Genevieve Nnaji, born 3 May 1979 in Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria, and raised in Lagos State, is an award-winning Nigerian actress, producer, and director widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry. She gained fame with blockbuster movies such as Sharon Stone, Ijele, and Blood Sisters, and became the first Nollywood actress signed by Lux as a global brand ambassador. In 2005, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actress, cementing her status as the “Julia Roberts of Africa,” a title given by Oprah Winfrey. Her directorial debut Lionheart (2018), starring Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh, and Onyeka Onwenu, made history as the first Netflix Original film from Nigeria and was selected as Nigeria’s submission for the 92nd Academy Awards (Oscars) in the Best International Feature Film category. Nnaji has collaborated with leading Nollywood actors including Ramsey Nouah, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Desmond Elliot, and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, while also advocating for women’s empowerment, film industry reforms, and African storytelling on global platforms like Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and Cannes Film Festival. Honored with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the Government of Nigeria, Genevieve Nnaji remains a cultural icon whose work continues to bridge African cinema with Hollywood and international audiences.
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| Genevieve Nnaji |
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| Genevieve Nnaji |
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| Genevieve Nnaji |
