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Tag: Uti Nwachukwu

  • RMD, three Nigerians to share stage with James Bond heroes

    RMD, three Nigerians to share stage with James Bond heroes

    As global attention continues to shift to African entertainment, Nigerian celebrities such as Richard Mofe Damijo, BasketMouth, Uti Nwachukwu and Kemi Adetiba have been picked by international beer brand, Heineken, to share spotlight with stars of the next installment of James Bond series, Spectre.

    Heineken, which enjoys a large share of the beer market in Nigeria, has also found new brand ambassadors in these entertainers. This, pundits say, is a plus for the artistes, who will be representing Africa at the premiere of the new series.

    The four celebs are expected to join international top shots to Las Vegas, the party capital of the USA, for what has been described as the first-ever selfie from space as part of Heineken’s new campaign, Spyfie.

    RMD and colleagues will be captured alongside big names, including popular Bond Villain, Dave Bautista, in the campaign, scheduled to take place on November 5, 2015, in Nevada, Los Angeles. 

    Promoters say Heineken will create the selfie experience from space using a camera on the Deimos satellite, currently in orbit 600km above the Earth’s surface to take ultra HD imagery of the lucky celebrities including the Nigerian quartet assembled at the Hoover Dam in Las Vegas.

    This is not the first time RMD will be enlisted for international project. The former Commissioner of Culture and Tourism in Delta State was a star attraction in the Guinness 2004 film, Critical Assignment, playing alongside South African Cleveland Mitchell, aka Michael Power, in the flick that featured another Nigerian actor, Bukky Ajayi.  

    “We are very proud of our long-standing association with the James Bond franchise and we are especially proud to partner with ‘Spectre’ on this adventure as we bring the experience to Nigeria with four of the country’s most loved entertainment personalities. Their fans will be able to share the experience with them through their social media pages and it promises to be a lot of fun,” said Senior Brand Manager, Heineken, Ngozi Nkwoji.

    The Heineken Spyfie is one of the activities in the brand’s integrated global “Spectre” campaign, which centers around ‘Spectre’. The campaign also features an exciting TV advertisement featuring Daniel Craig as James Bond in a high-speed boat chase.

    Beginning with 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies, Heineken has partnered James Bond since 1997, and Spectre is the seventh consecutive film in the partnership.

  • Mike Ezuruonye, Uti Nwachukwu, John Njama star in Breathless

    Mike Ezuruonye, Uti Nwachukwu, John Njama star in Breathless

    THE federal government largesse for the movie industry, under the Project ACT grant, is beginning to yield fruits. One of such is the just-concluded movie, Breathless, produced and directed by Charles Uwagbai.

    Shot on location in the Lekki axis of Lagos, the star-studded film tells the story of the forensic account of the murder of an asthmatic lady in the private beach house of her boss (Prof. Okpodu). The incident sets up a series of events which reveal well kept secrets by the Okpodu and his two estranged rival sons involving the murder of the victim.

    The film stars actors such as Mike Ezuronye as Ben (Biological Son), Bimbo Manuel (Prof Okpodu), Uti Nwachukwu as Priye (adopted son), Brysey Bassey (Jenny), Bobby Micheals (detective) and John Njamah as Kwame.

    Uwagbai, who described the movie as a crime story, shared a few hints about the intrigues of the film when he said, “The man is no longer married. The relationship between him and the son is strained, and the real son feels cheated that he has lost all  including his mother.”

    Uwagbai is particularly happy about the support from cast and crew, which he said brought their professionalism to bear. He noted that although there are, few new faces in the job that include Brycee Bassey, he was certain the actor holds great promises for the film industry.

    According to Uwagbai, who is known to have directed such films as Okoro the Prince, Black Sillhuoete, and Drive, his new, Breathless, is a big budget project, hence his choice of high-class equipment.

    Corroborating the director’s hype for the film, Ezuruonye said the style of production is worth emulating.

    “I have been working with bright young minds who I will call visionaries for what the Nigerian film industry should be. I am not saying that great things have not been happening in the sector. But when you look at the shots, sounds and other aspects of Breathless, you will see that things are going in line with how movie making is moving,” he said.

