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Genoveva Umeh

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Genoveva Umeh
Born
Genoveva Kenechukwu Umeh

(1995-05-08) 8 May 1995 (age 29)
Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
Alma materUniversity of Surrey
Occupation(s)Actress, producer
Years active2016–present

Genoveva Kenechukwu Umeh (born 8 May 1995) is a British–Nigerian actress.[1][2] She won the Best Supporting Actress award at The AMVCA in 2024 for her role in the Prime Video Original, Breath of Life.[3] She was nominated for the Best Actress in a drama at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards 2022 for her role in A Tune Away.[4]  She also received critical acclaim for her roles in Nigerian's first Netflix original crime thriller series Blood Sisters and young adult series Far From Home.[5][6] One of her major film roles include One Lagos Night (2019). She also leads as Shindara in Episode 4 of Showmax's Original drama series Crime and Justice Lagos (2022).[7][8] In 2024, she won the best supporting actress at the 2024 AMVCA for her role in Breath of Life (2023).[9]

Biography

[edit]

Genoveva Umeh was raised both in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. She was born in Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria on 8 May 1995 to computer engineer, Gaius Umeh and nurse Ifeoma Umeh.[10]  She lived in Enugu until age 12 and received her primary education at Command Children's school, Enugu.

Umeh had her first year of secondary education at Command Day Secondary School, Enugu but later migrated with her family to the United Kingdom in 2006. She completed her secondary and A level education at St Mary's College of Education High School in London, United Kingdom.[11]

Umeh fell in love with acting while she was in secondary school and then pursued the craft by successfully completing a term at part time drama school, Identity School of Acting, UK in 2012.[12] She performed a few plays at the Hammersmith theatre in London during summer holidays. Afterwards, she obtained a degree in LLB Law from the University of Surrey, England, graduating with honours.[13][14]

Career

[edit]

Umeh moved to Lagos, Nigeria in 2018 to pursue her acting career. She wrote and performed a one-woman stage play, HOME, which performed at Lagos Fringe Festival in Lagos, Nigeria and a year later at Bloemfontein, South Africa.[15][16] She also performed as Lami in Rue14 studios stage Play, High to shine a light on substance abuse amongst teenagers in December 2018 and 2019.[17]

Umeh booked her first lead role in A Tune Away (2020), which earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the 2022 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice -Award 2022.[18] In 2019, she began her on-screen journey with a small role in Love is War, a cinema film that eventually found its home on Netflix. She then played Anita, a youthful London girl with a lot to hide in One Lagos Night released in 2021 and exclusive to Netflix two years after it was shot. She also played Khafilat in BAFTA nominated short film "Lizard" (2020).[19]

She was one of the first set of students admitted into Ebonylife Creative Academy in hopes that her talents will be seen.[20] She then featured in short films like "Monitoring Spirits", which earned her best supporting actress for her role as Sara. Other short films include "Reflections", "Focus" and "IJO".[21][22] Shortly, she caught the attention of Kenneth Gyang who recommended her to Mo Abudu and owner of the academy to audition for the role of Timeyin Ademola in Netflix original and Nigerian's firs Netflix original crime thriller series, Blood Sisters.[23]

Shortly after wrapping Blood Sisters she was cast to play Zina in Far From Home.[24]

Filmography

[edit]

Film/Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Ref
2019 Blameless Ezinne [25]
Love is War Young Lady [26]
2020 Survivor's Guilt Ayobami [27]
The Crazy Wife Alicia [28]
2021 Reflections Kenena [29]
Country Hard Funmi [30][31]
Focus Jess [32][33]
All Good Things Funmi [34]
Lizard Khafilat [35]
The Griot Associate producer [36][37][38]
One Lagos Night Anita [39]
Temi's Diary Omolara [40]
2022 Crime & Justice Shindara [41][42]
Breath of Life Anna [43][44]
Blood Sisters Timeyin [45][46]
Far From Home Zina [47][48]
IJO: A Love Story Molara [49][50]
A Tune Away Anita [51][52]
2023 Shuga (Season 5) Chika [53][54][55]
2023 A Tribe Called Judah Testimony [56]
2023 Breath of Life Anna
2024 Strawberry Chinny Chinny

|}

Theatre

[edit]
Year Title Role Short Notes
2016 Mind Body Soul Keisha T.D MOYO (Lyric Hammersmith London)
2018 High On Stage[57][58] Lami Philips Kenneth Uphoho (Rue 14 Studios)
Home[59] Genoveva Umeh Ibukun Fasunhan
Dodo Amarachi T.D MOYO

