Celebrity of the Week

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
Born     Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
Nationality     Nigerian
Other names     "Omo Sexy"
Occupation     Actress
Years active     1995-present
Spouse(s)     Capt. Matthew Ekeinde

Website
www.omotola.tv

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, pronounced (oh - m oh - t oh - l ah) (born February 7, 1978) is a leading actress, singer, and philanthropist from Lagos, Nigeria. Since her Nollywood film debut in 1995, she has appeared in an astounding 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.

Career
Omotola was later introduced to acting by escorting another model 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 Ekeinde got her first big role with the movie Mortal Inheritance (1995) where she played a sickle-cell patient who fights for her life even when she knows she might not be able to live. At the end of the day, she has a baby and eventually lives. The film, which received good reviews, won her awards for her role in the movie and is still known as one of Nigeria's best movies ever made. Ever since then she has not looked back and she has starred in blockbuster movies like Games Women Play, Blood Sisters, All My Life, Last Wedding, My Story, The Woman in Me and a host of others. In the year 2005, she launched her music career.

After a career defining role in Mortal Inheritance, Omotola's portrayal won her The Best Actress in English Speaking Movie and Best Actress Overall at the 1997 THEMA (The Movie Awards), While the film itself is revered today as one of Nigeria’s best ever made. Omotola was the youngest actress in Nigeria at this time to achieve this feat.

In the late nineties and early two thousands, the increasingly known actress starred in several sequel films including, Lost Kingdom 2, Korsorogun 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.

After shooting roughly 300 straight to video movies, Omotola received her first cinematic movie role in the 2010 film, Ije shot on locations in Jos Nigeria, Carlifornia and Los Angeles. Ije has gone on to be the Highest grossing film out of Nollywood, winning numerous international accolades. In 2012, She starred in a Nollywood blockbuster Thriller Movie; Last Flight to Abuja which beat Hollywood blockbusters like Spiderman, Think like a man, Ice Age, Avengers and Madagascar to to become 2nd in west African cinemas. Omotola has gone on to win over 40 domestic and international awards. She is considered Africa’s biggest box office actress.

Today, she is not only noted for her incomparable showbiz accomplishments, but is also applauded for her remarkable humanitarian efforts. Over the years, Omotola has been a pioneer in the Nollywood film industry, successfully becoming the most watched actress in Africa. She was recently honored on the 2013 Time 100 Most Influential People In The World List alongside Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Kate Middleton.

In early 2013, Omotola made her U.S. television debut in VH1's scripted series, Hit the Floor.

Early life

Omotola grew up with 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 Y.M.C.A and the Lagos Country Club. Omotola’s original career ambition was to work in Business Management and while awaiting her results from University, she began modeling to earn a living. Omotola attended Chrisland School Opebi (1981-1987), Oxford Children School (1987), Santos Layout, Command Secondary School Kaduna,(1988-1993), she had a brief stint at Obafemi Awolowo University and finally completed her studies at Yaba College of Technology Yaba (1996-2004), where she studied Estate Management

Music career
OmoSexy, as her fans would call her, launched a long-awaited music career in 2005 with the release of her debut album, titled, GBA. The album featured the singles, “Naija Lowa” and “The Things You Do To Me.”[13] Her sophomore album, Me, Myself, and Eyes brought in production from Paul Play and Del B, featuring the songs, “Feel Alright” ft. Harry Song and “Through the Fire” ft. Uche. Omotola held an album launch party in Nigeria, where tables where sold for 1 million Nigerian naira.

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.[15] She also recorded with Grammy recording artist, Bobby V

Philanthropy
Omotola became a United Nations WFP (World Food Programme) Ambassador in 2005 going to missions in Sierra- Leone and Liberia. Omotola 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.
Omotola is known as a fierce Human Rights campaigner and her philanthropy efforts are centered on her NGO project, called the Omotola Ekeinde Initiative for Youth Empowerment. The undertaking brings hundreds of youths together for the Empowerment Walk and Convention.
Omotola lent her voice in 2010 to the Rewrite The Future Campaign of Save The Children UK.
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.

Reality Show
In 2012, Omotola launched her own reality show Omotola: The Real Me on Africa Magic Entertainment, a M-Net subsidiary broadcast on DStv.Omotola: The Real Me made Omotola the first Nigerian celebrity to star in their own reality show.
Personal life
Omotola married pilot, Captain Matthew Ekeinde, her husband of sixteen years, 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 the 30th of March 1997. Together, they have four children, Princess, M.J, Meriaih and Michael. Omotola lost her father in 1991.
In the media
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.

In 2012, CNN Travel noted Omotola's famous tongue (accent) on their list of the world's 12 sexiest accents.[25] 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.
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         2003        
The Outsider         2003        
Rescue             2003        
Blood Sisters         2003         with Genevieve Nnaji    
Royal Family         2004        
Die Another Day     2004         Queen    
A Kiss from Rose     2004        
Games Women Play     2005        
Brave Heart         2005        
The Revelation         2007        
Sand in My Shoes     2007        
Careless Soul         2007        
Yankee Girls         2008        
Temple of Justice     2008        
My Last Ambition     2009         Amanda    
Ije: The Journey     2010         Anya Opara Michino     With Genevieve Nnaji, Odalys Garcia, Ulrich Que
Ties That Bind         2011         with Ama K. Abebrese, Kimberly Elise    
Amina             2011         Amina    
Last Flight to Abuja     2012         Suzie     With Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Jim Iyke, Jide Kosoko
Blood on the Lagoon     2012         Post Production
Up creek a paddle     2013         Post Production
Hit The Floor         2013         Omotola    
Awards & Recognition
Year         Award     Category                 Film         Result
1997         The Movie Awards (THEMA)     Best English/ Best actress     Won
2004         City People awards for Excellence     Best Actress         Won
2004     Global Excellence Recognition Awards     Best Actress & Grand Achiever     Won
2004     Civil Enlightenment Organization of Nigeria (CEON)     Best Individual & Symbol of         Creativity                             Won
2004         NUSEC Awards     Best Actress                     Won
2005     African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) Best actress in Supporting Role     Won
2006         Youths Benefactor's Award     Most friendly Actress         Won
2012         Eloy Awards     Actress of the Year                 Won
2012         Screen Nation Awards     Pan African Best Actress         Won
2012     Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts Awards (BEFFTA)     Film Actress Icon                                         Won
Cource: Wikipedia

7/26/2013