Culled From PM News
“It’s a man’s world,” so the saying goes. But
this is not the case in the Nigerian film industry,
also known as Nollywood, where more
actresses are now calling the shots and living
in opulence, while their male counterparts play
second fiddle
CHIKA IKE
Chika Ike is not your A-List class actress. She
has not won any award or released any
blockbuster. But in the last few months, the
actress has featured prominently in celebrity
magazines and gossip blogs because of her
rising profile in the movie industry. Indeed the
actress could be said to be on cloud nine as
news around her private life has been close to
that of a Hollywood fairy tale lifestyle.
With her array of luxury cars parked in her
garage, a recent buzz over claim of N5 million
cheque being paid to her to shave off her hair
for a role in an upcoming movie, and the recent
reports of her new multi-million naira home in
upscale Lekki in Lagos last week, 28-year old
Chika could be said to be living large.
The house, P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe
learnt, has a swimming pool, gym room, private
office, car port, garden, massive walk-in closet
and a state-of-the-art interior.
Chika’s new status as a landlady in that posh
area was achieved not too long after her
colleague in the movie industry, star actress
Genevieve Nnaji, excited her parents by
relocating them from their home in Egbeda, a
Lagos suburb, to a new building in the same
upscale Lekki. Her aged parents are in their late
60s and 70s respectively. Her siblings also
benefited from her large heart.
It was learnt that Genevieve had in recent time
found it challenging to check on her parents
due to the distance between them. Besides, she
felt her dad who could hardly walk due to old
age needed to be closer to her to receive
adequate medical care.
Genevieve, 34, who presently resides in another
upscale Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, remains one of
the richest in her trade. She’s mostly
chauffeured in various expensive automobiles
but has preference for a Toyota Landcruiser
with a plain-cloth policeman always on her
entourage as escort.
In early May, Mercy Johnson and her husband,
Prince Odinosein Okojie, moved from their
Omole Estate home to a new lush house at
Thomas Estate in Lekki, Lagos. The actress,
who recently had a baby girl in the United
States, hosted some friends and family to a
house-warming cum child dedication party at
the new mansion that befits the star she is.
Funke Akindele
It is not only English-speaking movie
Nollywood actresses who are living life to the
fullest in Lekki and Ikoyi axis of Lagos. Some
Yoruba-speaking actresses are fast joining the
train. After her lavish wedding last year, popular
Yoruba actress and producer, Funke Akindele,
and her husband, Kenny Oloyede, decided to
reside in Lekki.
Apart from her movies grossing millions of naira
both at the box office and DVD sales, Funke is
also brands’ sweetheart. With a rich portfolio of
top brands including Globacom, Klin,
Jobberman, and recently Vitafoam, choosing
her as their ambassador, Funke, popularly
known as ‘Jenifa’, has emerged one of the
richest actresses both in the English and
Yoruba speaking genres of Nollywood.
And with
this, she can afford to live in opulence.
Funke also now has as neighbour in the
highbrow area, fellow actress Toyin Aimakhu.
The recently married actress and producer has
equally picked one of the estates in Lekki Phase
1 as her abode. Toyin not only moved into the
rich neighbourhood, she equally joined the
league of actresses who earn extra income
aside acting by opening a fashion store in the
same Lekki neighbourhood.
A source told P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe
that Toyin’s new multi-million naira fashion
store, TAJ Dresses, stocks various kinds of
dresses for all occasions.
Prior to the present paternity mess rocking
Laide Bakare’s life, which has forced the
actress to relocate to the United States for the
delivery of her new baby, the actress also
resided in Lekki. She also has her office and
studio located within the Peninsula.
P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe checks revealed
that in spite of the glut being experienced in the
Nigerian movie industry, there are at least 50
actresses either owning their buildings or
paying huge rents for apartments in many of
the posh estates across Lekki, VGC and Ajah
axis, and in Ikoyi.
Other actresses who live in these upscale
areas include beautiful Monalisa Chinda, who
has been living in the area as far back as 2009;
Kate Henshaw; Ufuoma Ejenobor; Stephanie
Okereke-Linus; Oge Okoye; Uche Jombo;
Chelsea Eze and Tonto Dikeh.
