:Genevieve Nnaji

Nnaji was born in Mbaise, Imo State, located in the southeast region of Nigeria and grew up in Lagos, southwest Nigeria. The fourth of eight children, she was raised in a middle-class family; her father worked as an engineer and her mother was a nursery school teacher.{{Cite web|date=2015-10-05|title=Genevieve Nnaji – Bio, Daughter, Age, Married, Husband, Net Worth|url=https://buzznigeria.com/everything-you-must-know-about-the-legendary-genevieve-nnaji/|access-date=2021-03-23|website=BuzzNigeria - Famous People, Celebrity Bios, Updates and Trendy News|language=en-US|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421053001/https://buzznigeria.com/everything-you-must-know-about-the-legendary-genevieve-nnaji/|url-status=live}}

She attended Methodist Girls College (Yaba, Lagos), before proceeding to the University of Lagos, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in creative arts. While at the university, she began auditioning for acting jobs in Nollywood.

Nnaji started her acting career as a child actor in the then-popular television soap opera Ripples at the age of 8.{{cite web|url=http://www.mimimagazine.com/january2006/02-01-genevievennaji01.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113145755/http://www.mimimagazine.com/january2006/02-01-genevievennaji01.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 November 2007|title=MIMI Lifestyle Magazine, February 2006: Interview with Genevieve Nnaji|access-date=19 October 2009}} In 1998, at the age of 19 she was introduced into the growing Nigerian film industry with the movie Most Wanted.{{cite news|url=http://connecttheworld.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/27/future-connector-genevieve-nnaji/?iref=allsearch|title=Future Connector: Genevieve Nnaji|date=27 October 2010|work=CNN International|publisher=Turner Broadcasting System|access-date=7 March 2011|location=Atlanta, GA, USA|archive-date=8 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708170946/http://connecttheworld.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/27/future-connector-genevieve-nnaji/?iref=allsearch|url-status=dead}} Her subsequent movies include Last Party, Mark of the Beast and Ijele. In 2010, she starred in the award-winning film Ijé: The Journey. She has starred in over 200 Nollywood movies.{{Citation|last=Elliot|first=Desmond|title=Weekend Getaway|date=2013-10-29|url=https://www.amazon.com/Weekend-Getaway-Genevieve-Nnaji/dp/B00GHQY0G6|publisher=Royal Arts Academy|access-date=2021-05-19|archive-date=9 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209111730/https://www.amazon.com/Weekend-Getaway-Genevieve-Nnaji/dp/B00GHQY0G6|url-status=live}}

In 2004, Nnaji signed a recording contract with EKB Records; a Ghanaian record label, and released her debut album One Logologo Line.{{cite web|url=http://www.stayaround.com/genevieve-artist-660.html|title=Genevieve at Blue Pie Productions|access-date=19 October 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524230746/http://www.stayaround.com/genevieve-artist-660.html|archive-date=24 May 2012|url-status=dead}} It was a mix of R&B, hip-hop and urban music.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtraks.com/artist/genevieve/release/43321-one_logologo_line|title=Genevieve: One Logologo Line|access-date=19 October 2009|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203121936/http://www.mtraks.com/artist/genevieve/release/43321-one_logologo_line|archive-date=3 December 2008}} In 2004, Genevieve Nnaji was with the most votes after contending with other celebrities for the search for the face of Lux in 2004.{{Cite web|url=https://onlinenigeria.com/nm/templates/?a=1133|title=Face of Lux -Genevieve earns N20m|last=Daramola|first=Darw|date=2005|website=Online Nigeria|access-date=18 September 2019|archive-date=13 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413141519/https://onlinenigeria.com/nm/templates/?a=1133|url-status=live}}

In 2005, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actress in a Leading Role, becoming the first actress to win the award.{{cite news |last1=Polycarp |first1=Nwafor |title=Genevieve Nnaji marks 20 years in Nollywood |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/genevieve-nnaji-marks-20-years-in-nollywood/ |access-date=15 March 2019 |work=Vanguard News Nigeria |agency=Vanguard Media Limited, Nigeria |publisher=Vanguard Media Limited, Nigeria |date=2 January 2019 |archive-date=20 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320232558/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/genevieve-nnaji-marks-20-years-in-nollywood/ |url-status=live }}

