2012 promises to be an eventful year for Nollywood as expectations are very high; new stars would definitely be made just as competition will push some into oblivion.
Justpye takes a critical look at the industry and brings you some of the thespians that are expected to dominate headlines this year as well as emerging ones to look out for.
Keira Hewatch
“I am different, my name is Kiera, I don’t like or want people to refer me as that girl that looks like Mercy Johnson,” she cried although she adores Mercy Johnson.
Hewatch has matched actions with words and has continued to move away from the shadow of her alter ego.
So far, the Calabar, Cross River State-born actress who has been tipped to shine this 2012, played lead roles in two big budget movies Kajola and Two Brides and A Baby. Her first foray into moviedom was in a soap entitled Cross Roads by multi-talented producer cum actor, Emeka Ossai and since then, she has featured in several others such as Dear Mother, Everyday, Just The Two of Us and wave-making Mnet production, Tinsel.
Analysts are of the opinion that the young actress whose role in Two Brides & A Baby has caught the attention of many filmmakers and fans alike would blossom this year.
Rita Dominic
After what seemed to be a sabbatical from movies, A-list actress, Rita Dominic may be set for a grand return. For almost two years, the Imo State-born thespian has been absent from the big screens thus paving way for rising actresses including Nse Ikpe-Etim and Omoni Oboli to take the shine.
Expectations are very high that the Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Port Harcourt will premiere her first movie as a producer in the first quarter of this year. A massive promotion for the movie entitled The Meeting will be rolled out in the coming weeks ahead of a cinema run.
Directed by her long-time ally and manager, Mildred Okwo, the movie features some of the finest thespians in the country including Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Chinedu Ikedieze, Jide Kosoko, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Tariah Basorge (Jnr), Femi Jacobs and Bankole Kehinde.
Meanwhile, a movie starring Rita Dominic is also expected to hit this screens this year. Produced by Nairobi-based Dream House Productions, the movie entitled Shattered was shot last year between July and August in Kenya.
Stephanie Okereke
Perhaps the most anticipated ‘movie’ starring the leggy dark-skin beauty as lead actress this year would not be a fiction. With the working title, The Wedding, the story is a real life romantic tale involving Stephanie Okereke and her sweetheart, Linus Idahosa. As exclusively reported last week by Entertainment Express, the fairy tale wedding between this two lovebirds and co-owners of Delyork International, which is expected to take place outside Nigeria would perhaps be the biggest news item about her this year.
The Imo State-born thespian major appearances in a movie was in her self-produced film Through The Glass in 2008 and Nnenda, an Izu Ojukwu directed movie sponsored by Nigerian Breweries.
However, the LG and Kanakelon ambassador who was honoured with MFR award by the Federal Government is expected to produce another big budget movie this year which may be released by the last quarter of the year.
Joseph Benjamin
Dubbed Nollywood’s new leading man, Kogi State-born, Joseph Benjamin was the toast of movie lovers last year. The dark skin hunk brought freshness to the movie industry and dazzled fans last year in big budget movies such as Tango With Me, Kiss & Tell, Mr & Mrs as well as Mnet drama series, Tinsel.
Joseph Benjamin was rewarded with Best Actor at Best of Nollywood Award (BON) and Best New Actor at City People Award. The co-host of music reality show, MTN Project Fame is expected to continue his new streak of ascendancy in the New Year in more hit flicks.
Lizzy Anjorin
As comedy continues to dominate Yoruba movie sector, one actress that is positioning herself for breakthrough this year is Elizabeth Anjorin popularly known as Lizzy Anjorin.
Lizzy Anjorin who dazzled last year in Iyawo Abirun is set to make another big impression in a new comedy entitled Miss Tinubu. The self-produced movie by the Badagry, Lagos born thespian is set to be released before the middle of the year.
Nse Ikpe-Etim
The Akwa Ibom State-born movie sensation is set to dominate headlines this year with her appearance in the lead role of Kunle Afolayan’s big budget romantic comedy entitled Phone Swap.
Nse as she is fondly called is a Theatre Arts graduate of University of Calabar and has sparkled in blockbusters such as Reloaded, Guilty Pleasures and recently, Mr & Mrs.
Uche Jombo
Not resting on her oars, award-winning actress, Uche Jombo is set to dazzle once again after the world wide premiere last year of her advocacy movie entitled Damage.