While many pundits agreed that the
entertainment industry is controlled by the male
folk, the female entertainers seem to be the
ones favoured by fortunes as they smile more
to the bank, live a life of luxury, drive fast cars
and Sport Utility Vehicles. And some of them
who were lucky to have partners, had fabulous
weddings. To many of their male folks, this
wide gulf in terms of swimming in wealth and
luxury has provoked worries. “The reason for
the disparity is not far-fetched. It is a common
belief that most Nigerian actresses don’t live
on what they earn from acting as that alone
could not sustain the high standard of living
they project to their fans. It is also evident that
most of these actresses engage in ‘runs’ (other
quick ways of making money) to augment the
meagre funds they earn from movies,” said a
female entertainment journalist who wants to
remain anonymous.
She added: “Many of them cannot command a
fee of N500,000, yet they cruise around in
expensive luxury cars way beyond their means,
dress to kill in designer wears and live in posh
areas. Their lifestyle contrasts sharply with the
output of their creative works.”
Adeyemi Oladeinde, movie journalist and critic,
said naturally it is easier for ladies generally to
make it because they have things easier,
including in the movie industry.
“It is a known fact that many of the marketers
prefer to ‘help’ the actresses. The reason so
many of them, especially in the Yoruba genre
are becoming producers. If you are not a
popular actor, you might not get such
opportunity and so you continue to move round
in circles while your female counterparts
progress,” Oladeinde told P.M.NEWS
Entertainment Cafe.
He continued: “Many of the rich men around
also prefer to associate financially with
females, especially if you are single and
beautiful. How many rich women would do that
for a single male? All the indices favour
actresses to the detriment of their male folks.”
MONALISA CHINDA
Gbenga Bada of Movie Moments, an online
portal, said from the inception of what is now
known as Nollywood, female players have
consistently fared better than their male
colleagues.
“The females have shone brightly as a result of
their beauty attributes. This has endeared them
to moneybags who want to be associated with
them. The proceeds they get with their
earnings are used by some to establish
businesses such as fashion stores, wine bars,
supermarkets and other ventures,” Bada noted.
Popular movie actor, Leo Mezie believes many
of the actresses have less responsibilities and
they can afford to live extravagant lifestyles.
“Many of these my female colleagues are not
their families’ breadwinners. The actresses
either have husbands or boyfriends who make
things happen for them. In the case of men,
they to provide for their women- wives or
girlfriends. Apart from their little income from
movie roles, most actresses are pampered by
their husbands, fiancés, boyfriends, admirers
and even politicians including governors,”
Mezie said.
Samuel Olatunji, a journalist with TheSun
newspaper, said the actresses are bound to live
better than their male counterparts because
they get more jobs in terms of movie roles.
“Roles are limited for male. If you check an
average movie, you will see more female than
male. Secondly, most of them have fewer
responsibilities compared to their male
counterparts. An actress most often has
someone footing the bill(husband, boyfriend or
admirer), while the guys on the other hand
have school fees, bills and concubines’ bill to
pay,” Olatunji submitted.
For those saying it’s a man’s world, Mike
Alonge, blogger and movie critic, begs to differ.
“It is women’s world these days and you
should expect them to dominate in all areas,
professions or organisations. Even in church
today, they occupy 70 percent of the seats,”
Alonge said.
According to him, the global entertainment
industry thrives on beauty and largely, sex.
These women, including Nigerian actresses
understand this, and they are ever willing to
take advantage of it.
“The actresses have a unique selling point
which is their beauties. Even a blind man can
identify a beautiful lady when he touches one.
So, their beauty has been the major attraction
and their unique selling point globally and
Nigeria is no exception. So definitely, they will
keep living better than their male counterparts
until proper structures are put in place to favour
everyone as it is the case in Hollywood,” Alonge
submitted.
Nuella Njubigbo
Nigerian Actresses Live Large, Actors
Play Second Fiddle
Published on June 21, 2013 by pmnews · 2
Comments
“It’s a man’s world,” so the saying goes. But
this is not the case in the Nigerian film industry,
also known as Nollywood, where more
actresses are now calling the shots and living
in opulence, while their male counterparts play
second fiddle
Chika Ike is not your A-List class actress. She
has not won any award or released any
blockbuster. But in the last few months, the
actress has featured prominently in celebrity
magazines and gossip blogs because of her
rising profile in the movie industry. Indeed the
actress could be said to be on cloud nine as
news around her private life has been close to
that of a Hollywood fairy tale lifestyle.
