Genevieve Nnaji: the Billionaire Nollywood Actress

Nigerian star and film director Genevieve Nnaji, the first Nollywood billionaire is a highly acclaimed actress in Africa. She started acting as an eight-year-old, starring in the popular TV soap Ripples.

Her Nollywood career really took off when she was 19 in Most Wanted, when she played one of four daredevil female armed robbers masquerading as men.

The 40-year-old has starred in more than 80 films over the last two decades and her rise to prominence coincided with the exponential growth of Nollywood, as the Nigerian film industry is called, across Africa.

Despite suffering a major setback in 2004 when she was blacklisted by a powerful cartel of film studios in Nigeria, along with several other A-list actors, she remained steadfast and weathered the storm.

With no producer brave enough to go against the studios, Nnanji found herself out of a job – so she decided to move into music, releasing an album called One Logologo Line.

Her one and only album, it is best remembered for the track No More, a love song with lyrics that could be seen as metaphor for the rest of her career: “No more crying oh, No more fighting oh, No more tears oh, I got my freedom, power and more.”

Her 2018 movie, Lionheart, was acquired by Netflix for an impressive $3.5 million. Throughout her career, Genevieve has been compensated generously for her talent, receiving £95,000 for her role in the 2011 film, The Mirror Boy, and $25,000 for her part in the 2010 movie, Ije: The Journey.

In addition to her acting earnings, Genevieve has been a sought-after brand ambassador, securing lucrative endorsement deals. She had an £80,000 partnership with Lux in 2004 and a $100,000 endorsement deal with Range Rover Evoque in 2012. In 2014, she signed agreements with Etisalat, Polo, and other notable brands, earning a total of $82,000 and $41,000 respectively. She has also collaborated with Luna Milk, MUD Cosmetics, Amstel Malt, Omo Detergent, and Pronto Beverage.

Genevieve’s success extends beyond the entertainment industry, as she recently completed the construction of her multi-billion naira estate in Abuja. Her unparalleled talent has taken her to great heights, with appearances in over 350 movies both locally and internationally.

Genevieve Nnaji is undeniably a living legend of Nollywood, inspiring aspiring actors and actresses around the world.

The rejection of her Lionheart earlier this month from the Academy’s best international feature film category may well act as a springboard for her future success.

eagleghana.com