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Why I relocated to America – Actress Doris Simeon

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For nearly a decade, fans of Nollywood actress, Doris Simeon, whose roles in Yoruba films in the 2000s captivated many, continued to yearn for her on-screen brilliance.

In an interview with actor Kunle Afod, Doris opened up about her hiatus and journey to America, inferring that the decision to leave Nigeria six years ago was personal.

She said: “Many people know that my child and his father are in America, and that’s one of the reasons I relocated to America.”

Doris married filmmaker Daniel Ademinokan, whom he met on a movie set in 2008 but divorced in 2011. The union produced a son, David. Upon their divorce, the filmmaker moved to America, where he married Stella Damasus, whom he would later divorce.

 

Although fully settled in the US, Doris says she misses home, especially the Nigerian delicacies.

 

“I left Nigeria in 2018, and since then, I haven’t returned to the country. Even though I miss Nigeria, especially the roadside food and street vendors, I long for my family and friends and being on set, especially when I see actors and actresses sharing behind-the-scenes moments on their social media platforms.”

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The 44-year-old actress stated that she plans to visit Nigeria within the next one to two years.

 

Journey to America
After facing several denials, Doris revealed she got her visa to travel to America in 2012. The actress, who portrayed Da Grin’s girlfriend in 2010 ‘Ghetto Dreamz’ and co-produced ‘Omo Iya Kan’, said her initial attempt was in 2009 in Abuja but was denied, adding that she lost hope afterwards.

“I did the one I got in Lagos State, and when I wanted to go for the interview, I went to get a place to sleep on the Island to reach the embassy early because I was living on the Mainland. But I discovered I had left my passport at home. So, I decided to return to Akute on the Mainland to pick it up, but I encountered heavy traffic. When I arrived in Akute, my friend who was living there brought it for me.

 

“There was heavy traffic on the Third Mainland bridge, but I reached the embassy’s parking lot by 7:00 AM and began searching for my visa receipt. I gave up and planned to return home before finding the receipt in my wallet. Upon reaching the embassy, they only asked me what I was going for, and I said an award. They inquired if it was NEA, and I confirmed. They searched the movie online, found my name, and that’s how I obtained my visa,’’ she recalled.

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The 2010 Zafaa Award winner for Best Indigenous Actress said she only visited America and returned to Nigeria before she decided to move in 2018 permanently.

America
The 2008 AMAA Awards’ Best Indigenous Actress noted that beginning a new life in America wasn’t easy.

The actress, currently a hairdresser, said: “If you’re lazy, you’ll suffer, and those who have been here for the past 20 and 50 years aren’t finding life easy. The system wasn’t designed to allow you to afford some bills without working or being given money. If you don’t work, you won’t eat or pay your bills; if the bills aren’t, the person will sleep in the cold. I have done much work since I relocated, such as a delivery job, personal shopper, and hairdresser. I currently work at ‘Heart and Home for Youths, a foster care and group home programs for youth and teen mothers in Maryland. ”

 

The actress, who received the 2015 All Youths Tush Awards AYTA Role Model (Movie) Award, added that one of the most challenging aspects for her was waking up early for work.

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Doris, who secured her first role at an audition for a cameo in a situational comedy sitcom produced by Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP) titled ‘Papa Ajasco’ said, “The timing can vary depending on the shift, but regardless of the job, individuals still need to wake up early.”

 

Doris began her acting career with roles in three episodes of the Papa Ajasco comedy series and starred in several movies, including Oloju Ede, Alakada, Ten Million Naira, Modupe Temi, Eti Keta, and others.

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Entertainment

Davido sacks lawyer, Bobo Ajudua

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Nigerian Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has confirmed that he fired his lawyer and longtime friend, Prince Bobo Ajudua.

The singer confirmed the news on his Instagram story while reacting to a blog post that suggested he sacked Bobo Ajudua, over embezzlement.

Reports emerged that Davido recently sacked his long-term business partner and lawyer for embezzling $370,000.

However, reacting, the singer stated that that wasn’t the case, clarifying  that they are still friends even though they are no longer business partners.

Sharing a screenshot of the report via his Instagram account, he wrote: “This was not the case at all! We are still very good friends! In business things evolve and change all the time! Please everyone disregard this narrative.”

What this means is that Bobo has ceased to be one of the point contacts in business dealings with Davido and his record label. The reason for the firing was not specified.

Bobo went to the same secondary school as Davido, where he was his senior, and once co-managed the singer and was part of his music management team.