With her array of luxury cars parked in her
garage, a recent buzz over claim of N5 million
cheque being paid to her to shave off her hair
for a role in an upcoming movie, and the recent
reports of her new multi-million naira home in
upscale Lekki in Lagos last week, 28-year old
Chika could be said to be living large.
The house, P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe
learnt, has a swimming pool, gym room, private
office, car port, garden, massive walk-in closet
and a state-of-the-art interior.
Chika’s new status as a landlady in that posh
area was achieved not too long after her
colleague in the movie industry, star actress
Genevieve Nnaji, excited her parents by
relocating them from their home in Egbeda, a
Lagos suburb, to a new building in the same
upscale Lekki. Her aged parents are in their late
60s and 70s respectively. Her siblings also
benefited from her large heart.
It was learnt that Genevieve had in recent time
found it challenging to check on her parents
due to the distance between them. Besides, she
felt her dad who could hardly walk due to old
age needed to be closer to her to receive
adequate medical care.
Genevieve, 34, who presently resides in another
upscale Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, remains one of
the richest in her trade. She’s mostly
chauffeured in various expensive automobiles
but has preference for a Toyota Landcruiser
with a plain-cloth policeman always on her
entourage as escort.
In early May, Mercy Johnson and her husband,
Prince Odinosein Okojie, moved from their
Omole Estate home to a new lush house at
Thomas Estate in Lekki, Lagos. The actress,
who recently had a baby girl in the United
States, hosted some friends and family to a
house-warming cum child dedication party at
the new mansion that befits the star she is.
It is not only English-speaking movie
Nollywood actresses who are living life to the
fullest in Lekki and Ikoyi axis of Lagos. Some
Yoruba-speaking actresses are fast joining the
train. After her lavish wedding last year, popular
Yoruba actress and producer, Funke Akindele,
and her husband, Kenny Oloyede, decided to
reside in Lekki.
Apart from her movies grossing millions of naira
both at the box office and DVD sales, Funke is
also brands’ sweetheart. With a rich portfolio of
top brands including Globacom, Klin,
Jobberman, and recently Vitafoam, choosing
her as their ambassador, Funke, popularly
known as ‘Jenifa’, has emerged one of the
richest actresses both in the English and
Yoruba speaking genres of Nollywood. And with
this, she can afford to live in opulence.
Funke also now has as neighbour in the
highbrow area, fellow actress Toyin Aimakhu.
The recently married actress and producer has
equally picked one of the estates in Lekki Phase
1 as her abode. Toyin not only moved into the
rich neighbourhood, she equally joined the
league of actresses who earn extra income
aside acting by opening a fashion store in the
same Lekki neighbourhood.
A source told P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe
that Toyin’s new multi-million naira fashion
store, TAJ Dresses, stocks various kinds of
dresses for all occasions.
Prior to the present paternity mess rocking
Laide Bakare’s life, which has forced the
actress to relocate to the United States for the
delivery of her new baby, the actress also
resided in Lekki. She also has her office and
studio located within the Peninsula.
P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe checks revealed
that in spite of the glut being experienced in the
Nigerian movie industry, there are at least 50
actresses either owning their buildings or
paying huge rents for apartments in many of
the posh estates across Lekki, VGC and Ajah
axis, and in Ikoyi.
Other actresses who live in these upscale
areas include beautiful Monalisa Chinda, who
has been living in the area as far back as 2009;
Kate Henshaw; Ufuoma Ejenobor; Stephanie
Okereke-Linus; Oge Okoye; Uche Jombo;
Chelsea Eze and Tonto Dikeh.
