Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama (born 23 March 1988) is a Nigerian TV and film actress[1] and model. She is well known for her roles in 93 Days (2016), The Wedding Party, The Arbitration (2016) and the TV series Gidi Up (2013–2014) and at the Toronto International Film Festival[2] and Africa International Film Festival. She is an ambassador for Multichoice's DSTV Explora, the widest satellite cable network across Africa. She has in the movie, A Soldier's Story 2: Return from the Dead - sequel to a 2016 multiple award-winning romantdramasama. She is cast in the role of the Progenitor in the final episodes of Star Trek Discovery (2024).
Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama | |
|---|---|
.png) Somkele Iyamah in 2016 | |
| Born | Somkele Iyamah 23 March 1988 |
| Nationality | |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 2011 - present |
| Known for | |
| Parent(s) | Andy Nkwor Iyamah, Onyi Iyamah |
| Website | www |
Iyamah was born in Ika South Area of Delta State to Andrew and Onyi Iyamah, both are of Ika (Agbor) origin. She is the third of four children. She was introduced to dance and drama by an inspirational teacher, Mrs. Abe while attending Grange School in Lagos.[3]
Somkele holds a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from McMaster University. Somkele volunteered in several shows for charity at McMaster and modeled during the holidays in Nigeria. Her website states her work includes Virgin Nigeria, Harp, ETB and Visafone Communications.[4]
Career
edit
Her first audition landed her a lead role. Her works for TV are in the AMVCA nominated and critically acclaimed series, ‘GIDI UP’ by NdaniTV, Amazon's ‘THE EXPAN,SE’ and CBC's ‘CORONER’. Her career in film has led her to share the screen with Nollywood's directors such as Steve Gukas and Kemi Adetiba. She also shared screen-time with Hollywood veteran, Danny Glover in the biopic, 93 DAYS where she plays one of the surviving doctors who caught Ebola in Nigeria directed by Steve Gukas which went on to win several awards and accolades. That role won her an ELOY award (best actress of the year), AMVCA nomination best-supportingting actress, an AMVCA trailblazer award win, TFAA award, an AMAA nominat,ion and an AFRIFF Jury Award. She starred alongside Hollywood veteran, Eric Roberts in the movie: A Soldier's Story 2: Return From The Dead which was released in Dec 2020.[citation needed]
Her corporate endorsements include Multichoice Nigeria (DSTV Ambassador), Jewel By Lisa, and The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. She has been on the cover of GENEVIEVE Magazine and interviewed by her Alma Mater, McMaster University for their Canada @ 150 special Edition as well as CNN online. She serves as the Regional Head of the fashion brand, Andrea Iyamah.[citation needed]
Personal life
editSomkele manages the fashion brand, Andrea Iyamah, founded by her younger sister, Dumebi Iyamah. She is married to Captain Aaron Idhalama, a thought leader and industry professional in the Nigerian aviation sector.[5] She has a son that had cancer and later became cancer free.[6]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) | International Rising Star | Herself | Won[7] |
| Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) | Special Jury Recognition Award | 93 Days | Won[8] | |
| The Exquisite Lady Of The Year (ELOY) Awards | Actress Of The Year | Won | ||
| The Future Awards Africa | Prize For Actor | Won [9] | ||
| Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | ||
| 2017 | 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | |
| Trailblazer Award | Herself | Won[10] |
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Dreamwalker | Isabella | Fantasy / Romance |
| 2015 | The Department | Ireti | With Jide Kosoko, Osas Ighodaro Ajibade, O.C. ukeje,
Director: Remi Vaughn Richards |
| 2016 | The Arbitration | Omawumi Horsefall | With O.C. Ukeje, Iretiola Doyle, Adesua Etomi
Director: Niyi Akinmolayan |
| 2016 | The Wedding Party | 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 |
| 2017 | The Wedding Party 2 | Yemisi Disu | With Adesua Etomi, Richard Mofe Damijo, Iretiola Doyle, Banky W
Director: Niyi Akinmolayan |
| 2018 | Lara and the Beat | Dara Giwa | With Seyi Shay, Vector The Viper, Chioma Akpotha
Director: Tosin Coker |
| 2020 | A Soldier's Story: Return from the Dead | Zaya | With Eric Roberts, Linda Ejiofor, Daniel K. Daniel
Director: Frankie Ogar |
| 2023 | Orah | Lace | Crime / Drama / Thriller |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | The Expanse | Engineer | Network: Amazon Prime |
| 2018 | Coroner | Mrs. Kamau | Network: CBC |
| 2014 | Gidi Up Season 2 | Yvonne | Network: Ndani TV |
| 2015 | Best Friends | Uche | Network: EbonyLife TV |
| 2013 | Gidi Up Season 1 | Yvonne | Network: Ndani TV |
| 2013 | Gidi Up (Pilot) | Yvonne | Network: Ndani TV |
| 2024 | Star Trek: Discovery | Progenitor | Star Trek: Discovery; season 5 episode 10: Life, Itself |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "I pursued my acting career while maintaining a day job - Somkele Iyama-Idhalama". March 24, 2017.
- ^ Husseini, Shaibu (10 September 2016). "Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama: New Nollywood rising star goes to Toronto". guardian.ng. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
- ^ "I'm a private person — Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
- ^ "somkelei". somkelei. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
- ^ "Aaron Idhalama". Cognovi Ventures. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
- ^ "My son is cancer-free, actress Somkele Idhalama rejoices". Punch Newspapers. 2020-11-26. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ "TIFF's Rising Stars". TIFF. 2017-01-06. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
- ^ Izuzu, Chidumga. "AFRIFF 2016: Rita Dominic, RMD, Somkele Idhalama, Chioma Ude attend Globe Awards". Retrieved 2017-03-04.
- ^ "Winners of Future Awards Africa 2016 named - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria. 2016-12-19. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
- ^ 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.