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Result Ref
2022 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award Best Actress in a Drama Nominated [60][61]
2023 The Future Awards Africa Prize for Acting Nominated [62]
2024 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Supporting Actress Won [63][64]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Genoveva Umeh Special Issue with TW Magazine". TW Magazine Website. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  2. ^ "MTV Shuga Naija unveils new cast for fifth season". Tribune Online. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Genoveva Umeh is the 2024 Best Supporting Actress in a Movie – AMVCA 10".
  4. ^ "Underrated Gems To Look Out For In 2023". thewillnews.com. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  5. ^ Tv, Bn (20 February 2023). "Genoveva Umeh opens up on her Nollywood Journey, Missed Opportunities & Landing the "Blood Sisters" Role on "Tea With Tay"". BellaNaija. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Sisters Bound By Blood- Blood Sisters: A Netflix Nigerian Thriller". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 1 May 2022. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  7. ^ Ogunsunlade, Imisioluwa (7 August 2022). "Genoveva Umeh: From Nollywood Fits and Starts To Breakout Star". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  8. ^ Obinna, Emelike (2 December 2022). "Crime and Justice Lagos: Showmax's new procedural drama series debuts December". Businessday NG. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  9. ^ Reporters, Our (12 May 2024). "AMVCA 2024: Iya Rainbow, RMD bag Lifetime awards as Bankole, Ojo win best actors". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Biography of Genoveva Umeh". NELOC News. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  11. ^ Tosin, Alamu (22 December 2022). "Genoveva Umeh Biography, Net Worth, Wikipedia, Age, Husband, State, Parents » Naija News 247". Naija News 247. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Genoveva: I fell in love with acting in high school". The Guardian. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  13. ^ "Genoveva Umeh: I'm a Natural Entertainer; I'm Inspired By People's Stories – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  14. ^ Akpobome, Deborah (26 January 2023). "I studied law as backup plan – Actress, Genoveva Umeh". CorrectNG. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  15. ^ "All About 'Home' At Lagos Fringe – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". independent.ng. 10 November 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  16. ^ "How Genoveva Umeh Became Nollywood's Rising Movie Star". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  17. ^ Fagbule, Kehindé (12 January 2023). "LOOKOUT, HERE THEY COME! 6 Faces We Expect To See More Of This Year – TheWill Downtown". Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  18. ^ "AMVCA Unveils Nomination List for 8th Edition – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  19. ^ Ogunsunlade, Imisioluwa (7 August 2022). "Genoveva Umeh: From Nollywood Fits and Starts To Breakout Star". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  20. ^ "Alumni – EbonyLife Creative Academy". Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  21. ^ "Genoveva Umeh and Others: Reflections". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  22. ^ "Watch "Ijo,"Charles Etubiebi and Genoveva Umeh's Love Story About Men's Vulnerability – Nollywire". 29 July 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  23. ^ tvcecontent (6 July 2022). "How I Was Able To Deliver The 'Timeyin' Role in Blood Sisters – Genove..." TVC. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  24. ^ "Watch Far From Home | Netflix Official Site". www.netflix.com. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  25. ^ Blameless (2019) – IMDb, retrieved 18 April 2023
  26. ^ Grey, Yousuph (9 September 2022). "TFC Chat: Wasn't Speaking to Anyone While Shooting at the Rehab – Genoveva Umeh". The Film Conversation. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  27. ^ "KOKO's Top 7 Fast-Rising Actresses To Watch Out For In Nigeria 2022". koko.ng. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  28. ^ "Genoveva Umeh". IMDb. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  29. ^ "Genoveva Umeh Biography | Profile". FabWoman. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  30. ^ "'Country Hard' Review: Paul Utomi's Long Dive in a Sea of Sadness". What Kept Me Up. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  31. ^ Country Hard (2021) – IMDb, retrieved 20 April 2023
