Kiki Omeili Explained

Kiki Omeili
Birthname:Nkiruka Omeili
Birth Date:31 May 1986
Birth Place:Lagos, Nigeria
Nationality:Nigerian
Citizenship:Nigeria
Alma Mater:University of Lagos
Years Active:2011 — present
Known For:her role as Lovette in the TV series Lekki Wives
Mother:Maureen
Father:Charles
Awards:Best Supporting Actress of the Year at the 2016 City People Entertainment Awards

Nkiruka 'Kiki' Omeili (born May 31, 1986) is a Nigerian actress,[1] best known for her role as Lovette in the TV series Lekki Wives.[2] She is also known for her role as Blessing in the 2015 crime caper, Gbomo Gbomo Express alongside Gideon Okeke.

Early life

Omeili was born in Lagos, and is the second of four children of Charles and Maureen Omeili. She is of Igbo ethnicity from Nimo in Anambra State. Her Father Charles was a banker with First Bank Nigeria and retired as a general manager, while her mother Maureen was the Controller of Prisons in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Omeili began performing in stage plays all through her primary and secondary school years. This continued when she got into the university as she was a member of the drama club and acted in various productions as well as taking part in several drama competitions. In 2006, she obtained a Medical degree from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.[3] [4]

Career

In 2011, Omeili auditioned for and got the role of Debbie in the TV series Behind the Smile. In 2012, she teamed up with the director of Behind the Smile, Tunde Olaoye, to star in her debut feature film Married but living single where she worked with Funke Akindele, Joseph Benjamin, Femi Brainard and Joke Silva.[5] Omeili has had roles in a number of TV series including The Valley Between,[6] NESREA Watch, Lekki Wives and Gidi Culture.

Asides from her acting roles, in 2011 Omeili hosted the Dance reality TV show Dance 234,[7] a Koga entertainment production.

In August 2013, it was announced that Lekki Wives would be renewed for a second season, and Omeili's contract was renewed to reprise her role as Lovette.[8]

Early 2016, she starred in the Nigerian Box Office hit Couple of Days, where her portrayal of the character Joke, got wonderful reviews from critics.[9] In May 2016, "Iterum" a short film directed by Stanlee Ohikhuare and starring Omeili and Paul Utomi was premiered at the 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival.[10]

On May 31, 2016, Omeili made her debut as a movie producer, with the release of the Short Film "Unprotected".[11] The film is based on true events, which she observed as a medical student in the university. The film features Omeili, as the lead character, and Eric Didie, Bimbo Ademoye, Blessing Ambrose and Nathan Kingsley in supporting roles.[12]

In June 2018, Omeili began production of her debut full-length feature film, Run, which was directed by Uche Chukwu.[13] The movie Run was released in cinemas on August 23, 2019 starring comedian Owen Gee, Rotimi Salami, Kelechi Udegbe, and Greg Ojefua.[14] [15] It was also selected to screen at the Silicon Valley International Film Festival in California and the Slum International Film Festival in Kenya and received an award at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival in Canada.[16]

In February 2023, Omeili was unveiled as one of the new cast members on MTV Shuga.[17]

Awards and recognition

In October 2012, Omeili received the award for the Best Actress (Supporting Role in an English language film) at the 17th African Film Awards in London.[18]

In May 2014, Omeili was listed among the Top 25 New Faces of Nollywood by Nigerian Entertainment Today.[19] She had also been listed by Nigerian newspaper The Sun as one of Nollywood's fastest rising stars earlier in 2014.[20]

Omeili was nominated for the TV Actress of the Year at the ELOY Awards in November 2014. She was nominated for her lead role in the Television series Lekki Wives.[21]

In October 2015, Omeili won the award for the Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Movie Sting, at the 2015 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards which held in the USA.[22]

In July 2016, Omeili won the award for Best Supporting Actress of the Year[23] at the 2016 City People Entertainment Awards in Lagos, Nigeria.

