Adesua Etomi
Adesua Etomi at the AMVCAs 2016
Born
Tolulope Adesua Etomi

(1986-02-22) 22 February 1986 (age 37)
Owerri, Imo, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Alma mater
Occupation(s)Actress, producer
Years active2012–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2017)​
ChildrenZaiah Wellington
Awards2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, Best Actress in a Drama

Tolulope Adesua Etomi-Wellingtonpronunciationⓘ (born 22 February 1988),[1][a] professionally known as Adesua Etomi (Listenⓘ) is a Nigerian actress and entrepreneur.[5][6] In 2014, she starred in her first feature film Knocking On Heaven's Door.[7] She won the Best Actress in a Drama award at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for her role in the 2015 romantic drama film Falling.[8][9]

Early life and education

Tolulope Adesua Etomi was born in Owerri, Imo State,[10][11] several major sources claims her birthdate is 22 February 1988.[12][2][1] However, in an interview published in January 2016, Etomi told Pulse Nigeria she was 29 years old.[3] Furthermore, Answers Africa published an article in March 2016 stating that she was 30 years old.[13] Her father is a soldier of Esan descent and her mother is an engineer of Yoruba descent.[14] She is the youngest of three siblings.[15] Etomi attended Corona School in Victoria Island, Lagos, where she joined the drama club at the age of seven. Thereafter, she attended Queen's College, Lagos before moving to the United Kingdom at the age of 13. Etomi later obtained a diploma in "physical theatre, musical theatre, and performing arts" from City College Coventry in 2004.[16] After completing these courses in 2006 with triple distinctions, she studied drama and performance at the University of Wolverhampton, graduating with first-class honours.[10]

Career

Etomi's film credits include The Arbitration,[17] The Wedding Party,[18][19] and Falling.[20] Her performance in Falling earned her the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award for Best Actress in a Drama.[21][22] Other notable films she has appeared in include A Soldier's Story (2015), Out of Luck (20,15),[23] and Couple of Days (2016).[24] Etomi played Shiela in the fourth and fifth seasons of Shuga, a television soap opera about HIV/AIDS prevention.[25][26] Etomi began starring as Amaka Obiora, an undercover police officer, in Yemisi Wada's crime series LasGidi Cops, which debuted in June 2016 on television.[27] She was also featured on Vogue's list of 14 global superstars.[28] In February 2022, she released her first single titled ‘So Natural’. In October 2023, she launched her beauty brand Sanaa Beauty which was founded with Jemima Osunde.[29]

Personal life

Adesua Etomi and husband Banky W. at AMVCA 2020

Etomi got engaged to Banky W in February 2017.[30][31] The couple held their traditional marriage on 19 November, court wedding on 20 November and white wedding on 25 November 2017; the latter ceremony was held in Cape Town, South Africa.[32] In early January 2021, Adesua and Banky W had a son named Hazaiah Wellington.[33]

On 5 April 2021, Adesua and Banky W shared the story of their marriage and their struggles with conception and child bearing titled 'Final Say Faith'. This story was shared in the Waterbrook church.[34]

Adesua was credited for saving the daughter of Nollywood actress Iretiola Doyle from bullies.[35]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2013 The Call Tara Short film
2014 Brave[36] Layo Short film
Knocking On Heaven's Door[37] Debbie
2015 Falling[38] Muna
A Soldier's Story[39] Lebari
Out of Luck[40] Bisola
2016 Couple of Days[41] Nina
The Arbitration[42] Dara Olujobi
Something Wicked[43]
The Wedding Party[44] Dunni Coker
Ayamma: Music In The Desert[45] Ayamma/Iko/Ihuoma
2017 10 Days In Sun City[46] Bianca
The Wedding Party 2 Dunni Onwuka
2018 Date Night
King of Boys Adekemi Salami
Memoirs of 4[47]
Up North Zainab
2019 Muna[48] Muna
Malika: Warrior Queen[49] Malika
Sugar Rush Susie
The Set Up Chike
2022 The Set Up 2 Chike
The Perfect Arrangement
2023 Gangs of Lagos[50][51] Gift

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2012 Smooth Promotions Reporter/Presenter TV Station
2014 Gidi Up (season 2)[52] Sharon Series
2015 Las Gidi Cops[53] Amaka Obiora Series
Shuga (season 4)[54] Sheila Series
2017 Shuga: Down South[55][56] Sheila Series

