| Next Movie Star | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Sola Fajobi |
| Country of origin | Nigeria |
| No. of seasons | 12 |
| Original release | |
| Release | 2005 – 2016 |
Next Movie Star is a reality television series, that is centered around discovering new talents in the acting profession. The show was created in Nigeria by Sola Fajobi in 2004, and in 2016 had grown to have representation from ten African countries. Participants are normally camped together for some weeks, and are groomed to become knowledgeable and skilled in their craft. The program is usually broadcast to several television channels across the continent.
Some of its alumni that have become established in the entertainment industry includes' Tonto Dikeh (2005), Uti Nwachukwu, Karen Igho, Annie Idibia (2005), Tamara Eteimo, Lydia Forson (2007), Belinda Effah, Cynthia Shalom, Bolaji Ogunmola, Moyo Lawal (2006), Seun Akindele, Kevin Chuwang Pam (2006), Martha Ankomah (2007) and Esau Owusu Dahnsaw (2015).
The first edition of Next Movie Star (NMS) was in 2005, consisting of aspiring Nigerian actors. Its founder, Sola Fajobi stated in an interview that it is Nigeria's second ever reality show. [1] By 2010, the show expanded to include ten African countries including Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Aside having a career in the film industry, participants of NMS have also seen success in other reality television shows, such as Big Brother Africa and Project Fame West Africa. [2] [3] [4]
In 2008, former winner Portia Yamaha was nominated as best upcoming actress at the 2008 Africa Movie Academy Awards, the biggest celebration of film on the African continent. [5] [6]
In 2014, commemorating the 10th edition, child actors were involved in the reality show. This was the first time children will be taught acting since the show began in 2005. [7]
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Kinglesy Ogbosso [8] |
| 2006 | Porttia Yahamah [8] |
| 2007 | Enoch Hammond [9] |
| 2008 |  Avenette Tennema Sirleaf [10] |
| 2009 |  Oyindamola Odesola [11] |
| 2010 | Ilami Whyte [12] |
| 2011 | Tamara Eteimo [13] |
| 2012 | Halimat Aitsegame [14] |
| 2013 | Feyisekemi Ayomiposi Akinwale [15] |
| 2014 |  Ron Solomon Maxwell [16] |
| 2015 | Cynthia Shalom [17] |
| 2016 | Modesinuola Ogundiwin [18] |
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, is a Nigerian actress, singer, philanthropist and former model. Since her Nollywood film debut in 1995, Ekeinde has appeared in over 300 films, selling millions of copies. Omotola is the second Nigerian and first Nigerian celebrity to receive over 1 million likes on her Facebook page. She currently has a total of 3 million followers on Facebook.
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.
Juliet Ibrahim is a Ghanaian actress, film producer, and singer of Lebanese, Ghanaian and Liberian descent. She won the Best Actress in a Leading Role award at the 2010 Ghana Movie Awards for her role in 4 Play. She has been referred to as the "Most Beautiful West African Woman" according to A-listers Magazine.
Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele popularly known as Funke Akindele or Jenifa, is a Nigerian filmmaker, actress, director, producer and politician. Akindele starred in the sitcom I Need to Know from 1998 to 2002 and in 2009, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, for her role in Jenifa, which brought her to fame. Akindele reprised the role in 2011 sequel The Return of Jenifa and 2015 soft reboot television series titled Jenifa's Diary, for which she was named the Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 and 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Akindele won the same award in 2020 and 2022, making it her fifth win for the Best Actress in a Comedy category. Akindele is the most nominated actress/filmmaker at the AMVCA and holds the record for most wins for an actress with six. She is the second director to gross over a billion naira at box office and is currently the Highest-Grossing Director in Nigerian Box Office with a total gross of over ₦2.9 billion.
Stephanie Okereke Linus is a Nigerian actress, film director and model. She has received several awards and nominations for her work as an actress, including the 2003 Reel Award for Best Actress, the 2006 Afro Hollywood Award for Best Actress, and three nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2005, 2009 and 2010. She was also the runner up for the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria beauty pageant of 2002. In 2011, she was honoured by the Nigerian government with a national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR. Stephanie is also a scriptwriter, a Producer and a Director.
The Africa Movie Academy Awards, popularly known as AMAA and The AMA Awards, are presented annually to recognize excellence among professionals working in, or non-African professionals who have contributed to, the African film industry. It was founded by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe and is run through the Africa Film Academy. The awards are aimed at honouring and promoting excellence in the African movie industry as well as uniting the African continent through arts and culture.
Lydia Forson is a Ghanaian actress, writer, and producer. In 2010 she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Chika 'Nancy' Ike is a Nigerian actress, television personality, producer, business woman, philanthropist and former model.
Gregory Artus Frank, also known as Frank Artus, is a Liberian actor, director, and producer in the West African film industries.
Tamara Eteimo also known by her stage name Tamara Jones, is a Nigerian R&B singer-songwriter and Actor. Since her Nollywood film debut in 2011, right after she won the seventh edition of the Next Movie Star reality show, the actress has appeared in over 50 films. She was ranked second in Charles Novia's annual rankings of Nollywood actresses for 2013 and has been nominated for numerous awards. Eteimo completed her primary and secondary school education in Port Harcourt before enrolling at the University of Port Harcourt to study Theatre Arts. As of May 2010, she had released singles "Vibrate" and "Na Only you" from her debut studio album. She won the 2013 Next Movie Star winner and she claims to be eyeing the oscar award.
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.
Queen Nwokoye is a Nigerian actress. She is best known for starring as the lead character in a 2014 film titled Chetanna which earned her a "Best Actress" nomination at the 11th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Pascal Amanfo is a Nigerian film director, based primarily in the Ghana film industry.
Bisola Aiyeola is a Nigerian actress, compere, singer, songwriter,TV/Radio presenter, mimic and Founder of Brown Girls Magic.
A Long Night is a 2015 Nollywood movie directed by Ike Nnaebue.
Gloria Young is a Nigerian actress and former journalist who has featured in more than 70 movies and has won the City People Movie Award for Movie Couple of the Year at the City People Entertainment Awards.
Kenneth Obinna Okolie is a Nigerian actor, model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Mr Nigeria 2010 and in 2015 won the City People Movie Award for Best Supporting Actor of the Year (English) at the City People Entertainment Awards.
Cynthia Shalom is a Nigerian actress, producer, blogger, and businessperson. She won season 11 of the reality show, Next Movie Star. She has since then featured in several Nollywood films. She was featured in the M-net TV series Tinsel.
Israel Owusu Dahnsaw, commonly known as Major Dahnsaw, is a Liberian actor, Pastor, Administrator, Voice over artist and model. He is the Most Outstanding Liberian Actor/Frank Artus Studio in 2016. He is the third runner-up of the 11th edition of the Nigerian television show The Next Movie Star in 2015.