While many pundits agreed that the
entertainment industry is controlled by the male
folk, the female entertainers seem to be the
ones favoured by fortunes as they smile more
to the bank, live a life of luxury, drive fast cars
and Sport Utility Vehicles. And some of them
who were lucky to have partners, had fabulous
weddings. To many of their male folks, this
wide gulf in terms of swimming in wealth and
luxury has provoked worries. “The reason for
the disparity is not far-fetched. It is a common
belief that most Nigerian actresses don’t live
on what they earn from acting as that alone
could not sustain the high standard of living
they project to their fans. It is also evident that
most of these actresses engage in ‘runs’ (other
quick ways of making money) to augment the
meagre funds they earn from movies,” said a
female entertainment journalist who wants to
remain anonymous.
She added: “Many of them cannot command a
fee of N500,000, yet they cruise around in
expensive luxury cars way beyond their means,
dress to kill in designer wears and live in posh
areas. Their lifestyle contrasts sharply with the
output of their creative works.”
Adeyemi Oladeinde, movie journalist and critic,
said naturally it is easier for ladies generally to
make it because they have things easier,
including in the movie industry.
“It is a known fact that many of the marketers
prefer to ‘help’ the actresses. The reason so
many of them, especially in the Yoruba genre
are becoming producers. If you are not a
popular actor, you might not get such
opportunity and so you continue to move round
in circles while your female counterparts
progress,” Oladeinde told P.M.NEWS
Entertainment Cafe.
He continued: “Many of the rich men around
also prefer to associate financially with
females, especially if you are single and
beautiful. How many rich women would do that
for a single male? All the indices favour
actresses to the detriment of their male folks.”
Gbenga Bada of Movie Moments, an online
portal, said from the inception of what is now
known as Nollywood, female players have
consistently fared better than their male
colleagues.
“The females have shone brightly as a result of
their beauty attributes. This has endeared them
to moneybags who want to be associated with
them. The proceeds they get with their
earnings are used by some to establish
businesses such as fashion stores, wine bars,
supermarkets and other ventures,” Bada noted.
Popular movie actor, Leo Mezie believes many
of the actresses have less responsibilities and
they can afford to live extravagant lifestyles.
“Many of these my female colleagues are not
their families’ breadwinners. The actresses
either have husbands or boyfriends who make
things happen for them. In the case of men,
they to provide for their women- wives or
girlfriends. Apart from their little income from
movie roles, most actresses are pampered by
their husbands, fiancés, boyfriends, admirers
and even politicians including governors,”
Mezie said.
Samuel Olatunji, a journalist with TheSun
newspaper, said the actresses are bound to live
better than their male counterparts because
they get more jobs in terms of movie roles.
“Roles are limited for male. If you check an
average movie, you will see more female than
male. Secondly, most of them have fewer
responsibilities compared to their male
counterparts. An actress most often has
someone footing the bill(husband, boyfriend or
admirer), while the guys on the other hand
have school fees, bills and concubines’ bill to
pay,” Olatunji submitted.
For those saying it’s a man’s world, Mike
Alonge, blogger and movie critic, begs to differ.
“It is women’s world these days and you
should expect them to dominate in all areas,
professions or organisations. Even in church
today, they occupy 70 percent of the seats,”
Alonge said.
According to him, the global entertainment
industry thrives on beauty and largely, sex.
These women, including Nigerian actresses
understand this, and they are ever willing to
take advantage of it.
“The actresses have a unique selling point
which is their beauties. Even a blind man can
identify a beautiful lady when he touches one.
So, their beauty has been the major attraction
and their unique selling point globally and
Nigeria is no exception. So definitely, they will
keep living better than their male counterparts
until proper structures are put in place to favour
everyone as it is the case in Hollywood,” Alonge
submitted.
In her own defence, Nuella Njubigbo said
contrary to what critics say about her and other
fellow actresses, many of the actresses work
hard on locations to live the kind of life
considered extravagant and beyond their
means.
“I can only speak for myself. I have other
businesses that I do by the side. But even if it’s
just acting, what I earn can actually get me
such car and even enable me live well. Those
saying all that, I am not sure they have gone to
the market to see the number of movies I have
done in the last one year. I have done a lot,”
Nuella told P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe.
But for how long will this disparity continue and
when will the fans begin to see their favourite
actors live a life of opulence like their female
counterparts? Olatunji said: “Since the industry
is controlled largely by men, and it is a
common knowledge that men like doing
business with women, it becomes obvious why
the anomaly will continue.”
