Adunni Ade (Listen) is a Nigerian American actress[1] and model.[2][3][4] She was born on the 7th of June 1976 in Queens, New York to a German American mother and a Nigerian father from Lagos.[5]

Adunni Ade
Adunni at the AMVCAs 2020
Born
Adunni Adewale

Queens, NY, U.S.
Nationality
Alma materUniversity of Kentucky
Occupation(s)Actress, Film Maker, Model
Years active2006–present
Children2

Early life and education

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Adunni Ade was born in Queens, New York[6] to a German-Irish mother and a Yoruba Nigerian father.[7][8]

She is a Nollywood Actress, Film maker and fashion enthusiast. She returned to Nigeria when she was a year and half old with her parents to attend her grandfather's burial. She was brought up in Lagos State, Nigeria by her father till she was in her late teens and moved back to the United States for her university education.

She attended the Chrisland primary school, Opebi, Lagos State, where she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate. She obtained her Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) at the Bells Comprehensive Secondary School Ota, Ogun State.[9]

Her Lagos-based father, who is also a successful businessman inspired her to study accounting. Adunni Ade studied accounting at the University of Kentucky.[10] Prior to her return to Nigeria, Adunni Ade worked with the State of Kentucky in the Housing sector providing living assistance and also the State of Maryland in the Medical Insurance department providing medical insurance (Medicare and Medicaid) to those in need.

Career

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Adunni Ade worked in the housing and insurance sectors in the United States before switching to the entertainment industry.[11] Adunni ventured into fashion modeling and was featured in America's Next Top Model. After moving back to Nigeria, she landed her first Nollywood role when she acted in the Yoruba language film "You or I" in 2013.

Her short video comedy skit "Date Gone Bad", which was released on YouTube in 2014, recorded more than 170,000 hits.[12]

She has featured in over 250 Nollywood movies in both English and Yoruba languages.[13][14] In 2021, Adunni Ade ventured into Film production with her Film production company Lou-Ellen Clara Company Limited and debuted her first film as an executive producer SOÓLÈ featuring A list Actors in the country such as Sola Sobowale, Femi Jacobs, Meg Otanwa, Shawn Faqua, Lateef Dimeji. The movie was Directed by Kayode Kasum. Soólè hit the cinemas November 26, 2021 and grossed 10.2million naira in its opening weekend and 16 million naira in its opening week. After 9 weeks in the cinemas, soólè hit over 51 million naira in the box office making it top 10 Nollywood movies in cinemas for 2021. SOÓLÈ received in 2022 an AMVCA (Africa Magic Viewer's Choice Award) nomination Best Actor in a comedy for Shawn Faqua

She also received her first Yoruba Award for Best Yoruba Actress for the 5th Edition of Cool Wealth awards.[15][16][17]

She received a Stella Award from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism for her efforts in promoting the Nigerian culture.[18]

In 2017, Adunni Ade became the brand ambassador for OUD Majestic.[19]

In 2018, she wrote and produced her first Yoruba movie titled: "Emi Mi – My Soul", directed by Saheed Balogun. The movie starred Ibrahim Chatta, D'Marion Young, Sunkanmi Omobolanle and Sola Kosoko.[9]

Later that year, she produced another Yoruba drama movie titled: "Ewa – Beauty", directed by Saheed Balogun and featured Ibrahim Chatta, Yinka Quadri, Kunle Omisore and Tayo Sobola.[9] She has been featured in well over 100 movies in Nigeria (both in the English and Yoruba aspect of Nollywood).

Personal life

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Ade is the mother of two boys - Ayden Young and D’marion Young.[20][21][22][23]

