded "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" during the African Movie Academy Awards in 2005.[14]

After shooting roughly 300 straight to video movies, Omotola received her first cinematic movie role in the 2010 film, Ije.[15] The film was shot on locations in Jos, California, and Los Angeles. Ije was the Highest grossing Nollywood film at the time – A feat later broken by Phone Swap (2012). Last Flight to Abuja (2012) in which Omotola also starred currently holds the record. In 2012, she starred in the Nollywood blockbuster thriller Last Flight to Abuja which beat Hollywood blockbusters like Spiderman, Think like a Man, Ice Age, The Avengers, and Madagascar to become the 2nd highest-grossing movie in West African cinemas in 2012.[16][17] Omotola has gone on to win over 40 domestic and international awards. She is considered Africa's biggest box office actress.[18][19][20]

In 2015, Omotola celebrated her 20th anniversary in the entertainment industry. She has appeared in about 200 movies.[21]

Music career

OmoSexy launched a long-awaited music career in 2005 with the release of her debut album titled GBA. The album produced the singles "Naija Lowa" and "The Things You Do To Me."[22] Her unreleased sophomore album, Me, Myself, and Eyes, brought in production from Paul Play and Del B. It was supported by the songs "Feel Alright" (featuring Harry Song) and "Through the Fire" (featuring Uche). The album's launch party was scheduled to hold in Nigeria, and tables were expected to sell for N1 million.[23]

In late 2012, Omotola began working on her third album and enlisted the help of The Bridge Entertainment. She headed to the musical mecca of Atlanta GA to work with some prominent producers and songwriters who could help create a sound that would resonate to American audiences. Studio sessions included Grammy winning producer Kendrick Dean, Drumma Boy, Verse Simmonds.[24] She also recorded with Grammy recording artist Bobby V.[25][26]

Reality show

Promotional poster for Omotola: The Real Me

In 2012, Omotola launched her own reality show, Omotola: The Real Me, on Africa Magic Entertainment, a M-Net subsidiary broadcast on DStv. This made Omotola the first Nigerian celebrity to star in her own reality show.[27]

Philanthropy

Omotola became a United Nations WFP (World Food Programme) Ambassador in 2005, going to missions in Sierra- Leone and Liberia. She has been active in the Walk the World project and participated in the Walk the World campaign in Liberia with President Ellen Sir Leaf-Johnson.[28]

Omotola is known as a fierce human rights campaigner and her philanthropy efforts are centred on her NGO project, called the Omotola Youth Empowerment Programme (OYEP). The undertaking brings hundreds of youths together for the Empowerment Walk and Convention.[29]

Omotola lent her voice in 2010 to the Rewrite The Future Campaign of Save The Children UK.[30]

Omotola became an Amnesty International campaigner in 2011 and has participated in campaigns in Sierra- Leone (Maternal Mortality) and her recent campaign of The Niger Delta in Nigeria, where she shot a video asking Shell and the government to Own Up, Clean Up, Pay Up and take responsibility of the Oil spills in the Niger- Delta.[31][32]

Accolades

Omotola's inimitable viewpoint landed her a now famous column in OK! Nigeria Magazine. The column is titled "Omotola's Diary" and features writings directly from Omotola about her life and experiences.[33] On 5 November 2013, Omotola was honoured with the Ebony Vanguard Award at the Music Video and Screen Awards (MVISA) held in Birmingham.[34] On 9 November 2013, Oba Victor Kiladejo, the royal king of Ondo Kingdom conferred Omotola with a chieftaincy title in her hometown of Ondo State.[35]

In 2012, CNN Travel noted Omotola's famous tongue (accent) on their list of the world's 12 sexiest accents.[36] The Nigerian accent ranked 5th on the list. The following year, Omotola was named one of the most influential people in the world by TIME magazine for their annual TIME 100 list. She appeared in the icons category.[37]

In 2015, Omotola was listed among the highest-grossing movie stars one has never heard of; the listing included Shah Rukh Khan, Frank Welker, Bob Bergen, Jack Angel, Mickie McGowan, Michael Papajohn, Martin Klebba, Clint Howard and Chris Ellis. This listing was compiled and researched by Yahoo![38]

Personal life

Ekeinde, with her son in 2010

Omotola married pilot Captain Matthew Ekeinde in 1996. The couple later held a white ceremony on board a Dash 7 aircraft while flying from Lagos to Benin in 2001, with close family and friends present. Omotola gave birth to her first daughter on 30 March 1997. Together, they have four children, Princess, M.J, Merairah and Michael. Omotola lost her father in 1991.