File:Genevieve30.jpg

In 2009, Nnaji was one of the best-paid female actor in Nollywood.{{cite news|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/portfolio/2009/12/25/lagos-capitale-de-nollywood_1281595_3212.html|title=Lagos, capitale de Nollywood|last=Mignot|first=Elisa|date=25 December 2009|work=Le Monde|publisher=Éric Fottorino|page=16|language=fr|access-date=29 August 2010|location=Paris, France|quote=L'actrice la mieux payée du Nigeria, Genevieve Nnaji, est la vedette de Tango with me.|archive-date=6 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406153441/http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/portfolio/2009/12/25/lagos-capitale-de-nollywood_1281595_3212.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200807110891.html|title=Best Paid Nollywood Actresses Revealed|access-date=19 October 2009|website=AllAfrica.com|archive-date=11 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411161628/http://allafrica.com/stories/200807110891.html|url-status=live}} Due to her contributions to the Nigerian movie industry, she became the first actor to be awarded Best Actress at the 2001 City People's Awards, the award ceremony that previously had only recognised politicians and business conglomerates. She was also the first actor to be awarded as Best Actress by the Censors Board of Nigeria in 2003.{{Cite web |url=http://roadtoyesterday.com/ |title=Road to Yesterday | Road to Yesterday |access-date=21 April 2017 |archive-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206182350/http://roadtoyesterday.com/ |url-status=live }} In 2009, she was referred to as the Julia Roberts of Africa by Oprah Winfrey.{{cite web|url=http://www.konnectafrica.net/genevieve-nnaji-is-she-the-julia-roberts-of-africa|title=Genevieve Nnaji: Is She The 'Julia Roberts' of Africa?|website=Konnectafrica.net|date=14 February 2013|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=23 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223232628/http://www.konnectafrica.net/genevieve-nnaji-is-she-the-julia-roberts-of-africa|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2009/09/29/genevieve-nnaji-featured-on-the-oprah-winfrey-show|title=Genevieve Nnaji featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show|website=Bellanaija.com|date=29 September 2009|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=28 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151228191745/http://www.bellanaija.com/2009/09/29/genevieve-nnaji-featured-on-the-oprah-winfrey-show/|url-status=live}}

In November 2015, Nnaji produced her first movie called Road to Yesterday,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2015/09/genevieve-nnaji-is-back-get-the-exclusive-scoop-on-her-new-movie-road-to-yesterday-watch-the-trailer/|title=Genevieve Nnaji is Back! Get the Exclusive Scoop on her New Movie 'Road to Yesterday' & Watch the Teaser Trailer|website=www.bellanaija.com|date=29 September 2015|access-date=24 May 2018|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524152040/https://www.bellanaija.com/2015/09/genevieve-nnaji-is-back-get-the-exclusive-scoop-on-her-new-movie-road-to-yesterday-watch-the-trailer/|url-status=live}} later winning Best Movie Overall -West Africa at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards.

In January 2018, it was reported that Nnaji would be replacing Funke Akindele as a member of the Dora Milaje in Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War. This was later debunked as an internet prank and the actor did not appear in the movie.{{Citation|title=Avengers: Infinity War (2018)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4154756/fullcredits|access-date=22 November 2018|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224180534/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4154756/fullcredits|url-status=live}}

On 7 September 2018, her directorial debut Lionheart was acquired by online streaming service Netflix, making it the first Netflix original film from Nigeria.{{Cite news|url=https://www.channelstv.com/2018/09/08/netflix-acquires-worldwide-rights-to-genevieve-nnajis-lionheart/|title=Netflix Acquires Worldwide Rights To Genevieve Nnaji's 'Lionheart' • Channels Television|date=8 September 2018|work=Channels Television|access-date=8 September 2018|archive-date=8 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908224900/https://www.channelstv.com/2018/09/08/netflix-acquires-worldwide-rights-to-genevieve-nnajis-lionheart/|url-status=live}} The movie had its world premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, alongside Farming, the Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje's autobiographical directorial debut where she starred in alongside Kate Beckinsale, Damson Idris and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.{{Cite web |last=Nigeria |first=Guardian |date=2019-07-18 |title=Watch: Genevieve Nnaji, Kate Beckinsale, Others Starr In "Farming" |url=https://guardian.ng/life/genevieve-nnaji-kate-beckinsale-others-starr-in-farming/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}

