Osas Ighodaro is a humanitarian and Nigerian-American actress, producer, and host. She won the Miss Black USA title in 2010 and established the Joyful Joy Foundation to raise funds and awareness for malaria research. She also co-hosted the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Osas Ighodaro Biography
| Real Full Name | Osariemen Martha Elizabeth Ighodaro |
| Stage Name | Osas Ighodaro |
| Nationality | Nigerian, American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Husband, Spouse | Gbenro Ajibade (Divorce) |
| Daughter | Azariah T.O. Ajibade |
| Occupation | Actress, Host, Producer, Entrepreneur |
Early Life
Osas Ighodaro (born October 26, 1990, 35 years old) is from Edo State, South-South Nigeria, but was raised in the Bronx, New York, United States.
Osas Ighodaro’s father is Mr. Ighodaro, an Edo man who resided with his wife and family in the United States of America. Osas is yet to reveal her father’s qualifications and what he does for a living, but from the actress’s lifestyle, you can tell that her father is a middle-class man.
Education
She is a Nigerian-American graduate of Pennsylvania State University, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism and dual minors in Entrepreneurship and Theatre.Â
She continued to earn a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Acting from the Actor’s Studio Drama School at Pace University. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
Career
Osas is best known for her work in ‘Rattlesnake,’ ‘Smart Money Woman,’ ‘Fela and the Kalakuta Queens,’ ‘Cadillac Records’ & ‘Tyler Perry’s ‘Meet the Browns’ amongst her many projects. She founded the production company, ‘Joy of Art Media & Entertainment, whose aim is to produce projects that entertain and create a positive impact.
Osas was named the ‘Highest Grossing Box Office Actress’ in Nollywood in 2018 and amongst the top 3 highest-grossing actresses in 2020, respectively.
In 2010, Osas was crowned Miss Black USA, becoming the first Nigerian American to hold the title. She also won the award for Best TV Actress at the 2014 Exquisite Lady of the Year Awards and was named 2021 ‘Woman of the Year in Entertainment’ at the HER Network Awards.
Recently, Osas was awarded the ‘Best Actress in Drama’ and ‘Best Dressed’ awards at the 2022 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Osas is an advocate against the spread of preventable diseases and, in turn, is the founder of the NGO, Joyful Joy Foundation, which strives to eradicate Malaria throughout Africa – one community at a time.
Filmography
Movies
- Killa Season as Shinae (2006)
- Hookers in Revolt as Delilah(2006)
- Across a Bloodied Ocean as Nafisa (2008)
- Cadillac Records as Maid (2008)
- Jewslim, as Rochelle Whitman (2008)
- The Tested as Sheena (2009)
- Park Sharks as Neglected Girlfriend (2009)
- Restless City as Adinike (2011)
- The Department as Tolu (2015)
- Where Children Play as Nia (2015)
- Gbomo Gbomo Express as Cassandra (2015)
- Put a Ring on It as Eki (2016)
- A walk in the wind as Mary (2016)
- Entreat as Margaret (2016)
- New Money as Angela Nwachukwu (2016)
- Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons as Chidinma (2018)
- Bling Lagosians as Demidun (2019)
- Your Excellency as Candy (2019)
- Ratnik as Sarah Bello (2020)
- Mama Drama as Mena (2020)
- Bad Comments as Hilda (2020)
TV Shows
- Conviction
- Meet the Browns
- law and Order
- Tinsel
- Parallels
- Maltina Dance All
- Eve
- Shuga
- Smart Money Woman
- Assistant Madams
- King of Boys: The Return of the King
AMVCA 2022
Osas Ighodaro received recognition as the Best Dressed Female in the 2022 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, winning the likes of Nancy Isime, Bimbo Ademoye, Adunni Ade, Belinda Effah, and others who were enlisted as participants in the category. She also won the Best Actress Award. Osas dedicates both awards to her late mother, who died due to a little ailment.
Awards
- 2022: Best Actress in Drama – Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
- 2022: Best Dressed – Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
- 2021: Woman of the Year in Entertainment – HER Network
- 2018: Highest-grossing Nollywood Actress
- 2016: Best Supporting Actress – Nigerian Entertainment Awards
- 2015: Brand Ambassador of the Year – ELOY Awards
- 2015: “Humanitarian Award” – Joyful Joy Foundation (Green October La Mode Magazine Awards 2015)
- 2014: TV Actress of the Year – ELOY Awards
- 2010: Miss Black USA
Personal Life
Osas Ighodaro is a single mother, unmarried and has no husband.
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Net Worth
Osas Ighodaro is one of the richest and most influential actresses in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of $2 million.
