Stella Damasus

{{Infobox person

| name = Stella Damasus

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|04|24}}

| birth_place = Benin City,

From Asaba Delta State Nigeria

| nationality = Nigerian

| citizenship = Nigeria

| alma_mater = University of Lagos

| occupation = Actress, Singer

| spouse = {{plainlist|

{{Marriage|Jaiye Aboderin|1999|2004|reason=died}}
{{Marriage|Emeka Nzeribe|2007|2007|reason=divorced}}
{{Marriage|Daniel Ademinokan|2014|2020|reason=divorced}}{{cite news|url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/stella-damasus-opens-up-on-failed-marriage/|title=Stella Damasus opens up on failed marriage|work=TheCable Lifestyle|date=31 October 2022|access-date=13 November 2024}}}}

| awards = Best Actress at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in 2007

| website = www.stelladamasus.com

| imagesize =

| othername =

| yearsactive =

}}

Stella Damasus {{IPAc-en|audio=Ig-stella Damasus.ogg}} (born April 24, 1978){{cite news|url=http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/04/24/at-34-stella-damasus-has-no-regrets/|title=At 34, Stella Damascus Has No Regrets|last=Adetu|first=Bayo|date=24 April 2012|work=P.M. News|access-date=1 February 2013|location=Lagos, Nigeria}} is a Nigerian actress and singer.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ll66CAAAQBAJ&dq=Stella+damasus+nigerian+actress+film&pg=PA92|title=Trends in Nollywood: A Study of Selected Genres UPCC book collections on Project MUSE|author=Ayakoroma, Barclays Foubiri|publisher=Kraft Books|year=2015|isbn=978-9-78-9182-01-5}} She was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2009. She won the Award for Best Actress at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in 2007.{{cite web|url=http://ladybrillemag.com/nigeria-entertainment-awards-2007/|title=Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2007|access-date=1 June 2017}} In 2012, she won the award for Best Actress for the movie Two Brides and a Baby at the Golden Icons Academy Awards in Houston, Texas.

Early life

Stella Damasus was born in Benin City, Edo State, in the South-South region of Nigeria. She has four sisters. She grew up in Benin City, where she completed most of her primary education.{{cite web|url=http://nm.onlinenigeria.com/templates/?z=3&a=7231|title=Biography at OnlineNigeria.com|access-date=25 November 2009}}

Personal life

Damasus married her first husband, Jaiye Aboderin, in 1999 when she was 21. The couple had two daughters before Jaiye died suddenly in 2004.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-03|title=Stella Damasus pays tribute to Jaiye Aboderin - first husband who died 16 years ago|url=http://lifestyle.thecable.ng/stella-damasus-pays-tribute-to-jaiye-aboderin-husband-who-died-16-years-ago/|access-date=2021-03-27|website=TheCable Lifestyle|language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Stella Damasus:An Intimate Portrait of a Screen Goddess – THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/05/22/stella-damasusan-intimate-portrait-of-a-screen-goddess/ |access-date=2022-07-31 |website=www.thisdaylive.com}} Damasus remarried in 2007, this time to Emeka Nzeribe.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-25|title=Pulse List: 5 Nigerian celebrities who remarried that you should know|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/pulse-list-5-nigerian-celebrities-who-remarried-that-you-should-know/95nt59s|access-date=2021-03-27|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US}} The marriage lasted for seven months before they mutually agreed to divorce. In 2011, she became associated with multiple award-winning Nollywood producer and director Daniel Ademinokan; this eventually led to a separation in 2020 and a subsequent divorce.{{Cite web |last=Medeme |first=Ovwe |date=2025-06-29 |title=‘I’ve left you in peace, don’t drag me into your soap opera’ —Daniel Ademinokan to Stella Damasus |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/804108-ive-left-you-in-peace-dont-drag-me-into-your-soap-opera-daniel-ademinokan-to-stella-damasus.html |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Premium Times Nigeria |language=en}}{{cite web | url=https://www.nenyko.com/stella-damasus-remarries-her-daughters-after-divorcing-her-third-husband-daniel-ademinokan/ | title=Stella Damasus remarries her daughters after divorcing her third husband, Daniel Ademinokan | date=29 August 2021 }} Their relationship sparked a lot of controversy because both parties never publicly admitted to be dating, engaged or even married until 2014.