Selected filmography

Actor
Title Year Role Notes
Venom of Justice 1995
Mortal Inheritance 1996
Scores to Settle 1998
Lost Kingdom 1999
Kosorogun 2002
When Love Dies 2003 Mary
Under Fire
The Outsider
Rescue
Blood Sisters with Genevieve Nnaji
Royal Family 2004
Die Another Day Queen
A Kiss from Rose
Games Women Play 2005
Brave Heart
The Revelation 2007
Sand in My Shoes
Careless Soul
Yankee Girls 2008
Temple of Justice
My Last Ambition 2009 Amanda
Ije: The Journey 2010 Anya Opara Michino With Genevieve Nnaji, Odalys Garcia, Ulrich Que
A Private Storm 2010 Gina With Ramsey Nouah, Ufuoma Ejenobor, John Dumelo
Ties That Bind 2011 With Ama K. Abebrese, Kimberly Elise
Last Flight to Abuja 2012 Suzie With Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Jim Iyke, Jide Kosoko
Amina Amina
Hit The Floor 2013 Omotola
Blood on the Lagoon 2014[39]
Up Creek a Paddle TBA Post production

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Year Title Album
2014 "Barren Land"[40] Me, Myself, and Eyes
2015 "Strong Girl (Remix)"[41] As featured artiste N/A