“It’s a man’s world,” so the saying goes. But
this is not the case in the Nigerian film industry,
also known as Nollywood, where more
actresses are now calling the shots and living
in opulence, while their male counterparts play
second fiddle
CHIKA IKE
Chika Ike is not your A-List class actress. She
has not won any award or released any
blockbuster. But in the last few months, the
actress has featured prominently in celebrity
magazines and gossip blogs because of her
rising profile in the movie industry. Indeed the
actress could be said to be on cloud nine as
news around her private life has been close to
that of a Hollywood fairy tale lifestyle.
With her array of luxury cars parked in her
garage, a recent buzz over claim of N5 million
cheque being paid to her to shave off her hair
for a role in an upcoming movie, and the recent
reports of her new multi-million naira home in
upscale Lekki in Lagos last week, 28-year old
Chika could be said to be living large.
The house, P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe
learnt, has a swimming pool, gym room, private
office, car port, garden, massive walk-in closet
and a state-of-the-art interior.
Chika’s new status as a landlady in that posh
area was achieved not too long after her
colleague in the movie industry, star actress
Genevieve Nnaji, excited her parents by
relocating them from their home in Egbeda, a
Lagos suburb, to a new building in the same
upscale Lekki. Her aged parents are in their late
60s and 70s respectively. Her siblings also
benefited from her large heart.
It was learnt that Genevieve had in recent time
found it challenging to check on her parents
due to the distance between them. Besides, she
felt her dad who could hardly walk due to old
age needed to be closer to her to receive
adequate medical care.
Genevieve, 34, who presently resides in another
upscale Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, remains one of
the richest in her trade. She’s mostly
chauffeured in various expensive automobiles
but has preference for a Toyota Landcruiser
with a plain-cloth policeman always on her
entourage as escort.
In early May, Mercy Johnson and her husband,
Prince Odinosein Okojie, moved from their
Omole Estate home to a new lush house at
Thomas Estate in Lekki, Lagos. The actress,
who recently had a baby girl in the United
States, hosted some friends and family to a
house-warming cum child dedication party at
the new mansion that befits the star she is.
Funke Akindele
It is not only English-speaking movie
Nollywood actresses who are living life to the
fullest in Lekki and Ikoyi axis of Lagos. Some
Yoruba-speaking actresses are fast joining the
train. After her lavish wedding last year, popular
Yoruba actress and producer, Funke Akindele,
and her husband, Kenny Oloyede, decided to
reside in Lekki.
Apart from her movies grossing millions of naira
both at the box office and DVD sales, Funke is
also brands’ sweetheart. With a rich portfolio of
top brands including Globacom, Klin,
Jobberman, and recently Vitafoam, choosing
her as their ambassador, Funke, popularly
known as ‘Jenifa’, has emerged one of the
richest actresses both in the English and
Yoruba speaking genres of Nollywood.
And with
this, she can afford to live in opulence.
Funke also now has as neighbour in the
highbrow area, fellow actress Toyin Aimakhu.
The recently married actress and producer has
equally picked one of the estates in Lekki Phase
1 as her abode. Toyin not only moved into the
rich neighbourhood, she equally joined the
league of actresses who earn extra income
aside acting by opening a fashion store in the
same Lekki neighbourhood.
A source told P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe
that Toyin’s new multi-million naira fashion
store, TAJ Dresses, stocks various kinds of
dresses for all occasions.
Prior to the present paternity mess rocking
Laide Bakare’s life, which has forced the
actress to relocate to the United States for the
delivery of her new baby, the actress also
resided in Lekki. She also has her office and
studio located within the Peninsula.
P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe checks revealed
that in spite of the glut being experienced in the
Nigerian movie industry, there are at least 50
actresses either owning their buildings or
paying huge rents for apartments in many of
the posh estates across Lekki, VGC and Ajah
axis, and in Ikoyi.
Other actresses who live in these upscale
areas include beautiful Monalisa Chinda, who
has been living in the area as far back as 2009;
Kate Henshaw; Ufuoma Ejenobor; Stephanie
Okereke-Linus; Oge Okoye; Uche Jombo;
Chelsea Eze and Tonto Dikeh.
