Ojinika Anne Okpe (born 23 April 1981), also known as Ojy Okpe, is a Nigerian model, film producer and TV anchor on Arise News, who hosts What's Trending with Ojy Okpe and co-anchors the Good Morning Show.[1]
Ojy Okpe | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ojinika Anne Egwuenu 23 April 1981 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Other names | Ojy Egwuenu |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2006 - present |
| Television | |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Agency | Storm Management |
| Website | ojyokpe |
Background and education
editOkpe is from Ukwani, in Delta State. She was born to Philomena Ngozi Egwuenu and Matthew Egwuenu, a former Nigerian commissioner of police. She had her primary education at Queensland Academy and her secondary school certificate education in Rainbow College, both in Lagos State. In 2006, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Communication and a minor in Film Production from St John’s University, New York. She also studied Film Production at the New York Film Academy.[2]
Career
editIn an interview with Business Day, Okpe iterates how her career path has always been about the camera, transitioning from modeling to film to journalism.[3]
She was discovered by a South African talent scout called Jan Malan. She gained her breakthrough recognition by participating in the Mnet Face of Africa like Oluchi Onweagba. She made it to the finals of the competition which was held in Ghana. After that, she worked in South Africa and subsequently in New York as a model, under Storm Management.[2] She has been on the pages of fashion and lifestyle magazines Elle, Cosmopolitan, Essence, Drum, Genevieve Magazine, and Vogue.[citation needed] She has also worked with fashion designers and houses including Oscar de la Renta, Zang Toi, Moschino, Ralph Lauren, Gottex, Dumebi Iyamah, Jean Paul Gaultier, Deola Sagoe, Versace, Mai Atafo, Baby Phat, Lanre da Silva and Dolce & Gabbana.[4][5] She covered the premier issue of the Mania magazine in 2012.[6][7] She has graced the runways of various African fashion weeks including the South Africa fashion week, the Lagos Fashion Week, Port Harcourt International Fashion Week and Arise TV fashion week.[8][9] She attended the Martini themed afterparty of the Lagos Fashion Week in 2019,[10] and the 2018 AMVCA, where she was tagged as the best dressed by The Netng.[11] Outside of Africa, she has worked as a runway model in Paris, New York and London. She also worked with L'Oreal's Mizani as the face of the brand in Africa.[12]
As a TV anchor, she hosts the Arise News Good Morning Show, alongside Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni and Ayo Mairo-Ese on the weekdays, and with Steve Ayorinde on Sundays.[2] She also hosts her segment called What's Trending with Ojy Okpe.[13][14][15][16][17] She has also interviewed public figures including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Oluchi Onweagba, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Susan Sarandon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Iman and Idina Menzel.[18] [19] In 2020, she was nominated for the TV personality of the year award at the Exquisite Ladies Of the Year (ELOY) awards, for her work on Arise News.[20]
She is an Emmy Awards winner as part of the production crew of the documentary Changers: How the Harlem Globetrotters Battled Racism. She was also part of Hollywood productions The Devil Wears Prada and Marvel movie Spider-Man 3.[19]
Personal life
editShe was married to Austin Okpe; they got divorced in 2014.[21][22] They have two children together; a boy and a girl.[23] She is best mates with Genevieve Nnaji and Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi, with the trio going on several vacations together.[24][25]
References
edit- ^ "Ojy Okpe: Model, TV Girl, Filmmaker". The Nation (Nigeria). 29 June 2020.
- ^ a b c Thomas-Odia, Ijeoma (29 January 2022). "Ojy Okpe: 'In building your career as a woman, understand the power you possess'". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ Balde, Lehlé (5 September 2020). "'A woman alone has power but collectively women have an impact'". Business Day. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ "TV Girl Ojy Okpe Continues to Dazzle on the Runway". This Day. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ "Top Model Ojy Okpe Show Off Bikini Body". Pulse Nigeria. 10 September 2015.
- ^ "Supermodel Ojy Okpe set for take-off on Mania's June special travel issue". YNaija. 7 June 2012.
- ^ "Top Model, Ojy Okpe Covers Style Mania's June Issue". Pulse Nigeria. 28 October 2013.
- ^ Ebuka, Christopher (10 April 2018). "Trends From Arise Fashion Week 2018". The Guardian.
- ^ Akabogu, Njideka (4 April 2018). "9 Times Nigerian Supermodel & Mum Of 2, Ojy Okpe Owned The Runway At ARISE Fashion Week 2018". The Netng.
- ^ "Denola Grey, Boj, Ycee, Ojy Okpe spotted at the Maki Oh x Fashion X & MARTINI Party". Bella Naija. 2 November 2019.
- ^ Ezeani, Stephanie (2 September 2018). "Top 10 Beauty Looks At The #AMVCA2018". The Netng. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ "Ojy Okpe". Fashion Model Directory.
- ^ "Sowore Mocks Tinubu+ APC Manifesto 90% Ready – Trending With Ojy Okpe". Arise News. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ "Peter Obi, Tinubu Endorsed By Afenifere- Trending With Ojy Okpe". Arise News. 1 November 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ "Tinubu's Supporters Call Funke Akindele An 'Ant' – Trending With Ojy Okpe". Arise News. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ "Buhari's Impeachment Threat Dismissed By Presidency – Trending With Ojy Okpe". Arise News. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ "Nigerian Army Refutes Prelate's Kidnapping Allegations -Trending With Ojy Okpe". Arise News. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ "Ojy Okpe". Official Website.
- ^ a b "The Expanding Universe of Ojy Okpe". Vanguard. 24 August 2019.
- ^ "Erica Nlewedim, Ojy Okpe, Ife Durosinmi Etti, Others Nominated for 2020 ELOY Awards". The Lagos Review.
- ^ "Supermodel Ojy Okpe's ex-hubby, Austin remarries Russian beauty". The Sun (Nigeria). 24 August 2019.
- ^ Sesan (29 April 2017). "Austin Okpe, wife step out". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ "Inside Genevieve Magazine's 2011 Wedding Issue! Ojy Okpe on the cover with Betty Irabor, Joke Silva, Linda Ikeji & More as Blushing Brides". 5 December 2011.
- ^ "Genevieve Nnaji and supermodels, Oluchi and Ojy Okpe on a fun girls birthday getaway (Photos)". 2 May 2016.
- ^ "Photos: Genevieve Nnaji, Oluchi Orlandi, Ojy Okpe Having Fun in New York City". 5 December 2014.
External links
edit