Majid Michel | |
---|---|
Born | Cantonments, Accra, Ghana | 22 September 1980
Alma mater | Mfantsipim School |
Occupation(s) | Actor and pastor |
Years active | 2000–present |
Spouse | Virna Michel |
Children | 3 [1] |
Awards | Best Actor, Africa Movie Academy Awards 2012 |
Website | majidmichel |
Majid Michel (born 22 September 1980) is a Ghanaian actor, model, television personality, evangelist and a humanitarian. He received nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2017. [2] [3] He eventually won the award in 2012 after three previous consecutive nominations. [4] [5] Majid Michel attended Mfantsipim School, along with fellow actor Van Vicker.
Michel was born in Cantonments, a suburb of the Ghanaian capital Accra. The son of a Lebanese father and a Ghanaian mother, [3] he grew up in Accra with his nine siblings. He attended St. Theresa's Primary School, and later, the Mfantsipim School, the alma mater of Van Vicker and also of former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. In secondary school, Michel was actively involved in theatre and was a member of the school's Drama Club. As a member of the drama club, he received a Best Actor Award in one of their performances on Emancipation Day in Cape Coast, Ghana. [3]
Michel entered professional acting by auditioning for a modelling agency; a neighbour had introduced him to that agency. He was invited to join the modelling agency, Super Model Agency, on the behest of his next-door neighbour. He starred in the television series Things We Do for Love , acquiring his nickname "Shaker" on the set. His role in Things We Do for Love was to be played by a Lebanese boy, and Michel attributes being given the role due to his Lebanese heritage. In a 2017 interview with Star FM Ghana, Majid explained that he didn't get the role for the first film he auditioned due to poor acting from him, describing his "passion for acting" as what made him to continue to press forward in the film industry. [6]
Things We Do For Love became a success and propelled him into the mainstream. On the strength of his performance in the series, he was cast in his first movie, Divine Love, as the male lead, alongside Jackie Aygemang as the female lead, with Van Vicker in a supporting role. All three used their roles in the movie to debut their movie careers. Divine Love was a huge success, turning Majid Michel, Jackie Agyemang and Van Vicker into household names across Ghana.[ citation needed ]
In 2008, Michel starred as the lead role in the film Agony of the Christ, which received seven nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2009. [2] In October 2017, Majid revealed that he is paid at least $15,000 for a role in a film, he also disclosed that he has earned as much as $35,000 to star in a film. [7] In 2016, Majid explained that despite playing mostly romantic roles in films, he has never had a sexual relationship with an actress. [8] In October 2017, Majid explained on a radio interview that due to his religious beliefs, he will no-longer accept to play character that requires him to kiss on set. [9]
Michel is one of the Ghanaian actors who got into the film industry during the period in which Frank Rajah Arase signed a contract with Ghana's Abdul Salam Mumuni of Venus Films. The contract basically involved introducing Ghanaian actors into the mainstream Nollywood film industry and making them have a star power comparable to Nigerian actors. Films produced under this contract featured Michel include: Crime to Christ (2007), Agony of Christ (2008), Heart of Men (2009), The Game (2010) and Who Loves Me? (2010) amongst others. [10]
Michel made his Nigerian Nollywood debut in the 2009 romantic drama, Emerald, playing a leading role alongside Genevieve Nnaji. While Majid's performance was commended, along with his strong on-screen chemistry with Nnaji, the film received largely mixed to negative reviews. [11] [12] However, the 2009 film Silent Scandals brought Majid into prominence in Nigeria; [13] [14] The film received wide positive critical review for its high production values and Michel's performance, along with his strong on-screen chemistry with Genevieve Nnaji. [15] [16] [17] Nollywood Forever Comments: "His [Michel's] intensity is concentrated in his eyes and he uses it well so it is understandable that he always gets roles in which love and women and the seduction of them play a large role". [18] Same year, another film featuring Michel, Guilty Pleasures was released; [19] Guilty Pleasures upon release was met with generally positive reviews, with praise given to Michel's performance as well. [20] [21] [22] [23] He continued this lucrative trend into 2010, where he starred alongside Genevieve Nnaji once more in Bursting Out , [24] a film which got mixed critical reviews. [25] [26] [27] [28]