Theatre

Year Title Role Company
2004 The Crucible John Proctor City College Production
2005 Miss Saigon John Thomas City College Production
2006 Jesus Christ Superstar Judas City College Production
2008 Fractal The Oppressed Arena Theatre
2009 The Grimm Tales Dwarf/Witch Arena Theatre
Not My Cup Of Tea Immigrant Arena Theatre
2012 The Miller's Tale Alice Saga Tiata - Edinburge Fringe Festival
2013 Anatomy Of A Woman Bolatito Lagos Theater Festival
Shattered Loveth Paw Studios
Crystal Slippers Sewa Thespian Family Theater
London Life Lagos Living Sue Paw Studios
Saro[57] Rume Bap Productions
Secret Life Of Baba Segi's Wives Segi Joos and Joms Productions
2014 Band Aid[58]
Make We Waka Chantelle Look Left Look Right
Saro[59] Rume Bap Productions

Voice over

Year Role Company
2013 Taste Bud Fanta
2014 Fan Solo Phones

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref
2009 Foresight Theater Awards Best Performance in a devised Piece of work Herself Won
2014 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards Most Promising Actress Knocking on Heaven's Door Nominated
Nollywood Reinvented Awards Best New Actress Herself Won
2015 Golden Movie Awards Golden Actress in a Lead Role Falling Nominated
Discovery of the Year Herself Won [60]
City People Entertainment Awards Best New Actress Nominated [61]
Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards Best Actress Falling Nominated
Best On-screen duo Nominated
Female Viewer's Choice Herself Nominated
ELOY Awards Actress of the Year - Big screen Falling Won [62]
Actress of the Year - Television Gidi Up Nominated
2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards Best Actress in a Drama (Movie/TV series) Falling Won [63]
12th Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Actress in Leading role Nominated
Golden Movie Awards Golden Actress Nominated
Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Actress in Leading Role Nominated
ELOY awards Actress of the year - Big Screen The Arbitration Nominated
2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards Best Actress Drama/TV Series Nominated
Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Lead Actress In A Film Ayamma Nominated
2020 Best of Nollywood Awards Best Actress in a Lead role –English Sugar Rush Nominated [64]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Many sources cite Etomi's year of birth as 1988.[2] However, she claimed to be 29 years old in an interview with Pulse Nigeria in January 2016.[3][4]