The Glo ambassador who expanded her tentacles into production is already concluding plans to unleash the parts two and three of the globally acclaimed trilogy this year. She equally hopes to embark on international movie tours and premieres with the big budget movie directed by Moses Inwang. Aside this triangular production that witnesses a glamourous premiere last year, this 2012, the proud entertainer from Abiriba, Abia State will be unveiling several other national and international projects with her foreign partners.
Monalisa Chinda
Glo ambassador, Monalisa Chinda made a big debut as a producer with a movie entitled Kiss & Tell co-starring Joseph Benjamin last year, thus making her one of the hottest names in Nollywood in 2011. The fair-skinned single mother of one landed a lucrative deal as face of new energy drink, Vita500 which is said to be worth N30 million.
Meanwhile, the University of Port Harcourt graduate is now set to take another big step with a venture into the production of a soap, Catwalq that is expected to begin airing before the middle of this year. Not forgetting that she was also the face of last year’s CarniRiv.
Omoni Oboli
The Mosogar, Delta State-born star of blockbuster, Figurine, may be on the verge of international breakthrough. Omoni Oboli will continue her knack for big budget movies this year with the release of an Ukraine/ Nigeria collaborative movie entitled Feathered Dreams.
Shot last year in Ukraine, the much anticipated movie which also features Super Eagles footballer, Ayila Yusuf is set to make a worldwide premiere before the middle of the year.
Odunlade Adekola
Even telecommunications giant, Globacom Nigeria could not resist the Yoruba actor’s dramatic rise to prominence. Odunlade Adekola sustained his popularity in the Yoruba movie sector for three years consecutively before his selection for a lucrative endorsement deal with Globacom.
There seems to be no stopping the star actor of Opa Kan which has been adjudged one of the biggest Yoruba movies of last year. The workaholic Abeokuta-based actor is expected to excel again this year having starred in quite a number of unreleased movies expected to hit the screens soon.
O.C Ukeje
Since making his debut in the 2006 edition of movie reality show, Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO), this fast-rising young talent is slowly making his way up the ladder in Nollywood.
The Marine Science graduate of University of Lagos (UNILAG) landed a big role in one of the adjudged biggest movies of 2011 entitled Two Brides & A Baby. His impressive feat in the movie earned him accolades from respected filmmaker, Charles Novia who selected him to star in his forthcoming movie expected to be released this year. Will Ukeje find breakthrough this year? EE’s crystal ball says yes.
Oby Edozieh
Just like Stephanie Okereke, another actress that is set to dominate with news of a talk-of-the-town white wedding is Oby Edozieh Okoroigwe. However, for the actress who secretly tied the knots with singer, Alex O, the year won’t be about nuptials alone.
Oby as she is fondly called is expected to release a new movie entitled Mr & Mr co-starring Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike, this 2012 alongside other tantalizing projects.
Aki and Pawpaw
Nollywood dynamites, Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki) and Osita Iheme, are among the top names that will dazzle and direct the affairs of Nollywood this 2012. The former’s well celebrated marriage to Nneoma shook the entire industry last year, while that of the latter is eagerly being awaited by his colleagues and fans this 2012. They are also strategizing and networking with their partners on three new Igbo language films this year.
Emeka Ike
Star actor and successful entrepreneur Emeka Ike is destined for greatness this 2012. He was among the busiest actors throughout last year with juicy movie deals within and outside Nigeria. The very outspoken entertainer started the New Year again with bigger commitments and engagements in the industry, thus proving that he’s still relevant to the scheme of things in dear Nollywood.
Tonto Dike
She has firmly carved a niche for herself as Nigeria’s queen of soft-porn. Tonto Dikeh made headlines two years ago when she co-starred with actor, Muna Obiekwe in a controversial movie entitled Dirty Secrets. Last year, she was again in the news for starring in another controversial movie entitled Strippers in Love.
Bookmakers have tipped the Romuogota, Ikwere, Rivers State-born thespian to wow this New Year. It would be recalled that Tonto Dike was one of the stars in Uche Jombo’s advocacy movie entitled Damages.
Mercy Johnson
Since her marriage in August, curvaceous actress, Mercy Johnson has gone underground. It was a particularly a turbulent year for the Kogi State actress whose wedding against all odds to her sweetheart, Odianose Okogie remained on the front burner for many weeks.
This is aside many other wicked tales of blindness and death that trailed the star actress. Mercy Johnson who recently emerged last year as the Most Searched Nigerian Celebrity is expected to stage a comeback this year.
Sources close to the actress revealed that she has remained a hot item at movie locations in Asaba, the capital city of Delta State as well as other South Eastern States. Interestingly, MJ as she is fondly called is yet to feature in any ‘big screen picture’ to hit the cinemas. Will this year be her year?
