Aug 11, 2023 8 Min Read
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (born on February 7, 1978), professionally known as Omotola Jalade Ekeinde MFR or OmoSexy, is a renowned Nigerian actress, singer, philanthropist, and former model.
Since making her debut in Nollywood films in 1995, she has appeared in more than 300 movies, selling millions of video copies.
After garnering numerous prestigious awards, venturing into music, and building a substantial fan base, she has been labeled the true embodiment of Africa Magic by the media.
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde stands as the first African celebrity to amass over 1 million likes on her Facebook page, where she currently has over 3 million followers.
Born of Ondo heritage, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde was born in Lagos State on February 7, 1978. She grew up in a family of five, with parents and two younger brothers, Tayo Jalade and Bolaji Jalade.
Her mother, Oluwatoyin Jalade née Amori Oguntade, was employed at J.T Chanrai Nigeria, while her father, Oluwashola Jalade, was associated with the YMCA and the Lagos Country Club.
Initially aspiring to work in business management, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde turned to modeling as a means of earning income while awaiting her university results.
She received her education at various institutions, including Chrisland School, Opebi (1981–1987), Oxford Children School (1987), Santos Layout, and Command Secondary School, Kaduna (1988–1993). She briefly attended Obafemi Awolowo University before completing her studies in Estate Management at Yaba College of Technology (1996–2004).
Introduced to acting through a friend's audition, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde's first role was in the 1995 movie "Venom of Justice," directed by Reginald Ebere.
Reginald Ebere is credited with launching her career, casting her in a leading role in the movie, which marked the beginning of her successful journey in the Nollywood industry.
She gained prominence with her significant role in the critically acclaimed film "Mortal Inheritance" (1995), where she portrayed a sickle-cell patient battling for survival. The film showcased her character's triumph over the disease and her journey to motherhood.
Subsequent to this impactful role, she starred in several hit films such as "Games Women Play," "Blood Sisters," "All My Life," "Last Wedding," "My Story," "The Woman in Me," and more.
Following her standout performance in "Mortal Inheritance," Omotola Jalade Ekeinde secured "Best Actress in an English Speaking Movie" and "Best Actress Overall" awards at the 1997 Movie Awards. She was the youngest Nigerian actress at that time to achieve this feat.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde solidified her presence by starring in sequels like "Lost Kingdom II," "Kosorogun II," and "Blood Sister II," leading to the Global Excellence Recognition Awards' grand achiever award in 2004.
By the mid-2000s, she was established as an "A-list" actress, garnering the "Best Actress in a supporting role" award at the African Movie Academy Awards (2005).
After participating in approximately 300 video movies, she transitioned to her first cinematic role in the 2010 film "Ije." The movie, shot in Jos and the United States, became the highest-grossing Nollywood film at the time.
In 2012, she starred in the Nollywood blockbuster "Last Flight to Abuja," which surpassed Hollywood blockbusters to become the second-highest-grossing movie in West African cinemas that year.
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde's illustrious career has led to her winning over forty domestic and international awards, solidifying her reputation as Africa's foremost box office actress.
In 2015, she celebrated her 20th anniversary in the entertainment industry and has graced around 200 films.
In June 2018, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, alongside Femi Odugbemi, was invited to join the Oscars as voting members.
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde launched her music career in 2005 with the release of her debut album titled "GBA." The album produced hit singles like "Naija Lowa" and "The Things You Do To Me."
Her second album, "Me, Myself, and Eyes," remains unreleased and features production from Paul Play Dairo and Del B. Songs like "Feel Alright," featuring Harrysong, and "Through the Fire," featuring Uche, were part of this album.
Her third album began taking shape in late 2012, collaborating with The Bridge Entertainment and renowned producers and songwriters in Atlanta to create music with resonance for American audiences. Collaborations included Kendrick Dean, Drumma Boy, and Verse Simmonds, and a song with Bobby V.
In 2012, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde introduced her reality show, "Omotola: The Real Me," airing on Africa Magic Entertainment. This initiative marked her as the first Nigerian celebrity to star in her own reality show.
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde became a United Nations World Food Programme Ambassador in 2005, engaging in missions to Sierra Leone and Liberia. She supports organizations like SME100 Africa to empower youth and women.
She has been involved in the Walk the World initiative and joined Liberia's campaign with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
As a committed human rights advocate, she focuses her philanthropic efforts through her NGO project, the Omotola Youth Empowerment Programme (OYEP), which hosts empowerment walks and conventions for youth. She supported the Rewrite The Future Campaign by Save The Children UK in 2010.
She also became an Amnesty International campaigner in 2011, participating in campaigns addressing maternal mortality in Sierra Leone and advocating for environmental responsibility regarding oil spills in the Niger Delta.
In 2020, she visited a Tanzanian orphanage for HIV-infected children and, in 2021, joined the #SmokeFreeNollywood campaign to discourage smoking in films, supported by US non-profit organization Tobacco-Free Kids and Gatefield, a public strategy firm.
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde married Captain Matthew Ekeinde in 1996. They held a unique wedding ceremony onboard a Dash 7 aircraft flying from Lagos to Benin in 2001, with close family and friends present.
Their first daughter was born on March 30, 1997. The couple has four children: Princess Ekeinde, Captain E, Meraiah Ekeinde, and Micheal Ekeinde.
Her father, Shola Jalade, passed away in 1991.
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