Nnaji is also a women's activist. She advocates for Nigerian girls to be able to have a say in who they choose to marry. She is against early marriages for the girl child. She advocates against the abuse of women in society.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfqJe9NmaZs|title=Nollywood star Genevieve Nnaji advocates for girls rights|last=UNICEF Innocenti|date=2014|website=YouTube|access-date=18 September 2019|archive-date=9 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209062517/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfqJe9NmaZs|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.unicef-irc.org/video/?videoId=KfqJe9NmaZs|title=Nollywood Star Genevieve Nnaji Advocates for Girls Rights|website=UNICEF|access-date=18 September 2019|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108101853/https://www.unicef-irc.org/video/?videoId=KfqJe9NmaZs|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/entertainment/2015/October-27th/i-am-a-strong-advocate-of-social-justice-genevieve-nnaji.php|title=I am a strong advocate of social justice - Genevieve Nnaji|date=2015|work=MyJoyOnline|access-date=18 September 2019|archive-date=5 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205125015/http://www.myjoyonline.com/entertainment/2015/October-27th/i-am-a-strong-advocate-of-social-justice-genevieve-nnaji.php|url-status=dead}} Furthermore, Nnaji is a strong feminist. She states her type of feminism is the woman who has the right to make her own choices and do whatever she feels like.{{Cite news|url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/entertainment/2019/April-2nd/genevieve-nnaji-explains-her-kind-of-feminism.php|title=Genevieve Nnaji explains her kind of feminism|date=2019|work=MyJoyOnline|access-date=18 September 2019|archive-date=5 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905153915/https://www.myjoyonline.com/entertainment/2019/april-2nd/genevieve-nnaji-explains-her-kind-of-feminism.php|url-status=live}}

File:Genevieve .jpg

Nnaji has featured in several commercials, including Pronto (beverage) and Omo detergent. In 2004, she became the "Face of Lux" in Nigeria{{cite web |url=http://www.unileverghana.com/brands/personalcarebrands/lux.aspx |title=Genevieve Nnaji & Lux advertisement |publisher=Unilever PLC |access-date=15 July 2010 |location=London, UK |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625015446/http://www.unileverghana.com/brands/personalcarebrands/lux.aspx |archive-date=25 June 2011 }} in a highly lucrative sponsorship deal. In 2008, Nnaji launched the clothing line "St. Genevieve", which donates its proceeds to charity.{{cite news|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/09/27/charity-runway-celebrities-rise-up-for-orphans|title=Charity Runway; celebrities rise up for orphans|last=Wehwe|first=Vivien|work=The Vanguard|publisher=Vanguard Media|access-date=11 August 2010|location=Lagos, Nigeria|archive-date=6 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206123451/http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/09/27/charity-runway-celebrities-rise-up-for-orphans/|url-status=live}} In May 2010, she was appointed to be the official "Face of MUD" in Nigeria.{{cite web|url=http://www.mudblog.net/blog/mud-nigeria-genevieve-nnaji|title=MUD, Bellezza Cosmetics and Spa, and Genevieve Nnaji=One beautiful collaboration!|date=22 July 2010|publisher=Make-up Designory|access-date=29 August 2010|location=Burbank, CA, USA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507084904/http://www.mudblog.net/blog/mud-nigeria-genevieve-nnaji|archive-date=7 May 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201005211091.html|title=Genevieve Nnaji is Face of New Make Up Line|date=21 May 2010|work=AllAfrica.com|publisher=AllAfrica Global Media|access-date=29 August 2010|archive-date=29 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629142827/http://allafrica.com/stories/201005211091.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Onyebukwa |first=Vivian |date=29 May 2010 |title=MUD Cosmetics berths in Nigeria |url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/sunstyle/2010/may/29/sunstyle-05-29-2010-003.htm |access-date=29 August 2010 |work=Daily Sun |publisher=The Sun Publishing Limited |location=Lagos, Nigeria}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20110507084904/http://www.mudblog.net/blog/mud-nigeria-genevieve-nnaji]{{cite news|url=http://thenationonlineng.net/web2/articles/49622/1/Make-Up-Designory-MUD-debuts-in-Nigeria/Page1.html |title=Make-Up Designory (MUD) debuts in Nigeria |last=Falode |first=Kehinde |date=13 June 2010 |work=The Nation |publisher=Vintage Press Limited |access-date=29 August 2010 |location=Lagos, Nigeria |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616123332/http://thenationonlineng.net/web2/articles/49622/1/Make-Up-Designory-MUD-debuts-in-Nigeria/Page1.html |archive-date=16 June 2010 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201006051215610 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002095748/http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201006051215610 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=2 October 2011 |title=Genevive becomes face of MUD |last=Onyema |first=Ada |date=5 June 2010 |work=The Punch |access-date=29 August 2010 |location=Lagos, Nigeria }}

