Somkele Iyamah

Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama is a Nigerian TV and film actress and model. She is well known for her roles in 93 Days (2016), The Wedding Party (2016), The Arbitration (2016), the TV series Gidi Up (2013–present) and gained recognition at the Toronto International Film Festival and African International Film Festival. She is also the latest ambassador for Multichoice's DSTV Explora, the widest satellite cable network across Africa.

Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama
Somkele Iyamah in 2016
Born
Somkele Iyamah

March 23, 1988
Delta State, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Alma materMcMaster University
OccupationActress, Model
Years active2011 - present
Parent(s)Andy Nkwor Iyamah, Onyi Iyamah
Websitewww.somkele.com

Early life

Iyamah was born in Ika South Area of Delta State, to Andrew and Onyi Iyamah both of Ika(Agbor) origin. She is the third of four children. She attended the Chrisland Schools and she was introduced to drama by an inspirational teacher while attending Grange School in Lagos.[1]

Somkele holds a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from McMaster University. She volunteered in several shows for charity at McMaster and modelled during the holidays in Nigeria. Her site says this included work for Virgin Nigeria, Harp, ETB and Visafone Communications.[2]

Career
The Gidi Up main cast including Ikechukwu Onunaku

Iyamah's first feature film was Dreamwalker, where she had a small part.[1] From 2013, she starred as Yvonne, a fashion designer, in the TV series, Gidi Up where she worked with O.C. Ukeje.

In 2016 three films she starred in 93 Days (2016), The Wedding Party (2016) and,The Arbitration (2016) premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival which she attended as the first "female international Rising Star".[3]

In 2017, Iyamah appeared in the comedy-crime/heist thriller Ojukokoro (Greed) with Wale Ojo, Ali Nuhu, Tope Tedela and Seun Ajayi.[4]

Personal life

Somkele manages the fashion brand, Andrea Iyamah, founded by younger sister Dumebi Iyamah. She is married to Aaron Idhalama, a Captain in one of the Nigerian Airlines. [5]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result
2016 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) International Rising Star Herself Won[6]
Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) Special Jury Recognition Award 93 Days Won[7]
The Exquisite Lady Of The Year (ELOY) Awards Actress Of The Year Won
The Future Awards Africa Prize For Actor Won [8]
Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) Best Supporting Actress Nominated
2017 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Trailblazer Award Herself Won[9]

Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2018 A Soldier's Story: Return From The Dead Zaya With Eric Roberts, Linda Ejiofor, Daniel K. Daniel

Director: Frankie Ogar

Post Production

2018 Lara and the Beat Dara Giwa With Seyi Shay, Vector The Viper, Chioma Akpotha

Director: Tosin Coker

2017 The Wedding Party 2 Yemisi Disu With Adesua Etomi, Richard Mofe Damijo, Iretiola Doyle, Banky W

Director: Niyi Akinmolayan

2016 The Wedding Party 2016 Yemisi Disu With Adesua Etomi, Richard Mofe Damijo, Iretiola Doyle, Banky W

Director: Kemi Adetiba

2016 93 Days Dr. Ada Igonoh With Danny Glover, Gideon Okeke, Bimbo Akintola,

Director: Steve Gukas

2016 The Arbitration Omawumi Horsefall With O.C. Ukeje, Iretiola Doyle, Adesua Etomi

Director: Niyi Akinmolayan

2015 The Department Ireti With Jide Kosoko, Osas Ighodaro Ajibade, O.C. ukeje,

DIrector: Remi Vaughn Richards

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Gidi Up Season 2 Yvonne Network: NdaniTV
2015 Best Friends Uche Network: EbonyLife TV
2013 Gidi Up Season 1 Yvonne Network: NdaniTV
2013 Gidi Up (Pilot) Yvonne Network: NdaniTV
gollark: I'll consider it.
gollark: It doesn't exist here, yes.
gollark: Oh, git*lab*.
gollark: I haven't actually SEEN the source, see.
gollark: Oh no.

References
  1. "I'm a private person — Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
  2. "somkelei". somkelei. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  3. Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama: New Nollywood rising star goes to Toronto, Shaibu Husseini, 10 September 2016, The GuardienNG, Retrieved 7 October 2016
  5. Iyamah, Andrea. "About A.I". Andrea Iyamah. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  6. "TIFF's Rising Stars". TIFF. 2017-01-06. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  7. Izuzu, Chidumga. "AFRIFF 2016: Rita Dominic, RMD, Somkele Idhalama, Chioma Ude attend Globe Awards". Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  8. "Winners of Future Awards Africa 2016 named - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria. 2016-12-19. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  9. Partners, Alexander Moore (2017-03-02). "AMVCA 2017: Check Out Nigerian Entertainers Who Made The Nomination List". Nigeria News Online & Breaking News | BuzzNigeria.com. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
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