Career

Damasus started her career as a singer in Lagos where she worked as a studio session singer at the famous Klink Studios owned by filmmaker Kingsley Ogoro. There she honed her skills as singer and went on to do vocals for top radio and TV jingles in Nigeria at that time.{{Cite web|last=Adeyemo|first=Adeola|date=2012-12-15|title=BN Saturday Celebrity Interview: Her Joy, Her Pain, Her Story – Nollywood Actress Stella Damasus reveals ALL exclusively to BN|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2012/12/bn-saturday-celebrity-interview-her-joy-her-pain-her-story-nollywood-actress-stella-damasus-reveals-all-exclusively-to-bn/|access-date=2021-03-27|website=BellaNaija|language=en-US}}

Damasus is a Theatre arts graduate of the University of Lagos, Nigeria.{{Cite web|date=2019-05-18|title=Stella Damasus Leads in 'Between'|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/05/18/stella-damasus-leads-in-between/|access-date=2021-03-27|website=THISDAYLIVE|language=en-US}} She first appeared in the Nigerian film Abused in 1992.{{cite news|url=http://thenet.ng/quick-fact-stella-damasus-first-appeared-in-abused-in-1992/|title=Quick Fact: Stella Damasus first appeared in 'Abused' in 1992|publisher=Nigerian Entertainment Today|access-date=December 29, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://news.onlinenigeria.com/templates/?a=1377|title=Damasus-Aboderin's first movie|access-date=25 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918055330/http://news.onlinenigeria.com/templates/?a=1377|archive-date=18 September 2009}} Her claim to fame, however, was her second movie Breaking Point, produced by Emem Isong and directed by Francis Agu where she shot into superstardom across Nigeria. She was nominated for the African Movie Academy Award in 2006 for "Best Actress in a Leading Role" for her performance in the movie Behind Closed Doors. In 2008, she was also nominated for the African Movie Academy Award for "Best Actress in a Leading Role" in the movie Widow and in 2009 in the movie State of the Heart. She has gone on to star in over 70 movies.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1817113/|title=List of movies by Stella Damasus-Aboderin at the Internet Movie Database|website=IMDb|access-date=25 November 2009}} Damasus is the co-founder of I2radio and hosts two podcast shows: Undiluted with Stella Damasus and When Women Praise.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-28 |title=Stella Damasus goes spiritual, opens prayer group |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/09/28/stella-damasus-goes-spiritual-opens-prayer-group/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |language=en-US}}