Michel was quite outspoken in the media when he started off his career in Nigeria; He confessed in an interview that the first time he met Genevieve, "everything stood still"; he was so star struck that he offered to carry her bag and to be her personal assistant. [29] In another interview, he stated that Genevieve Nnaji is the best kisser in the film industry. [30] [31] [32] He also stated in an interview that Genevieve taught him "how to act", [33] and also implied in another interview that Ghana has no film industry. [34] [35] All of these, along with the explicit roles he played in films made him have controversies always trailing him during his early days. In late 2010, it was reported that the actor is taking a break from Nigeria after receiving death threats supposedly from his Nigerian colleagues, who thinks that he is getting too many jobs. [36] [37] During this time, he went back to act in Ghana, where he featured in films such as 4 Play (2010) and its sequel 4 Play Reloaded (2011).[ citation needed ]
In 2012, he starred in the War film Somewhere in Africa , playing a tyrant. Though the film didn't do well critically, Michel's role delivery got him wide acclaim, [38] [39] and he won an Africa Movie Academy Award for the first time. [4] [5] This launched his career once again in Nigeria where he has since established himself as a star and has been featured in mainstream Nigerian films. In 2014, he co-starred in the all-time blockbuster 30 Days in Atlanta for which he got listed by Nigerian Cinema Exhibition Coalition as one of the highest box office grosser of 2014. [40] Other 2014 films featuring Michel include: Forgetting June , which was met with generally negative reviews. [41] He however featured in Knocking on Heaven's Door and Being Mrs Elliot , both of which had decent performance, commercially and critically. [42] [43]
"Just a Night"(2018) " My Husbands Diary" (2018)
"River Hotel" TV series,(2019 -2020)Majid Michel is married and has three children. [49] On 19 November 2015, he revealed that his wife of 10 years was responsible for his success. [50] And he references only God before her. He renewed his marriage vows in the same year. [51]
Majid is a born-again Christian. [52] [53] On 4 October 2016, he was a guest minister at a local church where he shared the word and performed deliverance on people. [54] Speaking to Joy F.M in Ghana, Majid described his new spiritual life as "genuine and inspired from his understanding from the Bible". [55] On 1 April 2017, he explained that his refined relationship with God has cost him some of his friends. He went further to state that his present friends are determined solely through vision from God. [56] In a 2017 sermon celebrating Easter, Majid summarised the whole essence of the cruxification of Christ as being to "overthrow racism, hate, envy, jealousy, pride, war and demonic powers with a simple filled-grace life". [57] In October 2017, Majid stated that he has been used by God to perform miracles on people. [58] On masturbation, Majid described the act as a sin towards God. He went further to state that it was inevitable for one to engage in the act at least once in a lifetime. [59] He also disclosed that he was once a victim in his younger years but encourages youths to desist from it. [60] [61] During a social media debate with Freeze, Majid disagreed with Freeze stance on tithing. Majid argued that tithing was not an old testament doctrine. [62] Rather, he opined that tithe should be given to the church to help the poor. [63]
The cinema of Nigeria, often referred to informally as Nollywood, consists of films produced in Nigeria; its history dates back to as early as the late 19th century and into the colonial era in the early 20th century. The history and development of the Nigerian motion picture industry is sometimes generally classified in four main eras: the Colonial era, Golden Age era, Video film era and the emerging New Nigerian cinema era.
Genevieve Nnaji is a Nigerian actress, producer, and director. She won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005, making her the first actor to win the award. In 2011, she was honoured as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by the Nigerian government for her contributions to Nollywood. Her directorial debut movie, Lionheart, is the first Netflix film from Nigeria and the first Nigerian submission for the Oscars. The movie was disqualified for having most of its dialogue in English. After having spent decades in the movie industry, she was profiled alongside some celebrities and business executives in 2020 in two new books by publisher and Editor in Chief of Yes International! magazine, Azuh Arinze.
Joseph van Vicker, better known as Van Vicker, is a Ghanaian actor, movie director and humanitarian. He is the chief executive officer of Sky + Orange production, a film production house. Van Vicker received two nominations for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" and "Best Upcoming Actor" at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008.
Jackie Appiah is a Canadian-born Ghanaian actress. For her work as an actress, she has received several awards and nominations, including the awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2010 Africa Movie Academy Awards; and Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2007. She received two nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role and Best Upcoming Actress at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008. Glitz Africa Honors Her with Excellence in Creative Art Award at Ghana Women of the Year Honors 2023. She is a movie producer, fashion model and a humanitarian.