In October 2016, Omeili was nominated for Best Lead Actress in a Short Film at the 2016 Berlin International Film Festival for her role in the film, Deluded.[24]

Omeili, was unveiled as a Festival Ambassador at the 2017 Realtime film festival in recognition of her contribution to the Nigerian film industry.[25]

In 2018, Omeili won the best supporting actress award at the World Music & Independent Film Festival, which held in the Caribbean Islands for her role in the movie 3Some.[26] In the same year, she was also nominated for Best Actress at the Realtime film festival.

Humanitarian work

Omeili has been involved in humanitarian work with Project Pink Blue. She led their cancer awareness walk, helping the cancer nonprofit raise funds and awareness through social media and events.[27] [28] [29]

Filmography

Year Title RoleDirector Notes
2011 Behind the SmileDebbie Tunde Olaoye Lead Role/TV Series
Nowhere to be FoundDr. Grace Niji Akanni TV series
FootprintsEdna Jerry Isichei Sub-Lead/TV Series
2012 Married but Living Single Titi Haastrup Tunde Olaoye Feature Film
NESREA WatchMrs. Irabor Paul Adams TV Drama/Informative
Binding DutyNjide Ihria Enakimio TV Drama/Informative
The Valley BetweenNikki Tunji Bamishigbin Sub-Lead/TV Series
Gidi CultureMariam Tunde Anjorin Sub-Lead/Series
A Mother's FightUru Flo Smith Sub-Lead/Short Film produced by Uche Jombo
Lekki WivesLovette Blessing Effiom Egbe Lead Role/Series
2013 Kpians: The Feast of SoulsKiki Ofili Stanlee Ohikhuare Horror Movie also starring Ashionye Ugboh-Raccah
Consenting AdultsSeun Soji Ogunnaike Feature Film; starring Nomoreloss
24/7Barrister Ekanem Efetobore Ayeteni Feature Film starring IK Osakioduwa, Eku Edewor and Wole Ojo
ObliviousLucy Stanlee Ohikhuare/Ekene Som Mekwunye Short Film
Lekki Wives (season 2)Lovette Blessing Effiom Egbe Lead Role/TV Series
StingAda Stanlee Ohikhuare Feature Film
The Glass HouseEse Jerry Isichei Feature Film
2014 The AntiqueIsoken Darasen Richards Feature Film starring Olu Jacobs, Bimbo Akintola and Judith Audu
Same DifferenceNonye Ehizojie Ojesebholo Feature Film starring Ricardo Agbor and Daniel K Daniel
A Dead EndBiola Ehizojie Ojesebholo Feature Film starring Barbara Sokky, Seun Akindele and Uche Anyamele
Next Door to HappinessTinuke Uzodimma Okpechi Feature Film starring Frederick Leonard
A Place Called HappyTeni Feature Film starring Blossom Chukwujekwu
Friends and LoversJenny Yemi Morafa Feature Film starring Deyemi Okanlawon
+234Sandra Lawson Soji Ogunnaike Drama Series starring Tosyn Bucknor, Tope Tedela and Anthony Monjaro
2015 Gbomo Gbomo Express Blessing Walter Taylour Feature film - starring Ramsey Nouah
Jimi Bendel T-boy Ehizojie Ojesebholo Action Comedy film[30]
2016 Fast Cash - Okey Zubelu Okoh Feature film - starring Mary Lazarus, Oma Nnadi, Funnybone
What Makes You Tick - Efetobore Ayeteni Feature film - starring Seun Akindele, Mary Lazarus, Wole Ojo, Toyin Abraham
Iterum Ireti Stanlee Ohikhuare Short film - screened at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival in Paris,France
Fast Cash Okey Zubelu Feature film
Blame It on Me - Ikechukwu Onyeka Feature film
The Happiness Limited - Imoh Umoren Feature film
Double bind Lead Emmanuel Akaemeh Feature film featuring Ifeanyi Kalu, Ujams Cbriel, Mary Chukwu
This Thing Called Marriage - Blessing Egbe Feature film
Moth To A Flame[31] Joan One Soul Feature film - Femi Jacobs, Shaffy Bello, Paul Utomi
2017 ""When Men Promise Chioma
2017 Echoes of Silence - Okey Ifeanyi Feature film
Low lives and High Hopes - Frankie Ogar Feature film
Light in the Dark - Ekene Som Mekwunye Feature film featuring Angel Unigwe, Joke Silva, Rita Dominic, Kalu Ikeagwu, Ngozi Nwosu, Saidi Balogun among others.
What Lies Within[32] Miss Dimeji Vanessa Nzediegwu Feature film starring Michelle Dede, Tope Tedela, Paul Utomi
Sunday and Lolade Lolade Comedy Skit Compilation
Omoye Uche Chukwu Feature film starring Kiki Omeili, Tina Mba, Stan Nze, Rotimi Salami
Public PropertyTope Alake & Ashionye Mihcelle Raccah Feature film
2019 Run Tomi Uche Chukwu Feature Film, produced by Kiki Omeili starring Rotimi Salami, Owen Gee, Kelechi Udegbe, Kiki Omeili, Gregory Ojefua and Alex Oturu
2021 Hide and Seek Nnena Tolu Lord Tanner Feature Film, crime thriller featuring Efa Iwara, Bimbo Ademoye and Akah Nnani
2022 Wildflower[33] Feature Film featuring Jide Kosoko, Etinosa Idemudia
Toxic Bee Yemi Jolaoso Feature length film
2023 MTV Shuga Tomi Yemi Morafa MTV Original series, starring Adesua Etomi, Okey Uzoeshi, John Njamah and others
2023Dr. LoveWinifredUche Jumbo, Mary Remmy Njoku