  32. ^ Nwogu, Precious 'Mamazeus' (20 October 2021). "EndSARS: Watch 'Focus' short film directed by Tolulope Ajayi". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  33. ^ BellaNaija.com (22 October 2021). ""Focus" Paradigm Initiative's latest Short Film on Citizen Vigilance just Premiered & We Have Photos". BellaNaija. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  34. ^ Naijaray (11 August 2022). "All Good Things – Nollywood Full Movie". naijaray.com.ng. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  35. ^ BellaNaija.com (9 March 2021). "Akinola Davies Jr's "Lizard", Bukky Bakray, Wunmi Mosaku have been Nominated for the 2021 BAFTAs". BellaNaija. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  36. ^ "The Griot Review: A Simplistic Tale of a Storyteller and Secrets | Leisurebyte". 18 November 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  37. ^ Abdul-Hafeez, Adedimeji Quayyim (23 November 2022). "'The Griot' is an exploration into the intricacies of love, tradition and opportunities [Pulse Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  38. ^ "Adeoluwa Owu's "The Griot" is Simple and Soothing but Fails to Reach its Potential as an Epic – Afrocritik". 25 November 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  39. ^ Club, Film Rats (20 June 2021). "One Lagos Night is Nice and Easy". Film Rats Club. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  40. ^ Z, Drey (23 December 2021). "DOWNLOAD: Temi's Diary – Nollywood Movie". 365Trendies. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  41. ^ Peter, Dennis Ade (1 February 2023). "AV Club: 'Crime and Justice Lagos' tackles societal ills through police & legal procedure". The NATIVE. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  42. ^ "Crime and Justice Lagos: Promising Nigerian detective series screens in Lagos". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  43. ^ ShockNG (29 July 2022). "Genovevah Umeh, Chimezie Imo Join Cast of "Breath of Life Prime Video Original Directed by BB Sasore". ShockNG. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  44. ^ "Everything We Know About 'Breath of Life', Prime Video's First Commissioned Nigerian Film". What Kept Me Up. 10 September 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  45. ^ "Character I Played In Blood Sisters A Dream Role – Genoveva Umeh – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". independent.ng. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  46. ^ Nwogu, Precious 'Mamazeus' (19 April 2022). "Meet 'Blood Sisters' breakout star in '10 things to know about Genoveva Umeh'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  47. ^ Rasak-Oyadiran, Opeyemi (16 December 2022). "Far From Home: In Conversation With Genoveva, Elsa And Tomi". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  48. ^ Udodiong, Inemesit (26 December 2022). "'Far From Home': Genoveva Umeh, Tomi Ojo & Elma Mbadiwe on Netflix Original [Pulse Interview]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  49. ^ Nwogu, Precious 'Mamazeus' (30 August 2021). "Charles Etubiebi & Genoveva Umeh to star in Hello July's 'Ijo; A Love Story'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  50. ^ "Ijo: A Love Story". svaff.org. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  51. ^ A Tune Away (2022) – IMDb, retrieved 18 April 2023
  52. ^ Genoveva Umeh A Tune Away (2022) – IMDb, retrieved 18 April 2023
  53. ^ Media, IFM Social (30 January 2023). "Genoveva Umeh, Gbubemi Ejeye, And More Return For Season 5 Of MTV Shuga Naija". Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  54. ^ Akintonde, Oluwasola (4 February 2023). "MTV Shuga Naija Unveils New Cast For Fifth Season". Voice of Nigeria. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  55. ^ "MTV Shuga Naija Season 5 returns, meet the cast". Vanguard News.
  56. ^ "A Tribe Called Judah – Nollywood Movie – Netnaijas". Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  57. ^ "Stage Play 'High' returns in April". Businessday NG. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  58. ^ BellaNaija.com (17 December 2018). "Rue14 Studios to host a Stage Play tagged 'High' to Shine Light on Substance Abuse amongst Teenagers | 27–29 December". BellaNaija. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  59. ^ "All About 'Home' At Lagos Fringe – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". independent.ng. 10 November 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  60. ^ Spur, Brand (19 March 2022). "AMVCA Unveils Nomination List For 8th Edition". Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  61. ^ "2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  62. ^ "FULL LIST: Asake, Tobi Amusan, Osimhen nominated for TFAA 2023". TheCable Lifestyle. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  63. ^ Itodo, Sunny Green (12 May 2024). "2024 AMVCA: Full list of winners". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  64. ^ Ademola, Bisi (11 May 2024). "Full List Of The AMVCA 2024 Winners". African Folder. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
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