Filmography

class="wikitable sortable"
Year !Title !Role !Starring
2004 \| Betrayed by Love \| \| Emeka Ike
1995 \|Rattlesnake \|Amara \|Francis Duru, Nkem Owoh, Sunny McDon, Ebele Uzochukwu Anne Njemanze
1999 \| Face of a Liar \| \| Zulu Adigwe, Rita Dominic, Bibiana Ohio
2001 \| Rumours \| \| Segun Arinze, Zulu Adigwe, Kunle Coker, Uche Jombo
2002 \| Submission \| \| Patience Ozokwor, Zack Orji, Clem Ohameze, Jennifer Eliogu
2003 \| Real Love \| \| Ramsey Nouah Jnr, Chioma Chukwuka, Olu Jacobs
2003 \| Passions \| \| Emeka Ike, Richard Mofe Damijo, Genevieve Nnaji, Florence Onuma
2003 \| My Time 1&2 \| \| Bob Manuel Udokwu, Patience Ozokwor, Mary Ann Apollo, Ofia Afuluagu Mbaka
2003 \| When God says Yes \|Rose \| Richard Mofe Damijo, Clem Ohameze, Ngozi Ezeonu, Pete Edochie
2003 \| Never say goodbye \|Nwando \| Fabian Adibe, David Ihesie, Ramsey Nouah Jnr
2003 \| Market seller 1&2 \| \| Lilian Bach, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Kanayo O Kanayo
2003 \| The Intruder 1&2 \| \| Enebeli Elebuwa, Rita Dominic, Jim Iyke, RMD
2003 \| Emotional Pain \|Titi \| Eucharia Anunuobi, Richard Mofe Damijo, Frank Dallas
2003 \| Dangerous Desire \| \| Fred Amata, Bimbo Akintola, Dayo Adewunmi
2003 \| Bad Boys \| \| Ramsey Nouah Jnr, Clem Ohameze, Amaechi Muonagor
2003 \| After the Fight \| \| Eucharia Anunuobi Ekwu, Kanayo O Kanayo
2004 \| Queen 1&2 \| \| Robert Peters, Richard Mofe Damijo, Nkiru Sylvanus
2004 \| Missing Angel 1,2&3 \|Dolly \| Desmond Elliot, Empress Njamah, Nobert Young, Tuvi James
2004 \| Kings Pride \| \| Richard Mofe Damijo, Fred Aresoma, Peter Bruno
2004 \| Engagement Night 1&2 \| \| Richard Mofe Damijo, Darlene Benson-Cobham
2004 \| Above Love \| \| Desmond Elliot, Bukky Wright, Enebeli Elebuwa
2004 \| Red Hot \| \| Liz Benson, Zack Orji, Segun Arinze
2004 \| Burning Desire 1&2 \| \| Richard Mofe Damijo, Enebeli Elebuwa, Ernest Asuzu
2004 \| Cinderella \| \| Desmond Elliot, Grace Amah, Segun Arinze
2004 \| Dangerous Twins 1, 2 & 3 \| \| Ramsey Nouah Jnr, Bimbo Akintola, Lanre Balogun, Sola Sobowale
2005 \| Wheel of Change \| \| Fred Amata, Rita Dominic, Mbong Odungide
2005 \| The Seed 1&2 \| \| Emeka Enyiocha, Chidi Mokeme, Ashley Nwosu
2005 \| Desperate and Dangerous \| \| Chidi Mokeme, Steph-Nora Okereke
2005 \| Real Love 2&3 \| \| Ramsey Nouah Jnr, Caroline Ekanem, Olu Jacobs
2005 \| Games Women Play 1&2 \|Emma \| Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Desmond Elliot, Bob Manuel Udokwu, Zack Orji
2005 \| The Bridesmaid \|Tega \| Richard Mofe Damijo, Kate Henshaw Nuttal, Chioma Chukwuka
2005 \| Behind Closed Doors 1&2 \| \| Desmond Elliot, Richard Mofe Damijo, Patience Ozokwor
2005 \| Widow \| \| Yemi Solade, Peter Bruno
2006 \| Standing Alone \|Lilian \| Richard Mofe Damijo, Tony Umez, Jennifer Eliogu
2008 \| Yankee Girls \|Tessy \| Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Rita Dominic
2008 \| Yankee Girls 2 \|Tessy \| Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Rita Dominic
2008 \| Four sisters \|Harmony \|Pete Edochie, Uche Ogbodo, Obi Okoli, Adaora Ukoh
2008 \| Halimat \| \|
2010 \|Bent Arrows \|Ngozi \|Zainab Ademola, Ibrahim Adam
2011 \|Two brides and a baby \|Ama \|with Kalu Ikeagwu
2014 \|To Rise Again \|Lydia \|with Segun Arinze, Chuks China, Peter Bunor
2014 \|When Is It Enough \| \|Short
2016 \|Affairs of the Heart{{cite web\|title=Affairs Of The Heart Watch Stella Damasus and Joseph Benjamin in new movie\|url=http://pulse.ng/movies/affairs-of-the-heart-watch-stella-damasus-and-joseph-benjamin-in-new-movie-id3807197.html\|website=Pulse Nigeria\|date=29 May 2015 \|publisher=Gbenga Bada\|access-date=29 May 2015}} \|Vivienne \|Also starring Beverly Naya, Divine Shaw, Stephanie Stephen, Glenn Turner, Joel Rogers, Monica Swaida and Cyceru Ash.
2018 \|Between \|Chelsea Hollis \| Travis Grenier, Tatiana Lia Zapperdino, Isabel De La Cruz
rowspan=2\|2021 \|Gone \|Ngozi \| Sam Dede, Gabriel Afolayan, Bimbo Manuel, Bimbo Ademoye
Akwụna{{cite web \| title=Watch Stella Damasus, Nnamdi Kanaga, Tim Meadows in 'Akwụna' official trailer \| website=Pulse Nigeria \| date=December 13, 2021 \| url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/watch-stella-damasus-nnamdi-kanaga-tim-meadows-in-akwuna-official-trailer/cbjll8g \| access-date=July 31, 2022}}{{cite web \| title=Check out BTS from Stella Damasus's new short film 'Akwụna' [Exclusive] \| website=Pulse Nigeria \| date=September 20, 2021 \| url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/akwuna-stella-damasus-features-in-new-short-film/q75mnej \| access-date=July 31, 2022}} \| \|Nnamdi Kanaga, Tim Meadows
2022 \|Stay \|Mrs. B \|Joseph Benjamin, Nini Amerlise, Theo Bray
2022 \|Akwuna \|Ebere \|Nnamdi Kanaga, Sara Rashelle, Kelechi Eke