Awards and recognition

Year Award Category Recipient Result
1997 The Movie Awards (THEMA) Best English/ Best actress Herself Won
2004 City People awards for Excellence Best Actress Won
Global Excellence Recognition Awards Best Actress & Grand Achiever Won
Civil Enlightenment Organization of Nigeria (CEON) Best Individual & Symbol of Creativity Won
NUSEC Awards Best Actress Won
2005 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) Best Actress in a Supporting Role Won
2006 Youths Benefactor's Award Most friendly Actress Won
2012 Eloy Awards Actress of the Year Won
Screen Nation Awards Pan African Best Actress Won
Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts Awards (BEFFTA) Film Actress Icon Won
2013 Music Video and Screen Awards (MVISA) Ebony Vanguard Award Won[42]
2014 MTV Africa Music Awards 2014[43] Personality of the Year Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Ashefon, Kemi (2 March 2014). "I don't believe in gender equality —Omotola Ekeinde". Punch Newspapers. Punch NG. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Aiki, Damilare (7 August 2013). "Beautiful Family! See Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde's Children at the "AGN Honours Omotola" Event in Lagos". Bellanaija. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  3. ↑ "Nigeria: Omotola Hits 1 Million Facebook Likes". All Africa. 16 February 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  4. ↑ Odumade, Omotolani. "Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde: Actress celebrates 3M followers on Facebook". Retrieved 2016-07-20.
  5. ↑ Corliss, Richard (18 April 2013). "The 2013 Time 100: Omotola Jalade Ekeinde". TIME 100. London. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  6. ↑ "Nigerian Actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde Will Make USA TV Debut On 'Hit The Floor' Tonight". IMDb. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  7. ↑ "Gorgeous Omotola speaks at the WISE Summit in Doha,Qatar(PHOTOS)". Modernghana. 3 November 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  8. ↑ "Jonathan's steward, taxi driver, traffic warden, 304 other Nigerians get National Honours". premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  9. ↑ "Omotola Jalade Ekehinde and Joke Silva top list of 2014 National honour list (see full list)". bestofnollywood.tv. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  10. ↑ "Who is really Omotala". Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  11. ↑ "Biography of Omotola Jalade Ekeinde.". Nigeriabiography.com. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  12. ↑ "Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde: 10 things to know about 'Omosexy'". January 2014.
  13. ↑ "Top 10 Nollywood Actresses of All Times". Answers Africa. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  14. ↑ Folaranmi, Femi (13 May 2005). "Rhythm of a new world of movies As Nollywood stars storm Yenagoa for AMAA". Sun news. The Daily Sun. Archived from the original on 9 September 2006. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  15. ↑ "IJE". Vow Foundation. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  16. ↑ "Last Flight to Abuja grosses N8m in the box office". Vanguard Newspaper. Vanguard. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  17. ↑ "Omotola Clinches Actress of the Year Award". Sun news. The Daily Sun. 26 November 2012.
  18. ↑ James, Osaremen Ehi (11 November 2012). "Omotola Emerges Biggest Box-Office Actress of the Year ...As Last Flight To Abuja Becomes 2012 Best Box-Office Hit". Nigeria films. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  19. ↑ "The 2013 Time 100: Omotola Jalade Ekeinde". Shout-Africa. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  20. ↑ Media, Bigsam (8 August 2012). "Last Flight to Abuja is the number 2 film in West African Cinemas". The Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  21. ↑ ""Omosexy is a Nollywood cornerstone" - Yahoo". Pulse Nigeria. Chidumga Izuzu. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  22. ↑ http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/omotola/album/gba-blue-pie/track/honey-boy
  23. ↑ Media, Bigsam. "HOW CELEBRITIES AND DIGNITARIES MINGLED AT OMOTOLA'S ALBUM LAUNCH". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  24. ↑ "Omotola Jalade features top foreign acts in new album as she returns to music.". Nigerian Monitor. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  25. ↑ Eta, Philip (28 January 2013). "PHOTOSPEAK: Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde records with Bobby V in Atlanta". Daily Post. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  26. ↑ James, Osaremen Ehi (28 January 2013). "UPDATED: Omotola Storms Atlanta Studio With Bobby V [Picture]". Nigeria Films.com. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  27. ↑ "Omotola:The Real Me". Africa Magic Dstv. MultiChoice Ltd. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  28. ↑ Hunger, fight (7 March 2007). "Gearing up for Walk the World in Liberia". TNT Corporate Responsibility. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  29. ↑ Aiki, Damilare (24 January 2012). "BN Exclusive: In Loving Memory of her Mother, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde's Foundation OYEP gives 20 Widows AMAZING Makeovers – Must See Photos!". Bella Naija. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  30. ↑ Hale, Jo (12 September 2006). "Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde launches 'Rewrite The Future', a new global campaign from Save The Children, at City Hall, Riverside.". Getty Images. London. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  31. ↑ Macnamara, Lucy (17 April 2012). "'Nollywood' Star Omotola Jalade Ekeinde calls on Shell to clean up the Niger Delta". Amnesty International. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  32. ↑ Akintayo, Opeoluwani (7 January 2012). "'Nollywood' Star Omotola Jalade Ekeinde calls on Shell to clean up the Niger Delta". All Africa. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  33. ↑ Aiki, Damilare (26 August 2012). "Nollywood's Omotola; Cocktails with Omotola Jalade Ekeinde". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  34. ↑ Alonge, Osagie (7 November 2013). "Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde honoured at Music Video and Screen Awards". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  35. ↑ "Omotola Jalade, David Mark, Others Receive Chieftaincy Title in Ondo Kingdom". Naij News. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  36. ↑ Burchette, Jordan (30 November 2010). "World's 12 sexiest accents". CNN International. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  37. ↑ Corliss, Richard (18 April 2013). "The 2013 Time 100: Omotola Jalade Ekeinde". London: TIME 100. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  38. ↑ "The Highest-Grossing Movie Stars You've Probably Never Heard Of". Yahoo Movies UK. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  39. ↑ ""Blood in the Lagoon" Watch Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Okey Uzoeshi in trailer". Pulse.ng. Chidumg Izuzu. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  40. ↑ "Omotola releases single from upcoming album". Vanguard. 24 January 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  41. ↑ "D'banj Bono, Waje, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde star in conscious 'Strong girl' remix". Pulse.com.gh. David Mawuli. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  42. ↑ "Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde honoured at Music Video and Screen Awards". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  43. ↑ "Mafikizolo, Uhuru, Davido lead nominations for MTV Africa Music Awards". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
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