Bobo who was his lawyer for several years is the only child of alleged serial fraudster, Fred Ajudua and his politician wife, Patricia

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Autopsy couldn’t ascertain cause of Mohbad’s death – Pathologist

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The toxicology test carried out on late music star, Ilerioluwa Aloba popularly known as Mohbad revealed that the singer’s cause of death cannot be ascertained.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wahab Shittu, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the coroner’s inquest held in Lagos State on Wednesday.

 

According to him, the pathologist in charge of the autopsy told the coroner that the deceased’s body had decomposed by the time the test was conducted.

 

He said, “According to him (pathologist), the cause of death cannot be determined because by the time they conducted the test, the body had decomposed and that it is not possible for them to determine the cause of death.

 

“So, in summary, he is saying the cause of death cannot be ascertained. When you say the cause of death cannot be ascertained, it means it is suspicious, it is not clear. No particular reason.”

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According to Shittu, the pathologist further stated that the late singer may have died due to a reaction to certain drugs administered to him before he died.

 

“He went further to say that he does not know whether it is those drugs that led to the death,” he added.

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Entertainment

FULL LIST: Wale Ojo, Layi Wasabi win big as ‘Breath of Life’ shines at 2024 AMVCA

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Wale Ojo, Kehinde Bankole, Layi Wasabi, and Demola Adedoyin were among the winners at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA).

 

The annual event, which recognises outstanding performances in television, film, and entertainment took place on Saturday night at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

 

Bankole defeated Funke Akindele and Ireti Doyle to clinch the ‘Best Lead Actress’ category.

Ojo won the ‘Best Lead Actor’ category while Demola snagged the ‘Best Supporting Actor’ award for their roles in ‘Breath of Life’ respectively.

 

The award ceremony featured captivating performances from music stars such as Adekunle Gold, Chike, Seyi Sodimu, and Shaffy Bello.

 

‘Breath of Life’ was the biggest winner of the night, clinching six categories — including ‘Best Lead Actor’, ‘Best Supporting Actor’, ‘Best Supporting Actress’, ‘Best Director’, ‘Best Sound Design’ and ‘Best Movie’.

 

Below is the list of winners at the AMVCA 2024:

 

Best Digital Content

National Treasure – Adebola Adeyela (Lizzy Jay)
Medical Negligence – Isaac Ayomide Olayiwola (Layi Wasabi)
Copyright Infringement – Isaac Ayomide Olayiwola (Layi Wasabi) — WINNER
Hello Neighbour – Elozonam Ogbolu, Lina Idoko and Jemima Osunde
The Boyfriend – Maryam Apaokagi-Greene

 

Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)

Mami Wata (CJ Fiery Obasi)
Jagun Jagun (Femi Adebayo) — WINNER
Ijogbon (Kunle Afolayan)
Orisa (Odunlade Adekola)
Nana Akoto (Kwabena Gyansah)

 

Best Indigenous Language (East Africa)

Where The River Divides
Ormoilaa Ogol (The Strong One) — WINNER
Wandongwa
Nakupenda
Itifaki

Best Indigenous Language (South Africa)

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Service To Heart
Uncle Limbani
Motshameko O Kotsi — WINNER

 

Best Multichoice Talent Factory Movie
Grown
Her Dark Past — WINNER
Somewhere in Kole
Full-Time Husband
The 11th Commandment
Mfumukazi

 

Best Scripted M-Net Original

Slum King — WINNER
Half Open Window
Itura
The Passenger
Magic Room

 

Best Unscripted M-Net Original

What Will People Say
The Irabors’ Forever After
Nwuyee Bekee (Foreign Wives) — WINNER
Date My Family Zambia
Royal Qlique (Season 2)

 

Best Indigenous M-Net Original

The Passenger
Nana Akoto
Apo
Irora Iya — WINNER
Love Transfusion (Kiapo Cha Damu)

 

Best Short Film
T’egbon T’aburo
Broken Mask — WINNER
Eighteenth Year
Man and Masquerades
A Place Called Forward

 

Best Supporting Actor

Alexx Ekubo (Afamefuna)
Demola Adedoyin (Breath of Life) — WINNER
Itele d Icon (Jagun Jagun: The Warrior)
Gregory Ojefua (This is Life)
Timini Egbuson (A Tribe Called Judah)
Levi Chikere (Blood Vessel)
Ropo Ewenla (Over the Bridge)

 

Best Supporting Actress

Joke Silva (Over the Bridge)
Fathia Williams (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
Bimbo Akintola (The Black Book)
Genoveva Umeh (Breath of Life) — WINNER
Eliane Umuhire (Omen)
Tana Adelana (Ijogbon – Chaos)
Ejiro Onojaife (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi)

 