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022-03-25 . Kiki Omeili, DJ Sose, others attend premiere of ‘WWBAM’ Series 2 . 2022-07-20 . Punch Newspapers . en-US.
  2. News: Lekki Wives makes Debut. https://web.archive.org/web/20130206082910/http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/new-drama-series-lekki-wives-makes-online-debut/. usurped. 6 February 2013. Agbo. Dennis. 3 February 2013. National Mirror. 14 November 2013. Lagos, Nigeria.
  3. Web site: AKEEM. LASIS. 12 May 2012. Kiki Omeili: From Lab Coat to Costumes. The Punch Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 17 August 2012. 28 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150928221309/http://www.punchng.com/feature/midweek-revue/kiki-omeili-from-lab-coat-to-costume/. dead.
  4. Web site: Chioma . Ella . 2020-08-16 . Weirdest thing a fan did to me - Actress Kiki Omeili . 2022-03-25 . Kemi Filani News . en-GB.
  5. Web site: Married but Living Single Premieres|.
  6. Web site: The Valley Between. Adetu. Bayo. 14 May 2012. PM Newspapers. Lagos, Nigeria.
  7. Web site: Dance 234. Kiki Omeili hosts Dance 234|.
  8. News: Lekki Wives Audition Holds Today. https://web.archive.org/web/20130903053852/http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/lekki-wives-auditions-hold-today/. usurped. 3 September 2013. Oogbodo. Oseyiza. 31 August 2013. National Mirror. 14 November 2013. Lagos, Nigeria.
  9. Web site: Kiki Omeili biography, net worth, age, family, contact & picture . 2024-02-15 . www.manpower.com.ng.
  10. Web site: Nollywood Director Stanlee Ohikhuare's Short Film "Iterum" will be Showcased at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. Bella Naija. 12 May 2016. Bella Pedro. 17 May 2016.
  11. News: Kiki Omeili debuts with 'Unprotected'. tribuneonlineng.com. Tribune Newspaper. 6 June 2016. 5 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160605130405/http://tribuneonlineng.com/kiki-omeili-debuts-with-%E2%80%98unprotected%E2%80%99. dead.
  12. Web site: WATCH: 'Unprotected' – A Short Film By Kiki Omeili. life.guardian.ng . 31 May 2016. Guardian Life Newspaper. 6 June 2016.
  13. News: Kiki Omeili: A 'Run' Star In Full Bloom. independent.ng . Daily Independent Newspaper. 2 August 2018.
  14. News: Kiki Omeili's first movie, Run, hits cinemas. punchng.com . Punch Newspaper. 15 December 2019.
  15. News: Actress Kiki Omeili offers Run as first big fruit. guardian.ng . Guardian Newspaper. 15 December 2019.
  16. News: Nkiruka Omeili: Yes, I'm a Medical Doctor, But More Fulfilled Acting, Producing Films. thisdaylive.com . Thisday Newspaper. 15 December 2019.