Justpye takes a critical look at the industry and brings you some of the thespians that are expected to dominate headlines this year as well as emerging ones to look out for.
Keira Hewatch
“I am different, my name is Kiera, I don’t like or want people to refer me as that girl that looks like Mercy Johnson,” she cried although she adores Mercy Johnson.
Hewatch has matched actions with words and has continued to move away from the shadow of her alter ego.
So far, the Calabar, Cross River State-born actress who has been tipped to shine this 2012, played lead roles in two big budget movies Kajola and Two Brides and A Baby. Her first foray into moviedom was in a soap entitled Cross Roads by multi-talented producer cum actor, Emeka Ossai and since then, she has featured in several others such as Dear Mother, Everyday, Just The Two of Us and wave-making Mnet production, Tinsel.
Analysts are of the opinion that the young actress whose role in Two Brides & A Baby has caught the attention of many filmmakers and fans alike would blossom this year.
Rita Dominic
After what seemed to be a sabbatical from movies, A-list actress, Rita Dominic may be set for a grand return. For almost two years, the Imo State-born thespian has been absent from the big screens thus paving way for rising actresses including Nse Ikpe-Etim and Omoni Oboli to take the shine.
Expectations are very high that the Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Port Harcourt will premiere her first movie as a producer in the first quarter of this year. A massive promotion for the movie entitled The Meeting will be rolled out in the coming weeks ahead of a cinema run.
Directed by her long-time ally and manager, Mildred Okwo, the movie features some of the finest thespians in the country including Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Chinedu Ikedieze, Jide Kosoko, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Tariah Basorge (Jnr), Femi Jacobs and Bankole Kehinde.
Meanwhile, a movie starring Rita Dominic is also expected to hit this screens this year. Produced by Nairobi-based Dream House Productions, the movie entitled Shattered was shot last year between July and August in Kenya.
Stephanie Okereke
Perhaps the most anticipated ‘movie’ starring the leggy dark-skin beauty as lead actress this year would not be a fiction. With the working title, The Wedding, the story is a real life romantic tale involving Stephanie Okereke and her sweetheart, Linus Idahosa. As exclusively reported last week by Entertainment Express, the fairy tale wedding between this two lovebirds and co-owners of Delyork International, which is expected to take place outside Nigeria would perhaps be the biggest news item about her this year.
The Imo State-born thespian major appearances in a movie was in her self-produced film Through The Glass in 2008 and Nnenda, an Izu Ojukwu directed movie sponsored by Nigerian Breweries.
However, the LG and Kanakelon ambassador who was honoured with MFR award by the Federal Government is expected to produce another big budget movie this year which may be released by the last quarter of the year.
Joseph Benjamin
Dubbed Nollywood’s new leading man, Kogi State-born, Joseph Benjamin was the toast of movie lovers last year. The dark skin hunk brought freshness to the movie industry and dazzled fans last year in big budget movies such as Tango With Me, Kiss & Tell, Mr & Mrs as well as Mnet drama series, Tinsel.
Joseph Benjamin was rewarded with Best Actor at Best of Nollywood Award (BON) and Best New Actor at City People Award. The co-host of music reality show, MTN Project Fame is expected to continue his new streak of ascendancy in the New Year in more hit flicks.
Lizzy Anjorin
As comedy continues to dominate Yoruba movie sector, one actress that is positioning herself for breakthrough this year is Elizabeth Anjorin popularly known as Lizzy Anjorin.
Lizzy Anjorin who dazzled last year in Iyawo Abirun is set to make another big impression in a new comedy entitled Miss Tinubu. The self-produced movie by the Badagry, Lagos born thespian is set to be released before the middle of the year.
Nse Ikpe-Etim
The Akwa Ibom State-born movie sensation is set to dominate headlines this year with her appearance in the lead role of Kunle Afolayan’s big budget romantic comedy entitled Phone Swap.
Nse as she is fondly called is a Theatre Arts graduate of University of Calabar and has sparkled in blockbusters such as Reloaded, Guilty Pleasures and recently, Mr & Mrs.
Uche Jombo
Not resting on her oars, award-winning actress, Uche Jombo is set to dazzle once again after the world wide premiere last year of her advocacy movie entitled Damage.
The Glo ambassador who expanded her tentacles into production is already concluding plans to unleash the parts two and three of the globally acclaimed trilogy this year. She equally hopes to embark on international movie tours and premieres with the big budget movie directed by Moses Inwang. Aside this triangular production that witnesses a glamourous premiere last year, this 2012, the proud entertainer from Abiriba, Abia State will be unveiling several other national and international projects with her foreign partners.