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

!Title

!Role

!Starring

2004

| Betrayed by Love

| Emeka Ike

1995

|Rattlesnake

|Amara

|Francis Duru, Nkem Owoh, Sunny McDon, Ebele Uzochukwu Anne Njemanze

1999

| Face of a Liar

| Zulu Adigwe, Rita Dominic, Bibiana Ohio

2001

| Rumours

| Segun Arinze, Zulu Adigwe, Kunle Coker, Uche Jombo

2002

| Submission

| Patience Ozokwor, Zack Orji, Clem Ohameze, Jennifer Eliogu

2003

| Real Love

| Ramsey Nouah Jnr, Chioma Chukwuka, Olu Jacobs

2003

| Passions

| Emeka Ike, Richard Mofe Damijo, Genevieve Nnaji, Florence Onuma

2003

| My Time 1&2

| Bob Manuel Udokwu, Patience Ozokwor, Mary Ann Apollo, Ofia Afuluagu Mbaka

2003

| When God says Yes

|Rose

| Richard Mofe Damijo, Clem Ohameze, Ngozi Ezeonu, Pete Edochie

2003

| Never say goodbye

|Nwando

| Fabian Adibe, David Ihesie, Ramsey Nouah Jnr

2003

| Market seller 1&2

| Lilian Bach, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Kanayo O Kanayo