    He described the director as a good listener and team player, who is not boxed up in his own ego or euphoria of the business. “He is an embodiment of what movie directing should be. He is a leader, not a boss. He observes well. He is one who would make noise via his craft and lens,” he said.

    For Uti Nwachukwu, Uwagbai is an inspiration. “When I watched his previous projects, I said, ‘I must work with this person’. He is a risk taker. He is deep. There is something just special about him.”

    Screenplayed by Doris Ariole and edited by Jenkins Alumona, Breathless is being floated through Uwagbai’s Creative Unit Multimedia in association with Flykite Productions.

  • BBA: Tayo clashes with Uti Nwachukwu, others

    BBA: Tayo clashes with Uti Nwachukwu, others

    Adjudged as arrogant and temperamental, Nigerian housemate in the Big Brother Hotshots reality show, Tayo, showed his stuff once again, by picking up a quarrel with visiting housemates; Uti Nwachukwu and two other ex-housemates, who came in as a gimmick to unsettle the current contestants.

    Tayo and Uti went off at each other following a calm conversation that ended up offending the former. Vimbai, Elikem and Uti sat around the table talking and Tayo expressed his agitation over not being given preferential treatment when he went for some auditions.

    Vimbai immediately warned him against keeping up with the attitude that he had and Tayo retorted saying that it was not an attitude and went on to share his experience of the auditions that he had gone to this year. He rebuked Tinsel, a Nigerian soap opera which Uti had suggested to him. He called it “stupid” and said that he stood in a queue for a long time and had people stepping on him.

    Uti and Vimbai expressed absolute shock at the arrogance that exuded from the model who continued loudly, saying that this year alone, he has been to many auditions – some general and others came as requests and compared how he was treated in each. He said that he never had to queue in the ones he had been requested to and hated having to stand in long lines as if he was not a formidable model.

    Vimbai gaped at him and when she tried to get a word in, Tayo hushed her with his loud voice and aggressive body language. Tayo said that he thought Tinsel would be more professional, especially as it had links with M-Net. Uti chipped in and said that Tinsel recognised solidity and added that it was not about a person’s image but their attitude.

    Tayo got really upset at the word “attitude” as though Uti had suggested that he had a bad one. The discussion went out of control as Tayo felt that he was being disregarded as one with a bad attitude and more over felt that he was misunderstood. Viimbai and Uti were left shocked at what came off as arrogance from the Nigerian model.

  • I’m a child of GRACE, says Uti Nwachukwu

    I’m a child of GRACE, says Uti Nwachukwu

    As recipient of the Male Viewers’ Choice diadem at this year’s edition of  Golden Icon Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA), which held in  Houston, Texas, United States last month, notable TV presenter and actor, Uti Nwachukwu got emotional, while giving his acceptance speech. In a chat with GIAMA crew after the ceremony, in a video made available on YouTube, recalling his journey to fame and fortune. Excerpts:

    YOU gave a very emotional speech as you received the award, what does the award mean to you?

    Well, clearly it means a lot to me! It’s the viewers’ choice! It means that people are watching from all over the world and I am the preferred choice. It means I am in the right profession and people are entertained by my hard work…it’s all God’s doing because if He didn’t bless me with the talent and TV charisma, I’m very sure no one would be impressed or interested in what I have to offer.

    And yes, my speech was very emotional because I am someone who does not joke with loyalty and appreciation. I know personally how it feels to allow God use you to elevate someone and for that person to become ungrateful, insolent and unappreciative. That is not my style, and so for me, it’s really important to let those who have been your platform to success know how much you appreciate them – My divine helpers, supporters and friends. I have a very grateful heart. In this world, no one owes you anything.

    So, I can’t stress it enough how important it is to always express gratitude and appreciation in public every time you get the chance to have a listening audience.

    Were you surprised you got the award?

    More glad than surprised. Nothing surprises me much these days. I was glad that all the campaigning and encouraging words from my family, friends and online supporters finally paid off. I work really hard and I work with the best. I also have divine favour on my side. So, I’m really glad.