Monalisa Chinda
Glo ambassador, Monalisa Chinda made a big debut as a producer with a movie entitled Kiss & Tell co-starring Joseph Benjamin last year, thus making her one of the hottest names in Nollywood in 2011. The fair-skinned single mother of one landed a lucrative deal as face of new energy drink, Vita500 which is said to be worth N30 million.
Meanwhile, the University of Port Harcourt graduate is now set to take another big step with a venture into the production of a soap, Catwalq that is expected to begin airing before the middle of this year. Not forgetting that she was also the face of last year’s CarniRiv.
Omoni Oboli
The Mosogar, Delta State-born star of blockbuster, Figurine, may be on the verge of international breakthrough. Omoni Oboli will continue her knack for big budget movies this year with the release of an Ukraine/ Nigeria collaborative movie entitled Feathered Dreams.
Shot last year in Ukraine, the much anticipated movie which also features Super Eagles footballer, Ayila Yusuf is set to make a worldwide premiere before the middle of the year.
Odunlade Adekola
Even telecommunications giant, Globacom Nigeria could not resist the Yoruba actor’s dramatic rise to prominence. Odunlade Adekola sustained his popularity in the Yoruba movie sector for three years consecutively before his selection for a lucrative endorsement deal with Globacom.
There seems to be no stopping the star actor of Opa Kan which has been adjudged one of the biggest Yoruba movies of last year. The workaholic Abeokuta-based actor is expected to excel again this year having starred in quite a number of unreleased movies expected to hit the screens soon.
O.C Ukeje
Since making his debut in the 2006 edition of movie reality show, Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO), this fast-rising young talent is slowly making his way up the ladder in Nollywood.
The Marine Science graduate of University of Lagos (UNILAG) landed a big role in one of the adjudged biggest movies of 2011 entitled Two Brides & A Baby. His impressive feat in the movie earned him accolades from respected filmmaker, Charles Novia who selected him to star in his forthcoming movie expected to be released this year. Will Ukeje find breakthrough this year? EE’s crystal ball says yes.
Oby Edozieh
Just like Stephanie Okereke, another actress that is set to dominate with news of a talk-of-the-town white wedding is Oby Edozieh Okoroigwe. However, for the actress who secretly tied the knots with singer, Alex O, the year won’t be about nuptials alone.
Oby as she is fondly called is expected to release a new movie entitled Mr & Mr co-starring Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike, this 2012 alongside other tantalizing projects.
Aki and Pawpaw
Nollywood dynamites, Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki) and Osita Iheme, are among the top names that will dazzle and direct the affairs of Nollywood this 2012. The former’s well celebrated marriage to Nneoma shook the entire industry last year, while that of the latter is eagerly being awaited by his colleagues and fans this 2012. They are also strategizing and networking with their partners on three new Igbo language films this year.
Emeka Ike
Star actor and successful entrepreneur Emeka Ike is destined for greatness this 2012. He was among the busiest actors throughout last year with juicy movie deals within and outside Nigeria. The very outspoken entertainer started the New Year again with bigger commitments and engagements in the industry, thus proving that he’s still relevant to the scheme of things in dear Nollywood.
Tonto Dike
She has firmly carved a niche for herself as Nigeria’s queen of soft-porn. Tonto Dikeh made headlines two years ago when she co-starred with actor, Muna Obiekwe in a controversial movie entitled Dirty Secrets. Last year, she was again in the news for starring in another controversial movie entitled Strippers in Love.
Bookmakers have tipped the Romuogota, Ikwere, Rivers State-born thespian to wow this New Year. It would be recalled that Tonto Dike was one of the stars in Uche Jombo’s advocacy movie entitled Damages.
Mercy Johnson
Since her marriage in August, curvaceous actress, Mercy Johnson has gone underground. It was a particularly a turbulent year for the Kogi State actress whose wedding against all odds to her sweetheart, Odianose Okogie remained on the front burner for many weeks.
This is aside many other wicked tales of blindness and death that trailed the star actress. Mercy Johnson who recently emerged last year as the Most Searched Nigerian Celebrity is expected to stage a comeback this year.
Sources close to the actress revealed that she has remained a hot item at movie locations in Asaba, the capital city of Delta State as well as other South Eastern States. Interestingly, MJ as she is fondly called is yet to feature in any ‘big screen picture’ to hit the cinemas. Will this year be her year?