Selected filmography

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Film

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  • Tokunbo (2024) as Iya Mulika
  • Lakatabu (2024)
  • All of Us (2024) as Elijah's Mum
  • Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (2024)
  • Ijogbon (2023) as Chidera
  • What No One knows (2023) as Ifelolu Akenuwa
  • Walking in the Shadow (2023)
  • In Bed with the Pedros (2023) as Teniola
  • Intercession (2023) as Nina
  • The Devil You Know (2023) as Bola
  • Arodan (2023) as Rumola
  • The one for Sarah (2022) as Joy
  • U - Turn (2022) as Amaga (Paraga Seller)
  • Alaga (2022)
  • The Perfect Arrangement (2022) as Veronica Otukpo
  • Love or Death (2022) as Adesewa
  • Iwora (2022) as Doyin
  • The Silent Baron (2021)
  • Soole (2021) as Sister Veronica
  • Witches (2020) s Kemi
  • Coincidence (2020)
  • Ratnik (2020) as Peppa
  • Mama Drama (2020)
  • The New Normal (2020) as Monica/Faithful
  • Soul behavior (2020)
  • House Of Contention (2019)
  • Ole Ole (2019)
  • Boss of All Bosses (2018)
  • The Vendor (2018) as Morayo
  • Falz Experience (2018)
  • Heaven on my mind (2018)
  • Lagos landing (2018) as Priestess
  • Orunsewa (2018) as Ilaorun
  • Guynman (2017) as Ayo
  • The Island (2017) as Mrs. Coker
  • The Blogger's Wife (2017)
  • For The wrong reasons (2016) as Boma
  • Diary of a Lagos girl (2016)
  • Schemers (2016) as Cynthia
  • Diary of a Lagos Girl (2016)
  • For The Wrong Reasons (2016) as Boma
  • It's Her Day (2016) Earned her the nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Africa's biggest Movie Awards, AMVCA in 2017. She also won Best Supporting Actress Award at the Lagos Film Festival for the movie.
  • Head Gone (2015)
  • So in Love (2015)
  • What's Within (2014)
  • 2nd Honeymoon (2014)
  • Iwo tabi emi (2011)[24][25][26]

Television

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  • Behind the Cloud
  • Babatunde Diaries
  • Jenifa's Diary Season 2
  • Sons of the caliphate Season 2

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Trin, Mercy (February 23, 2022). "Actress Adunni Ade leaves fans in awe over striking resemblance with her mum". Kemi Filani News. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  2. ^ "I am a sucker for Love". The Nation. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  3. ^ "Nollywood actress reveals nationality says marriage is not in her agenda". Naija gists. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  4. ^ "I Feel Happier And Fulfilled - Adunni Ade On Converting Back To Islam". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. April 27, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  5. ^ "Adunni Ade Biography; Early Life, Is She Married?". Naijabiography Media. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  6. ^ "Adunni Ade … Chic, Sexy N' Expressive". The Guardian. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  7. ^ Elizabeth Akindele. "Adunni Ade: Stylish diva". New Telegraph. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  8. ^ Okonofua, Odion (April 19, 2021). "Actress Adunni Ade recounts how growing up in Nigeria was the darkest moment in her life". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c "Adunni Ade (Producer, Writer, Actress) | Biography, Photo, and Movies | InsideNolly". www.insidenolly.ng. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  10. ^ "ADUNNI ADE TALKS ON HER MIXED BACKGROUND & GROWING UP". Soundcity Television. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  11. ^ "Adunni Ade biography, net worth, age, family, contact & picture". www.manpower.com.ng. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  12. ^ Kalau, Nina (August 9, 2017). "Life story of Adunni Ade will make you love this amazing actress". Legit.ng – Nigeria news. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  13. ^ "I was extremely nervous in my first movie – Adunni Ade, actress". Sun news. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  14. ^ "'Why I debuted in Saidi Balogun's You and I'-Adunni Adewale". Encomium. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  15. ^ "Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 8 Nominees".
  16. ^ "EXCLU: Soole is Adunni Ade's Grand Entrance as Box Office Lead & Film Executive". November 19, 2021.
  17. ^ "Congratulations to Actress Adunni Ade as She Bags Her First Award in Yoruba Film Industry (Best Actress) » NollyGistvibes". January 10, 2022.
  18. ^ "Adunni appreciates NIJ". The Nation. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  19. ^ "Adunni Ade and Bolanle Ninolowo Unveil The #OUDMAJSETICINSPIREMAGIC Ad Campaign For Oud Majestic Luxury Perfume Store". Today's Woman. Archived from the original on January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  20. ^ "Adunni Ade opens up about Life as a Single Parent, Overcoming Personal Obstacles, Finding Love & More in Latest Issue of Motherhood In-Style Magazine". BellaNaija. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  21. ^ "Checkout actress Aduni Ade and her adorable two sons". Nigeriafilms.
  22. ^ "ADUNNI ADE APPRECIATES NIJ STUDENTS". The Nation. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  23. ^ "Why I Did Not Marry The Father Of My Children- Adunni Ade". Naij. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  24. ^ "Adunni Ade | Actress, Producer". IMDb.
  25. ^ "8 things you should know about Adunni Ade". The Pulse. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  26. ^ "I'm Proud Of My Yoruba Background – Actress, Adunni". Naij. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
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