    Some people were surprised that you came tops considering the caliber of contenders that were nominated, what do you have to say to that?

    (Laughs)People are surprised? No way! But it’s the viewers’ choice. Haven’t people out there noticed that the grace upon my head is uncommon? When will they learn? From winning Big Brother Africa to this, I see we still have some ‘doubting Thomases’ (laughs). But then again, there were really top contenders from Ghana.

    For me, those were the tough ones that I had to compete with. Wow! These are really talented actors and I can’t say I’m better than them at all, but my online presence is really healthy and my team does not sleep when I’m concerned. Like I said earlier it’s uncommon grace.

    What is your general opinion of the GIAMA?

    I have been attending the GIAMAs from the maiden edition in 2012, and to see it grow to this level is absolutely inspiring. With every year, it just gets better and better. It has now become the award ceremony in Diaspora to beat. From perfect organization to integrity, credibility and entertainment value…it’s simply amazing. I will give it eight trophies out of 10!

  • Drama on Star the Winner Is as contestant offers Uti Nwachukwu flowers

    Drama on Star the Winner Is as contestant offers Uti Nwachukwu flowers

    IT was, indeed, a memorable moment when the host of the music game show, Star The Winner Is, Uti Nwachukwu,  received some roses from Dunnie Lawal, a 22-year-old contestant, on the last episode of the show.

    Dunnie, who won the heart of the 101-jury members with her lively rendition of Asa’s song, Be My Man, had Uti Nwachukwu totally enthralled with her gesture of love, as she handed him a red rose during her performance.

    However, the budding act, who emerged the winner of that round, sadly lost out to Job Idoko in the last round of the episode, walking away with N400,000.

    Twenty-five-year-old Job Idoko, who emerged winner of the episode, proved to the jury members and the audience how much he deserved to battle in the semifinal round with powerful performances of Beyonce’s Listen and Michael Bolton’s When a Man Loves a Woman.

    With her powerful voice and vocal depth, Idoko has, therefore, qualified for the semi-final round to join Philip, Brenda, Happiness, Naomi, Rhema, Jahtell, Roxy and Michael for another round of battles, which is already brewing anticipation for fans around the country.

    Vanilla Nwabuna, Sule Abdulmalik, Mazinngar Fatai, and Joshua Seeba were a great delight on the show. They gave the 101-jury members a tough time deciding winners of each round, leaving Idoko to emerge victorious.

    With nine contestants currently on to the semi-final rounds, three more spots are to be filled, including two wild card contestants, to make for 12 semi-finalists to battle in the next rounds of the competition.

  • Uti Nwachukwu – You can’t be successful doing only one thing

    Uti Nwachukwu – You can’t be successful doing only one thing

    Uti Nwachukwu is one of Nigeria’s most popular entertainers. He hugged stardom in 2007, with his successful appearance in ‘The Next Movie Star’ Reality TV show where he finished as first runner up and ‘Big Brother Africa’ (BBA) 3 in 2008. However, his return to the house for BBA All Stars 5 in 2010 and winning the competition was the turning point of his career. The Delta State-born entertainer tells ADETUTU AUDU he misses his late dad for every of his accomplishment. 

    HOW will you describe your experience on the wave-making Jara? It is wonderful, because there is nothing better when you are with someone that two of you just click. Before I finish my sentence, Helen has already known my next line; she can complete my sentence before I finish saying it, I can also do the same thing for her – every time on set is just like when you are in secondary school and during the break you want to go and play with your friends in the field. Helen is like a friend I would never have, if you understand, because we met at the audition hotel. When we recorded Jara, we record it in our own way, it is just like going to relieve yourself of your stress and at the end of the day you are being paid for it. The response was incredible. People were calling me on the BBA Uti, Uti JARA. It’s amazing how quickly people accepted the show and we are very grateful.

    It has been four years that your father died, do you still miss him?