Ijé or Ijé: The Journey is a 2010 Nigerian drama film directed by Chineze Anyaene and starring Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Genevieve Nnaji, and Odalys García.
Make a Move is a 2014 Nigerian dance musical film produced by Ivie Okujaye and directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, starring Ivie Okujaye, Tina Mba, Beverly Naya, Wale Adebayo, Victor Godfery, Helga Sosthenes and Eno Ekpenyong, with special appearances from Majid Michel, Denrele Edun, 2face Idibia and Omawumi Megbele.
Somewhere in Africa: The Cries of humanity is a 2011 Ghanaian drama film directed by Frank Rajah Arase, starring Majid Michel, Martha Ankomah and Kofi Adjorlolo. It received 7 nominations at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards including categories: Best Actor in a Leading Role, Achievement in Soundtrack, Achievement in Visual effects and Achievement in Make-Up. Majid Michel was the recipient of the film's only award.
Guilty Pleasures is a 2009 Nigerian drama film directed by Desmond Elliot and Daniel Ademinokan, starring Ramsey Nouah, Majid Michel and Nse Ikpe Etim. It was nominated for Best Screenplay at the 6th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Beverly Naya (born Beverly Ifunaya Bassey; 17 April is a British-born Nigerian actress. Beverly won Most Promising Talent at the 2010 Best of Nollywood Awards. She also won the award for Fast Rising Actress at the 2011 City People Entertainment Awards.
Heart of Men is a 2009 Ghanaian Nigerian thriller film produced & directed by Frank Rajah Arase, and starring Majid Michel, John Dumelo, Prince David Osei and Yvonne Nelson. It received five nominations at the 6th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
The Game is a 2010 Ghanaian Nigerian thriller film directed by Frank Rajah Arase, starring Majid Michel, Yvonne Okoro and Yvonne Nelson.
Bursting Out is a 2010 Nigerian drama film directed by Desmond Elliot, and starring Majid Michel, Genevieve Nnaji & Desmond Elliot. It premièred at Odeon Cinema, Greenwich, London on 29 October 2010.
The 2010 Ghana Movie Awards was the maiden edition of the ceremony to reward cinematic achievement in Ghana Film Industry. The event was held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Accra on 25 December 2010. Sinking Sands, Juliet Ibrahim, Nadia Buari, Yvonne Okoro, Majid Michel, John Dumelo & Genevieve Nnaji were among the winners.
House of Gold is a 2013 Ghanaian Nigerian comedy film, produced by Yvonne Nelson and directed by Pascal Amanfo. It stars Majid Michel, Yvonne Nelson, Omawumi Megbele, Mercy Chinwo, Ice Prince Zamani, Eddie Watson and Francis Odega.
Blossom Chukwujekwu is a Nigerian actor, who made his professional acting debut in 2009. In 2015, he won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
Nollywood, a portmanteau of Nigeria and Hollywood, is a sobriquet that originally referred to the Nigerian film industry. The origin of the term goes back to the early 2000s, traced to an article in The New York Times. Due to the history of evolving meanings and contexts, there is no clear or agreed-upon definition for the term, which has made it a subject of several controversies.
Yul Chibuike Daniel Edochie popularly known as Yul Edochie is a Nigerian actor. He is from Anambra State, Nigeria, the son of a veteran Nigerian actor Pete Edochie.
Road To Yesterday is a 2015 Nigerian road romantic drama film directed by Ishaya Bako. It stars Genevieve Nnaji and Oris Erhuero in lead roles, with Majid Michel and Chioma 'Chigul' Omeruah in supporting roles. The film, which is co-produced by Genevieve Nnaji, is the actress' first effort as a producer.
Deyemi Okanlawon(; born 19 April 1979) is a Nigerian film, television, theatre and voice actor. He is best known for his roles in Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Blood Sisters and King of Boys: The Return of the King. He has been listed as the highest grossing Nollywood actor of 2020 and 2021.
Lionheart is a 2018 Nigerian drama film produced by Chinny Onwugbenu and directed by Genevieve Nnaji. It stars Pete Edochie, Genevieve Nnaji, and Nkem Owoh. It was acquired by Netflix on 7 September 2018, making it the first Netflix original film produced in Nigeria. Lionheart premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival in Canada. The movie was Nnaji's directorial debut as well as Peter Okoye's and Chibuzor Azubuike's acting debut. The film was released worldwide on 4 January 2019 on Netflix.