The Nigerian movie industry is growing in leaps and bounds with thespians raking in millions from endorsements and merchandising. While some are cornering big deals , others have also diversified to expand their streams of income.
GENEVIEVE NNAJI
Genevieve Nnaji, 36, started her acting career as a child in the popular TV soap opera, Ripples at age 8. At 19, she did her first major movie, Most Wanted, after which she did several others.
In 2004, she was chosen as the Face of Lux toilet soap, a very lucrative endorsement deal. She also launched her own clothing line in 2008 named St. Genevieve. In May 2010, she was appointed the official face of make-up designing in Nigeria. Ms. Nnaji got a deal also as the face of a US and South African brand, Cintron energy drink for N50 million. In June 2012, she was unveiled as the brand ambassador of Range Rover Envogue by Coscharis Motors, and it was reported that they paid her $100,000.
In 2014, hard work is still paying off for the screen goddess as she joined her other colleagues as Etisalat announced her as the brand ambassador for Easy Flex, which was reportedly worth N100 million. She was also signed by Polo, an endorsement worth N50 million. She recently starred in Half of a Yellow Sun, produced by Africa’s prolific book writer, Chimammanda Adichie.
OMOTOLA JALADE-EKEINDE
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is definitely a household name and she is known not just in Nigeria but other parts of the world. Omosexy, as she’s fondly called, began her acting career in 1995 with the movie, Venom of Justice.
She did her first major role in the movie, Mortal Inheritance and she has over 300 movies on her scorecard, including award-winning movie, Ije, which made her N30 million richer and Last Flight to Abuja in which she made N24 million.
In 2013, Omotola was honoured as one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine alongside Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Kate Middleton.
On February 7, 2014, Omosexy turned 36. She also signed a multi-million naira deal with Ghandour Cosmetics, a company based in Ghana. She will be the Face of BO-16, a hair relaxer and hair care range for the Ghanaian company.
FUNKE AKINDELE
Pretty and likeable actress Funke Akindele shot to limelight with her popular movie, Jenifa, and Return of Jenifa 1 and 2. In Return of Jenifa, she ranked in over N35 million.
2013 was indeed a year of blessing in the life of Funke as she enjoyed some major endorsements as the ambassador for Vitaform, where she reportedly got N20 million. She also had endorsement deals with Qlichy.com, Jobberman.com, Globacom, Klin Detergent and Lagos Inland Revenue Service.
Funke Akindele has also featured in scores of movies including A Wish, Jet Fighter, White Hunters, Sherikoko, Married but Living Single, The Hero, Oga On Top and so many others.
Recently, over 28 students graduated from her film academy, Scene One School of Drama, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.
KATE HENSHAW
Kate Henshaw launched herself into Nollywood in 1993 with the hit movie, When the Sun Sets. She won the Africa Movie Academy Award in 2009, for the Best Actress in a Leading Role in the movie, Stronger Than Pain. The ebony actress is the ambassador of Onga seasoning and Face of Blessing Perfumes. She is also an ambassador of Samsung mobile alongside music star and label owner, Banky W.
Kate Henshaw was once one of the ambassadors for telecommunications giant, Globacom. In 2013, she released her autobiography, The Life of an Actress and it was reported she got N5 million from Rivers State government. Kate Henshaw was also among the judges of Nigeria’s Got Talent and sources claimed she was paid N43 million, including seating allowance. She is a single mother of one daughter, Ella. Kate was born on July 19, 1971.
MERCY JOHNSON
Mercy Johnson is presently one of the busiest actresses in Nollywood. The curvy thespian is the toast of many producers. Mercy is a big media brand though with no major endorsement deal yet.
The Kogi born movie role interpreter, pockets between N1.5 million and N2 million per script. While Mercy was pregnant, many movie producers struggled for her baby bum to appear on their movie jacket and they wrote scripts to align with her pregnancy.
Among Mercy’s movies are Baby Oku in America, Obioma, The Slave Girl, Heart of a Fighter, Mud of Hardship, Daniella, Endless Agony, Immaculate Heart, Painful Souls, Weeping Kingdom, and many others.
Mercy Johnson was born on August 28, 1984 and she is married to an Edo prince, Prince Okojie and their union is blessed with a daughter, Purity.
(Credit: Encomium)
(Credit: Encomium)
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