    I miss my dad everyday because every experience that happens, I am kind of relating it with my father. Because when I was young, I didn’t really understand my father; when anything happened, I think my father used to stress small things and then I didn’t really know why he was so passionate about certain things, the reason why he couldn’t tolerate some certain things. But now I understand the reasons for his actions because everything that happens now that I can’t just put on with, I will just like say wow! This was what dad used to see and all that. So, every time I see his pictures, any time I am alone in my car, for every accomplishment, of course I miss him, but before he died, all he wanted from me was to be a graduate and I graduated with 3.9gpa from the Benson Idahosa University, Benin. I was the best graduating student that year; I can never forget the smile on his face at that moment and he started hailing me in our local language, but I wanted him to see the picture of this. Thank God, before he died, he already got the picture of what I could become in the entertainment industry because he watched the next movie star, he watched some of the series I did and at a point he was proud of me. Of course, I miss him every day, in everything that happens to me I miss him.

    You are one of the most successful TV reality stars, why did you decide to enter for these shows?

    Originally, money was never part of the reason why I joined. I just felt like going there to showcase my talent, even though I went to school and I studied science, I just needed to tell my people, ‘look here, I want to go into entertainment,’ because I grew up watching a lot of TV shows, movies, awards ceremonies and a lot and then I was only thinking about being like them because it is one of the platforms that you can use in showcasing your talents to Africans. It is by being on the most-watched reality show, for me it was just like marketing my talent just a way for people to see me and my talent. It is just me breaking into the entertainment industry; in that way, people will be able to feel what I could do.

    You are a model, TV presenter, actor and a singer, which one is more fulfilling?

    Financially, it is TV presenting than anything because that is the best-paid profession that I have. Monthly you will earn next to nothing, except you are an ambassador to the product, so my best gift so far was an ambassadorial gift but the original money doesn’t really pay that well in Nigeria and that has to be addressed very soon. For now, it is still a challenge because we are not as well paid as Nollywood actors. For now, financially, TV presenting and anything of event are well paying but when it comes to my person, when I did my singles, I was very happy to hear myself sing. I will be recording about two more songs this year. I think I love doing all. I am an all-round entertainer. I am not going to change it to anything, I can’t pick one; you can’t be successful in this world by continuing doing one thing. This is the field that God has called me into and I will continue doing it. Music was my first love, so, it is important to me and therefore I will not run on it. I take my time for me to get the best. I’m eclectic.

    Your single, ‘Once in my life’, is a very emotional song, what inspired it?

    When my dad was deceased, my best friend of nine years neglected me and my other very good friends betrayed me because of a job and people started saying all sort of things. In the past, I used to have dependent friends; they were my friends because of what they gained at the end of the day, and that was what motivated that song; I really poured out my emotions into it.

    After winning the BBA, you become every lady’s sweet heart; how many calls did you get per day?

    I have been getting a lot of attention right from when I was a kid. Even in school, I was a very cute kid and I had women all around me, so it’s nothing special. The attention doesn’t make me out of character. I got a lot of calls, sometimes they would just call to say they loved what I do and I do appreciate when they call me and they tell me how they love me on TV because they are my ogas and because of them I get paid. I appreciate every gesture and calls from them, but some people might want to get more than that; I am not in for such, I cannot go back to it again, it is part of what God has delivered me from. I just wanted to keep myself clean and with God on my side, God has been restraining me but both my female and male fans. I appreciate all of them.

    How much of your millions have you invested in charity?

    I am not going to disclose that. Are you the one that will reward me? That is not even what I am after. The only reason why I allow cameras into my charity event is because I want to inspire people because if don’t give money to charity, they would rather spend the money on partying, travelling, and all that; it is fine to do that, but it is better to remember first these people that really need you. It is between me and God and not because I want some people to give me some accolades.

    How does it feel to be Uti, especially now when it seems like a lot of great things are coming your way?

    I’m short of words; I’m actually in awe of my own self. It feels like I’m living a life that’s written in a book or some TV series. I thank God everyday for my blessings because I didn’t do anything to deserve any of these things I have gotten. It’s just the favour of God. Many are called but few are chosen. I don’t know why God has chosen me, which is why I always say, God should always use me to touch the lives of people so that I don’t waste this opportunity he has given me or these blessings. He has done it for me and he’s been awesome, he’s been great, he’s been kind. I’m just extremely thankful and grateful to the higher power that has made me who I am today, which is the God of Israel.

