From playing her first major role in the 1996 Drama movie ‘Mortal Inheritance’, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has kept it 100 (‘100’ meaning ‘to stay true or to be real’). Right from her years as a rookie, hustling for ‘waka pass’ appearances to walking red carpets in London, the 35-year-old has made some of the boldest statements and moves never seen before in this part of the world.
One would wonder why Omotola shouldreceive so much praise and accolade; at least there has been many other actresses before her, who have been in the Nollywood circuit way before movies got their won premieres at the cinemas. We’ll tell you why…
Making this years’ TIME 100 iconic list, Omotola is described as the ‘Queen of Nollywood’ by the magazine’s movie critic Richard Corliss. It’s no doubt a ground-breaking achievement for any African, let alone actor to make the coveted list and to receive the same honours given to the likes of influential leaders Barack Obama, Kim Jong Un, Joyce Banda, acclaimed entertainers Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon, Beyonce and Jay Z.
What makes Omotola remarkable is how easy she’s made all the hard work and noteworthy success seem; with over one million likes of social network Facebook (the next person trails with less than a quarter of hers), the frequent trips overseas meeting and greeting with US stars (Check her on Instagram: @realomosexy), her many local and international accolades (in November 2012, she was honoured with the ‘Film Icon of the Year’ award at the Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts Awards), Mrs Jalade-Ekeinde has kept it modest, dedicating her awards to her husband or fans.
What has also added to Omotola’s rising profile is her family stability in an industry where marriages pack up on a daily. Married with four children (she had her first at 18), remains a mystery to many, how she combines a hectic career schedule with raising her kids and caring for her ‘honey boy’. And the Ekeindes are enjoying the media attention–with her hubby, an airline pilot Captain Matthew Ekeinde who was initially reluctant to hug the limelight, now comfortable strutting red carpets.
Omotola is the first Nigerian actor to have her own reality TV show ‘The Real Me’.
And she’s now gaining some ground in the US. Working with some heavy PR agency; if she’s not celebrating her birthday with stars from the popular ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’, she’s hanging out with Danny Glover or Kimberly Elise in New York. Ironically, Omotola has often expressed her willingness to stay back in Nollywood. Interestingly, her biggest rival, another well celebrated Nigerian actress Genevieve Nnaji is also pulling all the stops, hoping to make it big overseas. Even though she’s earned a top spot in the highest of ranks in Nollywood, Genny has for long had her eyes in the international market. Omotola is now following suit, clearly with a leg in the door.
Omotola has also played a large role in the Nigerian society with her charity and support group, Omotola Youth Empowerment Programme. In 2012, she launched a ‘Widows Makeover’ programme where she met with 20 widows; giving them a week of first class treatment.
If Oprah has called Genevieve Africa’s Julia Roberts, we wonder what she’ll call Omotola when she meets with her
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