In honour of Genevieve Nnaji’s birthday on May 3rd, 2023, we celebrate the iconic Nollywood actress who has remained a leading figure in the Nigerian movie scene for over two decades.
Despite not appearing on our big screens as often, her name is still a household one, and we are reminded of some of her unforgettable performances. Here are five of Genevieve’s mind-blowing movie roles you should not have missed as a growing child!
1. Ijele — 1999
Genevieve Nnaji’s performance in Ijele put her career in motion. She played the role of Oma, a maiden loved by Ijele, a love-struck son of the god who would do anything for her. The movie explores the theme of love as Ijele travels through forbidden forests to find a cure for Oma when she falls ill. When forced to take up another bride, he refuses vehemently.
2. Blood Sisters — 2003
Blood Sisters is one of Genevieve’s most popular movies ever. She played the role of a villain, Esther, who had nothing but hatred for her sister, Gloria, played by Omotola Jalade Ekeinde. Her envy of her sister’s better luck with men eventually led to her taking her sister’s life and seducing her husband. Genevieve perfectly played the role of a wicked sister and stepmother.
3. Ije (The Journey) — 2010
Ije portrays Genevieve and Omotola as two mighty actresses with seamless chemistry. Genevieve played the character of Chioma, who leaves Nigeria for a foreign land to exonerate her sister, Anya, who was accused of killing her husband.
4. Road To Yesterday — 2015
Road To Yesterday is a love story of estranged couples who make efforts to fix their marriage while on a road trip. After a short hiatus, Genevieve returned to the screen for this movie and delivered a great performance.
5. Lion Heart — 2018
As the leading actress, director, co-producer, and writer of Lion Heart, Genevieve’s performance is outstanding. She played the role of Adaeze, who struggles in a patriarchal environment because of her gender. Adaeze strives to prove her worth and become the CEO of her father’s transport company. The movie opened gates for Nigeria’s entry into Netflix and is possibly Genevieve’s biggest film ever.
Genevieve Nnaji’s contributions to the Nigerian movie industry have been invaluable. Her talent, hard work, and dedication have made her an icon in the industry. Happy birthday to the never-aging Nollywood queen!
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