While many pundits agreed that the
entertainment industry is controlled by the male
folk, the female entertainers seem to be the
ones favoured by fortunes as they smile more
to the bank, live a life of luxury, drive fast cars
and Sport Utility Vehicles. And some of them
who were lucky to have partners, had fabulous
weddings. To many of their male folks, this
wide gulf in terms of swimming in wealth and
luxury has provoked worries. “The reason for
the disparity is not far-fetched. It is a common
belief that most Nigerian actresses don’t live
on what they earn from acting as that alone
could not sustain the high standard of living
they project to their fans. It is also evident that
most of these actresses engage in ‘runs’ (other
quick ways of making money) to augment the
meagre funds they earn from movies,” said a
female entertainment journalist who wants to
remain anonymous.
She added: “Many of them cannot command a
fee of N500,000, yet they cruise around in
expensive luxury cars way beyond their means,
dress to kill in designer wears and live in posh
areas. Their lifestyle contrasts sharply with the
output of their creative works.”
Adeyemi Oladeinde, movie journalist and critic,
said naturally it is easier for ladies generally to
make it because they have things easier,
including in the movie industry.
“It is a known fact that many of the marketers
prefer to ‘help’ the actresses. The reason so
many of them, especially in the Yoruba genre
are becoming producers. If you are not a
popular actor, you might not get such
opportunity and so you continue to move round
in circles while your female counterparts
progress,” Oladeinde told P.M.NEWS
Entertainment Cafe.
He continued: “Many of the rich men around
also prefer to associate financially with
females, especially if you are single and
beautiful. How many rich women would do that
for a single male? All the indices favour
actresses to the detriment of their male folks.”
MONALISA CHINDA
Gbenga Bada of Movie Moments, an online
portal, said from the inception of what is now
known as Nollywood, female players have
consistently fared better than their male
colleagues.
“The females have shone brightly as a result of
their beauty attributes. This has endeared them
to moneybags who want to be associated with
them. The proceeds they get with their
earnings are used by some to establish
businesses such as fashion stores, wine bars,
supermarkets and other ventures,” Bada noted.
Popular movie actor, Leo Mezie believes many
of the actresses have less responsibilities and
they can afford to live extravagant lifestyles.
“Many of these my female colleagues are not
their families’ breadwinners. The actresses
either have husbands or boyfriends who make
things happen for them. In the case of men,
they to provide for their women- wives or
girlfriends. Apart from their little income from
movie roles, most actresses are pampered by
their husbands, fiancés, boyfriends, admirers
and even politicians including governors,”
Mezie said.
Samuel Olatunji, a journalist with TheSun
newspaper, said the actresses are bound to live
better than their male counterparts because
they get more jobs in terms of movie roles.
“Roles are limited for male. If you check an
average movie, you will see more female than
male. Secondly, most of them have fewer
responsibilities compared to their male
counterparts. An actress most often has
someone footing the bill(husband, boyfriend or
admirer), while the guys on the other hand
have school fees, bills and concubines’ bill to
pay,” Olatunji submitted.
For those saying it’s a man’s world, Mike
Alonge, blogger and movie critic, begs to differ.
“It is women’s world these days and you
should expect them to dominate in all areas,
professions or organisations. Even in church
today, they occupy 70 percent of the seats,”
Alonge said.
According to him, the global entertainment
industry thrives on beauty and largely, sex.
These women, including Nigerian actresses
understand this, and they are ever willing to
take advantage of it.
“The actresses have a unique selling point
which is their beauties. Even a blind man can
identify a beautiful lady when he touches one.
So, their beauty has been the major attraction
and their unique selling point globally and
Nigeria is no exception. So definitely, they will
keep living better than their male counterparts
until proper structures are put in place to favour
everyone as it is the case in Hollywood,” Alonge
submitted.
Nuella Njubigbo
Nigerian Actresses Live Large, Actors
Play Second Fiddle
Published on June 21, 2013 by pmnews · 2
Comments
“It’s a man’s world,” so the saying goes. But
this is not the case in the Nigerian film industry,
also known as Nollywood, where more
actresses are now calling the shots and living
in opulence, while their male counterparts play
second fiddle
Chika Ike is not your A-List class actress. She
has not won any award or released any
blockbuster. But in the last few months, the
actress has featured prominently in celebrity
magazines and gossip blogs because of her
rising profile in the movie industry. Indeed the
actress could be said to be on cloud nine as
news around her private life has been close to
that of a Hollywood fairy tale lifestyle.