  17. News: Genoveva Umeh, Gbubemi Ejeye Join MTV Shuga Naija Cast Films. thisdaylive.com . Thisday Newspaper. 5 March 2023.
  18. News: Tonto Dikeh, Kiki Omeili win Afro Hollywood Awards. Opurum. Nkechi. 23 October 2012. Daily Times Nigeria. 1 November 2012. Lagos, Nigeria.
  19. News: Meet the 25 New Faces of Nollywood. Okuchukwu. Griffith. 31 May 2014. Nigerian Entertainment Today. 26 July 2014. Lagos, Nigeria.
  20. News: Behold! Nollywood's fast rising stars. Ezinye. Emeka. 25 January 2014. The Sun. 26 July 2014. Lagos, Nigeria.
  21. News: ELOY Nomination Puts The 'Follow-Spot' On Kiki Omeili, Again. Husseini. Shuaibu. 8 November 2014. Guardian Newspaper. 7 January 2015. Lagos, Nigeria.
  22. Web site: GIAMA 2015: Eniola Badmus, Jim Iyke, Uche Jombo win big. Pulse Nigeria. 19 October 2015. Chidumga Izuzu. 19 October 2015.
  23. Web site: Full List Of Winners At The City People Entertainment Awards 2016 [All Categories]]. citypeopleng.com. City People Magazine. 11 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160802193350/http://citypeopleng.com/full-list-of-winners-at-the-city-people-entertainment-awards-2016-all-categories/. 2 August 2016. dead.
  24. Web site: Best Lead Actress in a Short Film -Berlin 2016. filmfest.com. Film Fest International Festival. 17 October 2016. 18 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161018211627/http://filmfestinternational.com/best-lead-actress-in-a-short-film-berlin-2016/. dead.
  25. Web site: KIKI OMEILI - - RTF BRAND AMBASSADOR. youtube.com . Realtime Film Festival. 2 August 2018. YouTube.
  26. News: '3some' bags four awards at American World Film Festival. lifestyle.thecable.ng . Oluwaseyi Awojulugbe. 2 August 2018.
  27. News: Augoye. Jayne. Why I left Medicine for acting – Kiki Omieli. 28 December 2017. Premium Times Nigeria. Premium Times Nigeria. December 24, 2016.
  28. News: Eya. Ayambem. Annie Idibia, Moc Madu, Kiki Omeili, Debbie Collins led Pink October Walk against Breast Cancer in Lagos. 28 December 2017. Wives Town Hall Connection. October 9, 2016.
  29. News: Bella. Naija. Project PINK BLUE hosted Pink October Walk in support of International Breast Cancer Awareness Month with 5 Cancer Survivors, Kiki Omeili & Yvonne Jegede in Attendance. 28 December 2017. Bellanaija. Bellanaija. October 10, 2017.
  30. Web site: "Jimi Bendel" Watch Kiki Omeili, Ijeoma Agu, Gregory Ojefua in trailer. Pulse.ng. 2 February 2016. Chidumga Izuzu. 2 February 2016.
  31. Web site: MOTH TO a FLAME | Nollywood Movie Review | Talk African Movies. 23 January 2017.
  32. Web site: Dailytimes.ng .
  33. Web site: THISDAYLIVE . Home - . ‘The Wildflower’ Goes to Cinemas – THISDAYLIVE . THISDAYLIVE – Truth and Reason . May 29, 2022 . July 31, 2022.