{{Incomplete list|date=June 2015}}Nnaji has received several awards and nominations for her work, including the Best Actress of the Year Award at the 2001 City People Awards and the Best Actress in a Leading Role Award at the 2005 Africa Movie Academy Awards.

In 2019, her movie, Lionheart, was selected by the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee (NOSC), as Nigeria's submission to the Best International Feature Film category of the 2020 Oscars. It was the first film ever submitted to the Oscars by Nigeria.{{Cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/in-profile-the-92-international-feature-oscar-2020-contenders/5142361.article|title=In profile: the 92 international feature Oscar 2020 contenders|last1=Dalton|first1=Ben|last2=Kiely|first2=Emma|website=Screen|language=en|access-date=12 November 2019|last3=Epton|first3=Nancy|date=2019-10-09|archive-date=12 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112203027/https://www.screendaily.com/news/in-profile-the-92-international-feature-oscar-2020-contenders/5142361.article|url-status=live}}

Subsequently, the Oscars submission was cancelled for not meeting the language criteria. The film's dialogue track was predominantly in the English language. However, the Oscar rules since 2006 dictate that eligible movies must have a "predominantly non-English dialogue track." This move was an attempt to open up more opportunities for films from diverse cultures.

In a viral tweet on 4 November 2019, the award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay had questioned the Academy's decision on nixing Lionheart Oscar race for using its official language — English. Nnaji, in response to Ava DuVernay's tweet, took to Twitter to explain that the country Nigeria as presently constituted, does boast of over 500 languages, making it so ethnically diverse that English, as the official language, can only be the language utilised to make the movie widely acceptable to the eclectic audience across the country, and even beyond the continent of Africa.

In an article published by culture writer and multiculturalism scholar- Kovie Biakolo titled "Nigeria's Lion Heart Disqualification is Bigger than the Oscars" on the CNN opinion website; Kovie opined that "one cannot help but feel that Nigeria is ultimately being penalised for being a former British colony in using the very language that was imposed on its people, to communicate between them, and especially for art. Former French, Spanish and Portuguese colonies certainly don't have this problem. And in truth, the Academy may be demonstrating a short-sighted or surface-level understanding of its purported inclusivity in this category".{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/06/opinions/nigerian-oscars-film-disqualification-is-a-bigger-conversation-biakolo/index.html|title=Nigeria's Lionheart disqualification is bigger than the Oscars|last=Biakolo|first=Opinion by Kovie|website=CNN|date=6 November 2019|access-date=12 November 2019|archive-date=13 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113171301/https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/06/opinions/nigerian-oscars-film-disqualification-is-a-bigger-conversation-biakolo/index.html|url-status=live}}

She went further to criticise the Oscar board for allowing the nominations of British movies that were not done in English, which invariably is the Country's main language but did so in the case of Nigeria whose cultural diversity could be confounding yet true.

