BY HELEN AJOMOLE
In this part of the world, becoming a top celebrity is either by hard work, persistence or through reality shows. As we know that the road to fame is a tough one around here, a few of our top Nollywood celebs credit their prominence to reality shows which gave then the opportunity to showcase their talent.
Below are the 7 Nigerian Nollywood celebrities who rose to fame from reality shows
O.C. UKEJE
Okechukwu Ukeje better known as OC Ukeje rose to fame as as an actor from Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) reality show. He began his career in acting from his first year at the University of Lagos, Yaba, with a lead role in a stage play. He went on to pursue both music and acting, focusing mainly on acting in stage plays for the first four years of his career before attempting and winning a reality TV show.
Ukeje has received several awards including Africa Movie Academy Awards, Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, Nollywood Movies Awards, Best of Nollywood Awards, Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards. He has featured in several award winning films including Two Brides and a Baby, Hoodrush, Alan Poza, Confusion Na Wa and Half of a Yellow Sun.
TONTO DIKEH
Tonto’s participation in the 2005 reality TV show “The Next Movie Star” paved way for her acting career. She was the first runner up in the contest and soon after, she became one of the hottest movie stars in the country. The pretty actress who is also a musician has since featured in over 80 movies.
BRYAN OKWARA
Ikenna Bryan Okwara known as Bryan Okwara won Mr Nigeria in 2007. He also got to the semi-finals in the Mister World 2007 competition. Since he hit the limelight, he has done several movies in Nollywood and is one of the most handsome faces in the industry.
KENNETH OKOLIE
Kenneth Okolie is a Mr Nigeria 2010 and 2nd runner-up Mr World 2010. Kenneth started acting in 2011 and has starred in different films and series. He is in television series Husbands of Lagos, was in Skinny Girl In Transit, and has acted in several movies. He has won several awards including The City People Award For Best Supporting Actor, 2010 Black Model Award among others.
MOYO LAWAL
Moyo Lawal was a contestant in the Next Movie Star TV Reality Show and even though she did not win, went on to be one of the most sought after actresses. Moyo Lawal started acting with her role as Chinny in the Mnet soap opera and ever since then she has starred in numerous television series such as Binta and Friends, Dancehood, Eldorado, Flatmates, Jenifa’s Diary, Tinsel and so on. She also featured in other movies including Sound of Rain, Big gals on Campus, Judas Game, Never Love a Prince and so on.
BELINDA EFFAH
Belinda made her first television debut in the 2005 TV series Shallow Waters after which she took a break from the series to feature in the reality show Next Movie Star TV reality show in which she finished 5th position. She won the Most Promising Act of the Year award at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards. She was once a television presenter for Sound City, a Nigerian Entertainment cable station. However, she left the station to start her own TV show titled Lunch Break with Belinda.
TAMARA
Tamara Eteimo known as Tamara since her Nollywood film debut in 2011, right after she won the seventh edition of the Next Movie Star reality show, has appeared in over 50 films. She was ranked second in Charles Novia’s annual rankings of Nollywood actresses for 2013 and has been nominated for numerous awards.