2003

| The Intruder 1&2

| Enebeli Elebuwa, Rita Dominic, Jim Iyke, RMD

2003

| Emotional Pain

|Titi

| Eucharia Anunuobi, Richard Mofe Damijo, Frank Dallas

2003

| Dangerous Desire

| Fred Amata, Bimbo Akintola, Dayo Adewunmi

2003

| Bad Boys

| Ramsey Nouah Jnr, Clem Ohameze, Amaechi Muonagor

2003

| After the Fight

| Eucharia Anunuobi Ekwu, Kanayo O Kanayo

2004

| Queen 1&2

| Robert Peters, Richard Mofe Damijo, Nkiru Sylvanus

2004

| Missing Angel 1,2&3

|Dolly

| Desmond Elliot, Empress Njamah, Nobert Young, Tuvi James

2004

| Kings Pride

| Richard Mofe Damijo, Fred Aresoma, Peter Bruno

2004

| Engagement Night 1&2

| Richard Mofe Damijo, Darlene Benson-Cobham

2004

| Above Love

| Desmond Elliot, Bukky Wright, Enebeli Elebuwa

2004

| Red Hot

| Liz Benson, Zack Orji, Segun Arinze

2004

| Burning Desire 1&2

| Richard Mofe Damijo, Enebeli Elebuwa, Ernest Asuzu

2004

| Cinderella

| Desmond Elliot, Grace Amah, Segun Arinze

2004

| Dangerous Twins 1, 2 & 3

| Ramsey Nouah Jnr, Bimbo Akintola, Lanre Balogun, Sola Sobowale

2005

| Wheel of Change

| Fred Amata, Rita Dominic, Mbong Odungide

2005

| The Seed 1&2

| Emeka Enyiocha, Chidi Mokeme, Ashley Nwosu

2005

| Desperate and Dangerous

| Chidi Mokeme, Steph-Nora Okereke

2005

| Real Love 2&3

| Ramsey Nouah Jnr, Caroline Ekanem, Olu Jacobs

2005

| Games Women Play 1&2

|Emma

| Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Desmond Elliot, Bob Manuel Udokwu, Zack Orji

2005

| The Bridesmaid

|Tega

| Richard Mofe Damijo, Kate Henshaw Nuttal, Chioma Chukwuka

2005

| Behind Closed Doors 1&2

| Desmond Elliot, Richard Mofe Damijo, Patience Ozokwor

2005

| Widow

| Yemi Solade, Peter Bruno

2006

| Standing Alone

|Lilian

| Richard Mofe Damijo, Tony Umez, Jennifer Eliogu

2008

| Yankee Girls

|Tessy

| Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Rita Dominic

2008

| Yankee Girls 2

|Tessy

| Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Rita Dominic

2008

| Four sisters

|Harmony

|Pete Edochie, Uche Ogbodo, Obi Okoli, Adaora Ukoh

2008

| Halimat

2010

|Bent Arrows

|Ngozi

|Zainab Ademola, Ibrahim Adam

2011

|Two brides and a baby

|Ama

|with Kalu Ikeagwu

2014

|To Rise Again

|Lydia

|with Segun Arinze, Chuks China, Peter Bunor

2014

|When Is It Enough

|Short

2016

|Affairs of the Heart{{cite web|title=Affairs Of The Heart Watch Stella Damasus and Joseph Benjamin in new movie|url=http://pulse.ng/movies/affairs-of-the-heart-watch-stella-damasus-and-joseph-benjamin-in-new-movie-id3807197.html|website=Pulse Nigeria|date=29 May 2015 |publisher=Gbenga Bada|access-date=29 May 2015}}

|Vivienne

|Also starring Beverly Naya, Divine Shaw, Stephanie Stephen, Glenn Turner, Joel Rogers, Monica Swaida and Cyceru Ash.

2018

|Between

|Chelsea Hollis

| Travis Grenier, Tatiana Lia Zapperdino, Isabel De La Cruz

rowspan=2|2021

|Gone

|Ngozi

| Sam Dede, Gabriel Afolayan, Bimbo Manuel, Bimbo Ademoye

Akwụna{{cite web | title=Watch Stella Damasus, Nnamdi Kanaga, Tim Meadows in 'Akwụna' official trailer | website=Pulse Nigeria | date=December 13, 2021 | url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/watch-stella-damasus-nnamdi-kanaga-tim-meadows-in-akwuna-official-trailer/cbjll8g | access-date=July 31, 2022}}{{cite web | title=Check out BTS from Stella Damasus's new short film 'Akwụna' [Exclusive] | website=Pulse Nigeria | date=September 20, 2021 | url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/akwuna-stella-damasus-features-in-new-short-film/q75mnej | access-date=July 31, 2022}}

|Nnamdi Kanaga, Tim Meadows

2022

|Stay

|Mrs. B

|Joseph Benjamin, Nini Amerlise, Theo Bray

2022

|Akwuna

|Ebere

|Nnamdi Kanaga, Sara Rashelle, Kelechi Eke