Nigerian Actresses And Their Role Models ( Photos ) - Celebrities

Many people, especially young ones, see celebrities as their role models.
It's worthy of note that celebrities themselves also have their own role models, who they look up to.
Here are some Nigerian actresses and their role models:

OMOTOLA JOLADE EKEINDE

The super star actress, Omosexy as she's fondly called, has Beyonce, Madona and Justin Timberlake as her role models.
Read below what she had to say about them:

With Beyonce’s portrait on your wall, I can tell she’s your favourite international artiste, right?Yeah, she’s my number one and Madonna too though, as an extension. I grow every day. I’m actually growing into myself. I totally love Beyonce, just like I like Justin Timberlake. I totally love them both. I love Beyonce’s music and her personality. I don’t easily like things. I don’t even know about the similarities between her and myself. But I won’t deny her. I like her and I love her. I’m not trying to be like her. She’s Beyonce and I’m Omotola.

GENEVIEVE NNAJI

The Julia Roberts of Africa, Genevieve, has top Yoruba actress, Shola Shobowale as her role model. Genevieve sometime ago posted a picture of herself with Shola Shobowale with the following words:"God knows I love this woman".

MERCY JOHNSON

Industry followers are aware that Mercy Johnson developed keen interest in acting after watching one of the films staring Genevieve Nnaji.
She sees Ms Nnaji as her role model. No wonder she broke out in tears upon sighting Genevieve at her wedding reception few years back. She spoke about her role model, Genevieve, in an interview:

Let’s talk a bit about your career and what brought you into the limelight. What inspired you to take up acting as a profession?

I’ve had too many criticisms for saying this but I actually had just one inspiration and it was Genevieve Nnaji. When I got into Nollywood, lots of things later inspired me to do the things I do but she triggered my interest. I watched her in the movie “Sharon Stone” and I knew I wanted to act.

You were inspired to act by Genevieve Nnaji and now you inspire other people to take their chances in the movie industry. How does this make you feel?

I feel awesome, it’s a privilege. I hold her in a very high esteem. She taught me a lot whenever we had a chance to work together. She would say “Oh no, do it this way” or I’d just stand and stare at her while she worked and learn a lot. So now it’s a pleasure when some young girls tell me they are inspired by my work. When my colleagues applaud me, it’s fulfilling and I’m grateful that I can make an impact.

You speak so fondly of Genevieve. What is the relationship like between both of you now?

She is like a rock; I can always run to her when I’m in a tough corner, anytime.

CHIKA IKE
Everybody knows that Chika's role model is Kim Kardasian. She once tweeted at Kim and got a re-tweet from Kim. She recently released a Kim K's inspired photoshoot.

MONALISA CHINDA

Who are your role models?

Joke Silva. I love her because she has gone through a lot as a married woman and as a celebrity. She is one person I aspire to be like. Another lady I admire very much is the lady who runs the Little Saints Orphanage (Rev. Dele George). She is amazing.

RITA DOMINIC

Rita Dominic Nwaturuocha's role model is veteran actress, Joke Silva.
Rita Dominic named her film company – the Audrey Silva company after her role model, Joke Silva.

TONTO DIKEH

Pokolee sometime ago tweeted about her role models.
Tonto tweeted,
"Just so you know @Uche Jombo Is the only actress I owe loyalty to. Rita Dominic I love and I am obsessed with Genevieve. POKO."

OMONI OBOLI

If you could choose, name one actor you would really want to work with here in Nollywood or Hollywood, and why?

My role model is Tyler Perry and I would love to work with him. His road to success inspires me and his kinds of movies are not very far from where we are right now. His movies are drama driven and that’s where Nollywood is strong.

Nigerian actress, Omoni Oboli, in a personal letter of acknowledgement, has commended colleague Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, describing her as a role model, who has paved the way for up and coming acts in the industry to grow. I will continue to celebrate these icons that I consider to be the true role models for our youth to emulate in our nation. One such icon is our very own Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. The original Omosexy, who has been tagged the African Magic.

Omotola waltzed into the movie industry before it was nicknamed Nollywood and took her place at the top of the industry as a leading lady like she actually owned the place. She fits into it easily like one who knew that she was born to do this. Her consistency at the top is evidence of her prowess at delivering every role consistently from when she stole our hearts in the movie Mortal Inheritance.

The ever-growing fans of Nollywood have been held spellbound by her believability in all her varied roles. At such a young age when many didn’t know their left from right, she understood the responsibility that came with being the leading lady.
We saw her cry, laugh, rejoice, explore and display other emotions and adventures that Nollywood has been consistently propelling us actors through in the last 21 years of its existence so that we have come to believe that we know her personally.

With her own style and wits, Omotola has somehow shown us her life and yet kept the personal bit intact, even though she got into marriage at an age many consider to be too young. She has stayed in the marriage when many casualties of failed marriages litter our nation and our industry. She simply defied the odds! Even though pilots are reputed to be philanderers, she has been successfully married to one for many years. Actors have a global reputation of divorces, citing the flimsiest excuses for their actions, but she has been steadfast in her marriage."

FUNKE AKINDELE

Funke opened up on her influences in Nollywood citing the likes of Kunle Afolayan, and veterans Liz Benson, Olu Jacobs and most especially Joke Silva.‘As an actress, I’ve always loved Aunty Joke Silva, Uncle Olu Jacobs. I just featured in a movie which she also starred in, I was star struck when I saw her. I was so happy, I felt fulfilled acting with her. She is someone I respect so much‘, the ‘Jenifa’ star said.

CYNTHIA AGHOLOR

Who are your role models in the industry?

Joke Silva and Liz Benson are my role models.

OGE OKOYE

Asked to name her role models, Oge says that they are legion. But she lists the Hollywood actress Julia Roberts, Nigeria's Taiwo Ajai Lycett, Liz Benson and the veteran actor 'Uncle' Olu Jacobs as actors that have had tremendous influence on her.

She added: "I love Uncle Olu Jacobs. He is like a father to me. He talks to me from time to time on how to be better."I recall that one thing that he told me that has sort of guided me is the fact that I must never strive to be like anyone but myself. That's my word for anyone who wants to come into the industry.My word for them is that theyshouldn't come into the industry to be like my role model Liz Benson or like Auntie Taiwo Ajai Lycett. They should create their style and be themselves. They should do their own thing and aim at being better than those on the turf."