With her array of luxury cars parked in her
garage, a recent buzz over claim of N5 million
cheque being paid to her to shave off her hair
for a role in an upcoming movie, and the recent
reports of her new multi-million naira home in
upscale Lekki in Lagos last week, 28-year old
Chika could be said to be living large.
The house, P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe
learnt, has a swimming pool, gym room, private
office, car port, garden, massive walk-in closet
and a state-of-the-art interior.
Chika’s new status as a landlady in that posh
area was achieved not too long after her
colleague in the movie industry, star actress
Genevieve Nnaji, excited her parents by
relocating them from their home in Egbeda, a
Lagos suburb, to a new building in the same
upscale Lekki. Her aged parents are in their late
60s and 70s respectively. Her siblings also
benefited from her large heart.
It was learnt that Genevieve had in recent time
found it challenging to check on her parents
due to the distance between them. Besides, she
felt her dad who could hardly walk due to old
age needed to be closer to her to receive
adequate medical care.
Genevieve, 34, who presently resides in another
upscale Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, remains one of
the richest in her trade. She’s mostly
chauffeured in various expensive automobiles
but has preference for a Toyota Landcruiser
with a plain-cloth policeman always on her
entourage as escort.
In early May, Mercy Johnson and her husband,
Prince Odinosein Okojie, moved from their
Omole Estate home to a new lush house at
Thomas Estate in Lekki, Lagos. The actress,
who recently had a baby girl in the United
States, hosted some friends and family to a
house-warming cum child dedication party at
the new mansion that befits the star she is.
It is not only English-speaking movie
Nollywood actresses who are living life to the
fullest in Lekki and Ikoyi axis of Lagos. Some
Yoruba-speaking actresses are fast joining the
train. After her lavish wedding last year, popular
Yoruba actress and producer, Funke Akindele,
and her husband, Kenny Oloyede, decided to
reside in Lekki.
Apart from her movies grossing millions of naira
both at the box office and DVD sales, Funke is
also brands’ sweetheart. With a rich portfolio of
top brands including Globacom, Klin,
Jobberman, and recently Vitafoam, choosing
her as their ambassador, Funke, popularly
known as ‘Jenifa’, has emerged one of the
richest actresses both in the English and
Yoruba speaking genres of Nollywood. And with
this, she can afford to live in opulence.
Funke also now has as neighbour in the
highbrow area, fellow actress Toyin Aimakhu.
The recently married actress and producer has
equally picked one of the estates in Lekki Phase
1 as her abode. Toyin not only moved into the
rich neighbourhood, she equally joined the
league of actresses who earn extra income
aside acting by opening a fashion store in the
same Lekki neighbourhood.
A source told P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe
that Toyin’s new multi-million naira fashion
store, TAJ Dresses, stocks various kinds of
dresses for all occasions.
Prior to the present paternity mess rocking
Laide Bakare’s life, which has forced the
actress to relocate to the United States for the
delivery of her new baby, the actress also
resided in Lekki. She also has her office and
studio located within the Peninsula.
P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe checks revealed
that in spite of the glut being experienced in the
Nigerian movie industry, there are at least 50
actresses either owning their buildings or
paying huge rents for apartments in many of
the posh estates across Lekki, VGC and Ajah
axis, and in Ikoyi.
Other actresses who live in these upscale
areas include beautiful Monalisa Chinda, who
has been living in the area as far back as 2009;
Kate Henshaw; Ufuoma Ejenobor; Stephanie
Okereke-Linus; Oge Okoye; Uche Jombo;
Chelsea Eze and Tonto Dikeh.
