Stephanie Okereke is a household name, and that’s not surprising considering the fact that she’s been working since she was a teenager. In what was no doubt a career milestone, Dry, a movie on Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) that she directed and co-produced, was nominated in 8 categories at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, winning Best Sound Editor and Best Overall Movie. Here are 10 interesting things about Stephanie Okereke that her fans may or may not know:
1. She loves to learn. She has two degrees —in English and Literary Studies, and in Environmental Studies —from the University of Calabar. She’s also studied at the New York Film Academy, graduating in 2007.
2. She comes from a family of entertainers. She’s the 6th of 8 children, all of whom are in the various sectors of the entertainment industry. Her mum, a teacher, has also done a bit of acting.
3. Her first movie was the 1997 sequel to Compromise: Compromise 2. Both movies starred Kate Henshaw and Ifeanyi Azodo. Remember? “Tell me was it worth it? Tell me was it wise? You made a compromise…” You’ve got to love Nollywood soundtracks, by the way!
4. She’s an ex-beauty queen. In 2002 she took part in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant, where she emerged first runner-up.
5. She has amazing “bouncebackability” that has seen her survive a devastating failed marriage (her two-year marriage to footballer Chikelue Iloenyosi was declared null and void by the courts because he was already married to a woman in the US), and a ghastly motor accident that nearly claimed her life; in 2005, on her way from a set in Owerri to Bayelsa where the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) was holding, a trailer lost control and collided with the airport taxi she was in and after a blackout, she managed to crawl out in spite of a broken leg and badly burnt face, hands and legs. Thankfully, she was able to tap into her inner strength, regain use of her leg, and smile again. The happy wife of Linus Idahosa doesn’t look like what she’s been through, and that’s a great thing!
6. She’s shared a stage with Meryl Streep. Yep, you read that right! In 2010 she played Hafsat Abiola-Costello in the opening night play of the Women in the World summit (a gathering of 300 global leaders from business, social activism, media, government, and the arts). Stephanie was one of the 7 actors featured at the 3-day event tagged “Women in the World: Stories and Solutions”. The impressive line-up headed by Meryl Streep also included Lauren Velez, Julyana Soelistyo, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Archie Punjabi and Marcia Gay Harden.
7. She made her debut as a producer, screenwriter, and director with her 2007 film, Through The Glass, which she shot in Los Angeles, California.
8. She has a big heart. In 2008 she founded The Extended Hands Foundation, partnering with reputable organisations for charity. Having created awareness for Mercy Ship when they were building a fistula hospital in Sierra Leone, she turned her attention to the plight of fistula sufferers in Nigeria — the theme of her award-winning movie, Dry.
9. Speaking of awards, the Afripro Houston Image Award, the Nollywood Outstanding Personality Award, the California Legislature Assembly Award of Recognition and the Beyond Tears Humanitarian Awards are just 4 of the many, many awards she has received. In 2011, she was honoured by the Nigerian government with the national honour, Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, (MFR).
10. She started writing her autobiography this year. Although she hasn’t titled it yet, it promises to be an inspiring and enjoyable read and her fans are certainly looking forward to it!
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