Best Lead Actor

Wale Ojo (Breath of Life) — WINNER ‎
Stan Nze (Afamefuna)
Marc Zinga (Omen)
Gideon Okeke (Egun)
David Ezekiel (Blood Vessel)
Richard Mofe Damijo (The Black Book)
Adedimeji Lateef (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
Gabriel Afolayan (This is Lagos)

 

Best Lead Actress

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Segilola Ogidan (Over the Bridge)
Lucie Debay (Omen)
Omowunmi Dada (Asiri Ade)
Ireti Doyle (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi)
Adaobi L. Dibor (Blood Vessel)
Evelyne Ily (Mami Wata)
Kehinde Bankole (Adire) — WINNER
Funke Akindele (A Tribe Called Judah)

 

Best Cinematography

MAMI WATA (Lílis Soares)
Blood Vessel (Gideon Chukwu)
Over The Bridge (KC Obiajulu) — WINNER
Breath of Life (Ola Cardoso)
Jagun Jagun – The Warrior (Adeoluwa Owu)
Ijogbon – Chaos (Adekunle Nodash Adejuyigbe)
Omen (Joachim Philippe)

 

Best Editing

Chuka Ejorh And Onyekachi Banjo (Over The Bridge)
Holmes Awa (Breath of Life)
Alex Kamau And Victor Obok (Volume)
Dayo Nathaniel (Ogeere – Earth)
Antonio Ribeiro (The Black Book) — WINNER
Nathan Delannoy (Mami Wata)

 

Best Sound Design
Ava Momoh (Over the Bridge)
Daniel Pellerin and Amin Bhatia (Kipkemboi)
Grey Jones Ossai (Breathe of Life) — WINNER
Grey Jones Ossai (Blood Vessel)
Samy Bardet (Mami Wata)

 

Best Art Direction

Blood Vessel (Victor Akpan)
Over The Bridge (Abisola Omolade) — WINNER
Breath of Life (Okechukwu Frost Nwankwo, Kelechi Odu)
The Black Book (Pat Nebo and Chima Temple)
Jagun Jagun: The Warrior (Tunji Afolayan)
Mami Wata (C.J Fiery Obasi)
Omen (Eve Martin)

 

Best Costume Design

Demola Adeyemi (Over The Bridge)
Bolanle Austin Peters, Ituen Basi, Folake Coker and Clement Effanga (Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti)
Lola Awe (Jagun Jagun: The Warrior) — WINNER
Bunmi Demilola Fashina (Mami Wata)
Daniel Obasi (Breath of Life)

 

Best Makeup

Francesca Otaigbe (Over the Bridge)
Campbell Precious (Mami Wata) — WINNER
Hadizat Gambo (Mojisola)
Hakeem Onilogbo (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
Feyisayo Oyebisi (A Tribe Called Judah)

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Best Writing TV Series

Skinny Girl in Transit (Season 7)
Wura (Season 2)
Visa on Arrival
MTV Shuga Naija
Volume — WINNER
Masquerades of Aniedo
Slum King

 

Best Writing in a Movie

Breath of Life (BB Sasore)
Over The Bridge (Tosin Otudeko)
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (Tunde Babalola) — WINNER
Jagun Jagun: The Warrior (Adebayo Tijani)
Afamefuna (Anyanwu Sandra Adaora)
A Tribe Called Judah (Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele, Collins Okoh and Akinlabi Ishola)
Mami Wata (CJ Fiery Obasi)

 

Best Documentary

Ormoilaa Ogol (The Strong One)
Lobola, A Bride’s True Price? — WINNER
Empalikino (Forgiveness)
The Water Manifesto: Osun (Water for Gold)
Sowing Hope

 

Best Scripted Series

Volume
Wura (Season 2) — WINNER
Slum King
Itura
Chronicles

 

Best Unscripted Series

Lol Naija (Season 1)
Nightlife In Lasgidi
The Real Housewives Of Lagos (Season 2)
Gh Queens (Season 2) — WINNER
Mutale Mwanza Unscripted (Season 1)

 

 

Best Director

Moses Inwang (Blood Vessel)
Adebayo Tijani And Tope Adebayo (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
Bb Sasore (Breath of Life) — WINNER
Johnscott Enah (Half Heaven)
C.J Fiery Obasi (MAMI WATA)
Kayode Kasum (Afamefuna)
Tolu Ajayi (Over The Bridge)

 

 

Best Movie

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Breath of Life — WINNER
Over The Bridge
Blood Vessel
A Tribe Called Judah
The Black Book
MAMI WATA

 

Trailblazer of the Year

Chimezie Imo
Industry Merit

Idowu Philips (Iya Rainbow)
Richard Mofe Damijo

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