While many pundits agreed that the
entertainment industry is controlled by the male
folk, the female entertainers seem to be the
ones favoured by fortunes as they smile more
to the bank, live a life of luxury, drive fast cars
and Sport Utility Vehicles. And some of them
who were lucky to have partners, had fabulous
weddings. To many of their male folks, this
wide gulf in terms of swimming in wealth and
luxury has provoked worries. “The reason for
the disparity is not far-fetched. It is a common
belief that most Nigerian actresses don’t live
on what they earn from acting as that alone
could not sustain the high standard of living
they project to their fans. It is also evident that
most of these actresses engage in ‘runs’ (other
quick ways of making money) to augment the
meagre funds they earn from movies,” said a
female entertainment journalist who wants to
remain anonymous.
She added: “Many of them cannot command a
fee of N500,000, yet they cruise around in
expensive luxury cars way beyond their means,
dress to kill in designer wears and live in posh
areas. Their lifestyle contrasts sharply with the
output of their creative works.”
Adeyemi Oladeinde, movie journalist and critic,
said naturally it is easier for ladies generally to
make it because they have things easier,
including in the movie industry.
“It is a known fact that many of the marketers
prefer to ‘help’ the actresses. The reason so
many of them, especially in the Yoruba genre
are becoming producers. If you are not a
popular actor, you might not get such
opportunity and so you continue to move round
in circles while your female counterparts
progress,” Oladeinde told P.M.NEWS
Entertainment Cafe.
He continued: “Many of the rich men around
also prefer to associate financially with
females, especially if you are single and
beautiful. How many rich women would do that
for a single male? All the indices favour
actresses to the detriment of their male folks.”
Gbenga Bada of Movie Moments, an online
portal, said from the inception of what is now
known as Nollywood, female players have
consistently fared better than their male
colleagues.
“The females have shone brightly as a result of
their beauty attributes. This has endeared them
to moneybags who want to be associated with
them. The proceeds they get with their
earnings are used by some to establish
businesses such as fashion stores, wine bars,
supermarkets and other ventures,” Bada noted.
Popular movie actor, Leo Mezie believes many
of the actresses have less responsibilities and
they can afford to live extravagant lifestyles.
“Many of these my female colleagues are not
their families’ breadwinners. The actresses
either have husbands or boyfriends who make
things happen for them. In the case of men,
they to provide for their women- wives or
girlfriends. Apart from their little income from
movie roles, most actresses are pampered by
their husbands, fiancés, boyfriends, admirers
and even politicians including governors,”
Mezie said.
Samuel Olatunji, a journalist with TheSun
newspaper, said the actresses are bound to live
better than their male counterparts because
they get more jobs in terms of movie roles.
“Roles are limited for male. If you check an
average movie, you will see more female than
male. Secondly, most of them have fewer
responsibilities compared to their male
counterparts. An actress most often has
someone footing the bill(husband, boyfriend or
admirer), while the guys on the other hand
have school fees, bills and concubines’ bill to
pay,” Olatunji submitted.
For those saying it’s a man’s world, Mike
Alonge, blogger and movie critic, begs to differ.
“It is women’s world these days and you
should expect them to dominate in all areas,
professions or organisations. Even in church
today, they occupy 70 percent of the seats,”
Alonge said.
According to him, the global entertainment
industry thrives on beauty and largely, sex.
These women, including Nigerian actresses
understand this, and they are ever willing to
take advantage of it.
“The actresses have a unique selling point
which is their beauties. Even a blind man can
identify a beautiful lady when he touches one.
So, their beauty has been the major attraction
and their unique selling point globally and
Nigeria is no exception. So definitely, they will
keep living better than their male counterparts
until proper structures are put in place to favour
everyone as it is the case in Hollywood,” Alonge
submitted.
In her own defence, Nuella Njubigbo said
contrary to what critics say about her and other
fellow actresses, many of the actresses work
hard on locations to live the kind of life
considered extravagant and beyond their
means.
“I can only speak for myself. I have other
businesses that I do by the side. But even if it’s
just acting, what I earn can actually get me
such car and even enable me live well. Those
saying all that, I am not sure they have gone to
the market to see the number of movies I have
done in the last one year. I have done a lot,”
Nuella told P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe.
But for how long will this disparity continue and
when will the fans begin to see their favourite
actors live a life of opulence like their female
counterparts? Olatunji said: “Since the industry
is controlled largely by men, and it is a
common knowledge that men like doing
business with women, it becomes obvious why
the anomaly will continue.”
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