TV soaps is one of the thriving sectors in Nigerian movie industry and its replete with seasoned actors who have made a great impact with their skills. In this piece, City People’s VIVIAN ONUORAH profiles the leading female stars of TV soaps in Nigeria.
CAROL KING
Star actress Carol King is a seasoned thespian best known for her role as “Jumoke” in the TV series Everyday People. She has also featured in several soap operas and movies including The Gods Are Still Not To Blame and Dazzling Mirage, a 2014 drama film directed by Tunde Kelani. Carol’s acting career began after she attended an audition for a radio drama titled I Need To Know before she went on to become a household name after her role in the TV series Everyday People. She has starred in several stage plays, dramas, and movies including Dazzling Mirage, Pasito Dehinde and The Gods Are Still Not To Blame .
FUNKE ADEPEGBA
She is been acting now for decades and she has come to make a name for herself in Soaps.
She has acted in so many soaps over the last 10 years. A few months back, City People honoured her at its Movie Awards.
GLORIA YOUNG
Veteran actress Gloria Young kicked off her career with the popular The Charly Boy Show before transitioning into Nollywood by starring in the popular movie Glamour Girls among several others.. She has featured in many TV soaps and is touted for her impeccable diction.. She is happily married to a seasoned actor Norbert Young and they are among the few celebrated couples in the entertainment industry.
FUNMI HOLDER
Tinsel star actress Funmi Holder, is a graduate of Microbiology from the University of Ibadan. She started acting as an undergraduate at the University of Ibadan with a first lead role in a movie produced by Madu Chikwendu titled “Bound by Destiny”. Funmi Holder came into limelight in the movie titled “After the Promise” where she also played a lead character. She is one of the major casts of the M-Net produced soap, “Tinsel”, playing the role as Amaka Okoh.
TOYIN ALAUSA
Pretty actress and mother Toyin who hails from Ijebu Ode in Ogun State is one of the hot faces rocking TV Soaps. She started acting in the 90s, featuring in Tales By Moonlight, Edge of Paradise,Treasures,Family Ties, Super Story among others.
FUMILOLA AFOIYEBI
Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, , is a Nigerian actress renowned for her ingenuity in acting. She started acting at an early stage and today ranks among the best in Nigeria. She is married to advertising guru Olayinka Rahimi.
ROSE IDIKA
Delta State-born actress Rose Odika is one of the popular acts in the movie industry. She started acting 22 years ago and has featured in several movies and TV series.
JAIYE KUTI
Nollywood Actress Jaiye Kuti is one bold actress who is loved by many .A native of Ilaro in Ogun State, she has featured in several soaps and movies as well.
TINA MBA
Tina Mba is a popular Nollywood actress and producer.. She has starred in big blockbusters including Make a Move, Tango with Me and The Tenant. She is a seasoned actress with a wealth of skills in both stage and TV productions.
LANRE HASSAN
Lanre Adesina Hassan popularly called Iya Awero is a veteran actress, who features majorly in the Yoruba movies and English TV soaps as well. She started her career with the Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group.
ADA AMEH
Ada Ameh is an actress popular for playing comic roles. She hails from Idoma, Benue State Nigeria She launched into acting through Zeb Ejiro’s Domitila.She currently plays a lead role in the popular The Johnsons family drama.
THELMA OKODUWA
Pretty actress Thelma Okoduwa is another hot sensation rocking the Nigerian movie industry.The light skinned beauty who hails from Uromi Ishan in Edo State, studied Computer Science at Uniport. She has featured in many series including Spider, Family Ties, Tinsel , Hush among others.
MEMUNA YAHAYA
Popular actress, Memuna Yahaya is another house hold name when it comes to TV Soaps. She made her debut in the long rested television soap, After the Storm, and has featured in several other series.
TOYIN ADEWALE
Star actress, Toyin Adewale is a household name in the Yoruba movie industry and also features in several TV soaps. She is the mother of popular music star Mayokun.
IRETI DOYLE
Veteran actress Ireti Doyle also makes the list.She was born in Ondo State but spent her early years with her family in Boston, United States.. After returning to Nigeria, she attended Christ’s School Ado Ekiti and graduated from the University of Jos with a degree in Theatre Arts.She is one of the lead stars in Tinsel.
MOYINOLUWA OLUTAYO
Nollywood actress Moyinoluwa Olutayo, is another seasoned actress whose face is seen in many TV soaps. She plays a lead character in the popular Dear Mother series.
SHAFFY BELLO
Shaffy Bello is a Nigerian film actress and singer. She first shot into the entertainment scene when she featured vocals in a 1997 hit song by Seyi Sodimu titled “Love Me Jeje”.Shaffy grew up in the United States of America where she completed her education. She made her transition to movies not too long ago but she is sure growing by leaps. She has starred in several TV soaps and movies as well..
YINKA OLUKUNGA,
Pretty actress Yinka Olukunga is the face of the popular Wale Adenuga series (Nnenna and friends) which shot her to limelight.She got married to her heartthrob, Rotimi in 2014 and recently welcomed her set of twins..
KEHINDE BANKOLE
Kehinde Bankole is a Nigerian actress, model and television host. She made her entertainment debut in the 2003 Miss Commonwealth Nigeria beauty contest, then proceeded to the 2004 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant. She made her acting debut during her reign as Lux ambassador in the family drama Super story, Everything it Takes. She has also starred in other Wale Adenuga’s productions like Papa Ajasco and This Life.