References

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  2. ^ a b "10 wonderful things to know about Adesua Etomi". 3 May 2017. Archived from the original on 26 May 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Full Interview: Nollywood Actress Adesua Etomi Chats With Pulse TV". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  4. ^ Chinwendu Mmuojeke. "Adesua Etomi Husband (Banky W), Age Parents, Siblings, Biography". Buzz Nigeria. Archived from the original on 24 February 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  5. ^ Badmus, Kayode (22 February 2016). "Adesua Etomi: Life of a 'first class' graduate turned screen diva as she celebrates another year". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  6. ^ Adebayo, Tireni (11 February 2022). "Adesua Etomi's new musical video, 'Natural' wows fans". Kemi Filani News. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  7. ^ Izuzu, Chidumga. "Adesua Etomi: 5 movies featuring Africa's best actress of the year". Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  8. ^ "#AMVCA2016 … and the Winners are Genevieve Nnaji, Stephanie Linus, Folarin 'Falz' Falana, Funke Akindele & More - See Full List". 5 March 2016. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
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  10. ^ a b "Biography/Profile/History Of Nollywood Actress Adesua Etomi". Archived from the original on 23 November 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  11. ^ "The Amazing Life of Adesua Etomi". Archived from the original on 8 May 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  12. ^ "Biography/Profile/History Of Nollywood Actress Adesua Etomi". Daily Media. Archived from the original on 23 November 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  13. ^ "Africa's Best Actress of the Year; Adesua Etomi". Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  14. ^ "Birthday Turnup! Nollywood Actress Adesua Etomi Celebrates with Gideon Okeke, Gbenro Ajibade, Osas Ighodaro, Linda Ejiofor & More". 23 February 2015. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
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  16. ^ Yemisi Suleiman (5 June 2016). "AMAA Nominees 2016". Allure Magazine (Vanguard): 13. Retrieved 8 October 2016. ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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  18. ^ The Wedding Party (2016) - IMDb, retrieved 19 November 2021
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  20. ^ "Nollywood Movie 'Falling' Which Stars Desmond Elliot And Adesua Etomi To Hit Cinemas In September - Nigerian Entertainment Today - Nigeria's Number 1 Entertainment Daily". 13 August 2015. Archived from the original on 20 August 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  21. ^ "'Falling' to Premiere Tomorrow with Adesua Etomi, Blossom Chukwujekwu & Kunle Remi - Watch the Trailer". 17 September 2015. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
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  24. ^ Izuzu, Chidumga. ""Couple of Days": Watch Adesua Etomi, Falz, Enyinna Nwigwe, Kiki Omeili in behind the scenes". Archived from the original on 23 June 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  25. ^ "MTV Shuga Behind the Scenes - Adesua Etomi talks about her character Sheila in MTV Shuga 4". Archived from the original on 2 November 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  26. ^ "MTV Shuga character profile - Sheila". Archived from the original on 5 December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
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  28. ^ "Actress, Adesua Etomi covers Vogue with 13 other 'global superstars'". Punch Newspapers. 14 March 2019. Archived from the original on 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  29. ^ Iwalaiye, Temi (16 October 2023). "Why Adesua Etomi and Jemima Osunde's 'Sanaa' is not just another celeb skincare line". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  30. ^ Jayne Augoye (3 May 2017). "It's no movie, BankyW and actress Adesua Etomi announce engagement". Premium Times. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
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  32. ^ "#BAAD2017: Presents Banky W and Adesua Etomi's White Wedding". The Informant Spy. 25 November 2017. Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  33. ^ "Adesua and Banky W Welcome First Child". 22 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
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  35. ^ "How Adesua Etomi saved my daughter from bullies - Iretiola Doyle". Punch Newspapers. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  36. ^ Mistah Cole. "Trailer For Short Nigerian Film BRAVE Starring Wole Ojo and Adesua Etomi". 360Nobs.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  37. ^ Efeturi. "Movie Review: Knocking On Heaven's Door - 360Nobs.com". 360Nobs.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  38. ^ "' Falling' to Premiere Tomorrow with Adesua Etomi, Blossom Chukwujekwu & Kunle Remi - Watch the Trailer". BellaNaija. 17 September 2015. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  39. ^ "A Soldier's Story – Featuring Linda Ejiofor, Tope Tedela, Adesua Etomi, Daniel K Daniel". Pride Magazine Nigeria. 10 October 2015. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  40. ^ Izuzu, Chidumga. "' Out of Luck': Watch Femi Branch, Tope Tedela, Linda Ejiofor, Niyi Johnson in trailer". Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  41. ^ "Lilian Esoro, Adesua Etomi, Falz, Others Star In New Movie 'Couple Of Days'Lilian Esoro, Adesua Etomi, Falz, Others Star In New Movie 'Couple Of Days' - Nigerian Entertainment Today - Nigeria's Number 1 Entertainment Daily". 11 January 2016. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  42. ^ "The Star-Studded Teaser for 'The Arbitration' is Here, Starring O.C Ukeje, Adesua Etomi, Ireti Doyle, Sola Fosudo, Beverly Naya & More". BellaNaija. 2 August 2016. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  43. ^ "Watch the Teaser of "Something Wicked" starring Ireti Doyle, Okey Uzoeshi, Adesua Etomi, Gabriel Afolayan, Beverly Naya & More". 2 August 2016. Archived from the original on 3 January 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  44. ^ "Banky W, Adesua Etomi, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ireti Doyle, Sola Sobowale & More to Star in EbonyLife Films' "The Wedding Party" - BellaNaija". www.bellanaija.com. 27 June 2016. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
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  61. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 July 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  62. ^ "Adesua Etomi Wins Best Actress At Eloy Awards 2015 - Nigerian Entertainment Today - Nigeria's Number 1 Entertainment Daily". 30 November 2015. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  63. ^ Izuzu, Chidumga (5 March 2016). "AMVCA 2016: Adesua Etomi beats Genevieve Nnaji to win 'Best Actress'". Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  64. ^ Augoye, Jayne (2 December 2020). "2020 BON: Here are 5 nominees for 'Best Kiss' category". Retrieved 11 October 2021.

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