{{awards table}}

|-

|2018

|Lionheart

|Grolsch People's Choice Award

|{{nom}}

|-

|}

{{awards table}}

|-

|2005

|

|rowspan=3|Best Actress in Leading Role

|{{won}}

|-

|2008

|30 Days/Keep My Will

|{{nom}}

|-

|2011

|Tango with Me

|{{nom}}

|-

|}

{{awards table}}

|-

|2013

|The Mirror Boy

|rowspan=2|Best Actress Drama/TV Series

|{{nom}}

|-

|rowspan=2|2016

|rowspan=2|Road to Yesterday

|{{nom}}

|-

|Best Movie West Africa

|{{won}}

|-

|}

{{awards table}}

|-

|2009

|

|Best Actress

|{{nom}}

|-

|rowspan=2|2010

|Silent Scandals

|Best Actress Film/Short Story

|{{nom}}

|-

|Guinness Ultimate Survivor

|Best Actress TV Series

|{{won}}

|-

|2011

|Tango with Me

|Best Actress Film/Short Story

|{{nom}}

|-

|2013

|Doctor Bello

|Best Actress in Leading Role

|{{nom}}

|-

|2014

|Half of a Yellow Sun

|Best Actress in Supporting Role

|{{won}}

|-

|rowspan=2|2016

|rowspan=2|Road to Yesterday

|Lead Actress in Film

|{{nom}}

|-

|Best Picture

|{{nom}}

|}

{{awards table}}

|-

|rowspan=2|2012

|Tango with Me

|Best Actress Leading Role

|{{nom}}

|-

|Herself

|Viewers Choice- Female

|{{won}}

|-

|}

{{awards table}}

|-

|2010

|Silent Scandals

|Best Actress-Africa Collaboration

|{{won}}

|-

|}

{{awards table}}

|-

|2012

|Herself

|Best Actress- Viewers Choice

|{{nom}}

|-

|}

{{awards table}}

|-

|2013

|Weekend Getaway

|Best Actress Leading Role

|{{won}}

|-

|}

{{awards table}}

|-

|2011

|The Mirror Boy

|Best Actress

|{{won}}

|-

|}

{{awards table}}

|-

|2001

|Herself

|Best Actress

|{{won}}

|-

|}

{{awards table}}

|-

|2010

|Silent Scandals

|rowspan=2|Best Actress-Leading Role

|{{nom}}

|-

|rowspan=2|2011

|The Mirror Boy

|{{nom}}

|-

|Bursting Out

|Best Kiss with Majid Michel

|{{won}}

|-

|}

• One Logologo Line (2004){{Cite web |last=Native |first=The |date=2020-06-19 |title=Genevieve Nnaji's 2004 hit, "No More" is exactly what women need at the moment |url=https://thenativemag.com/the-shuffle-genevieve-nnajis-energy-on-no-more-is-exactly-what-women-need-at-the-moment/ |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=The NATIVE |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Acho |first=Affa |date=2023-02-19 |title=8 Nollywood Stars Who Tried Their Hands At Music |url=https://leadership.ng/8-nollywood-stars-who-tried-their-hands-at-music/ |access-date=2023-11-08 |language=en-US}}

• List of Nigerian film producers
• List of Nigerian actresses

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{Official website|http://genevieveofficial.com/}}
• {{IMDb name|id=2105039|name=Genevieve Nnaji}}

{{Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nnaji, Genevieve}}

Category:1979 births

Category:Living people

Category:University of Lagos alumni

Category:Best Actress Africa Movie Academy Award winners

Category:Igbo actresses

Category:20th-century Nigerian actresses

Category:21st-century Nigerian actresses

Category:21st-century Nigerian women singers

Category:Nigerian rhythm and blues musicians

Category:Actresses from Imo State

Category:Members of the Order of the Federal Republic

Category:People from Mbaise

Category:Methodist Girls' High School alumni

Category:Actresses from Lagos

Category:Nigerian women's rights activists

Category:Nigerian film directors

Category:Nigerian film producers

Category:Nigerian film actresses

Category:Nigerian television personalities

Category:Nigerian television actresses