    Let’s say Big Brother Africa did not happen, what would you be doing?

    I don’t know, honestly. I guess I would still be where I am today but I would have had to work a lot harder to prove myself. BBA was a divine intervention and I am forever grateful for that. I am a spiritual person and I always trust in the Lord to make it happen for me.

    People have argued that reality shows are a lazy way of becoming a celebrity. What is your take?

    Lazy? Let them go and be locked up for 90 days with a camera tracing your every move. There is so much to prove. If they focus a camera on you for just two days, people will probably hate you forever. It is hard work, your whole life on television for 90 days? Non-stop.

  • Uti’s top 10

    Uti’s top 10

    Television host, musician, model and winner of Big Brother Africa season 5, Uti Nwachukwu, tells Adetutu Audu his favourite thingsFavourite fashion designer

    For my suits, it is

    Mai Atafo and Tayo Jacobs. For my native it is Yomi casuals.

     

    Favourite shoe designer

    I love good shoes. But as at present, I love a Nigerian designer’s label, PUSH by

    Bosah Chibuzor

     

    Favourite designer wristwatch

    It must be good with big face and nice strap. I love Nikon.

     

    Favourity Holiday spot

    Cape Town and Vegas

     

    Favourite Perfume

    Power by Kenzo

     

    Favourite car

    Toyota SUV

     

    Favourite sunglass

    Once it fits my face, I am good with it.

     

    Favourite food

    I am a Delta man. I love starch and banga soup with stockfish.

     

    Favourite underwear

    I am a boxer and brief person. It must be comfortable. I am not particular about the designer.

     

    Favourite book

    The secret by Rhonda Byrne.

  • Uti Nwachukwu flaunts lover

    Uti Nwachukwu flaunts lover

    PERHAPS, Uti Nwachukwu, a model, actor and presenter, may have now silenced his detractors who have labelled him as gay in view of his association with Eku Edewor.

    Since he confirmed his relationship with R&B singer, Seun Oni, otherwise known as Saeon, many of his fans are happy that he is truly a role model.

    He was quoted as saying recently that “It is true that Saeon and I are seeing each other and we are taking it one step at a time. I don’t know how it came to the knowledge of the public. Saeon likes her privacy, just like me too.” Though Saeon has not denied or confirmed the story, she said, “It is out there already. I don’t want to confirm or deny anything. I am only focused on my music. I’m releasing a song, which features Wizkid and that’s my only concern for now.”

    However, a source said they are not dating. According to him, “Uti is not dating Saeon. He is just trying to show off, so people will stop tagging him as gay. It is a perfect match with Saeon, because she, on the other hand, is trying to promote her music. Any publicity now, whether good or bad, will help her.”

  • Uti, others for ‘Abuja’s Top Celebrities Orphanage Visitation 2014’

    Uti, others for ‘Abuja’s Top Celebrities Orphanage Visitation 2014’

    COME February 22, a number of celebrities will be going on visitation to some orphanages.

    Tagged Abuja Top Celebrities Orphanage Visitation 2014, it is designed to give hopes to the less privileged and make them feel loved and cared for.

    This year, the event, which is an annual gathering of celebrities from across Nigeria, will involve FRSC officials and media partners.

    Ell Adamz, former Mr. FCT Abuja, and of the coordinators said, “It is also one of the criteria for nomination in Nigeria Goodwill Ambassador Awards 2014.

    “The visitation will be led by Her Excellency, the former First Lady of Kogi State, Amb.( Dr.) Aisha Audu-Emeje. Celebrities such as Uti Nwachukwu, Black Face, Sani Danga, Benson Okonkwo Scouters Modeling Agency, Linda Byron and other notable Nigerians have endorsed and confirmed participation.”

    According to the organizers, there will be no cash donations, as different kinds of gifts will be accepted for the kids.