Tonto Charity Dikeh has become a force to reckon with in the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood. The actress and singer from Rivers State is of the Ikwerre tribe. Born June 9, 1985, Dikeh competed against other contestants on a reality TV show called The Next Movie Star where she was the first runner-up. ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM writes about the many controversies of the sultry actress and why she should take it easy for a blossomed career.
Nollywood, is second only to the Indian film industry in number of movies produced each year and it has produced world class stars like Omotola Jalade Ekehinde, Genevieve Nnaji, Olu Jacobs, Pete Edochie, the late Sam Loco Efe, Nkem Owoh and many others.
Her Rise:
Dikeh says that after her second movie ‘Holy Cross’, more movie directors and producers were willing to cast her, and she has appeared in scores of movies ever since.
The actress has received criticism on many a movie she starred in making her a hot cake for producers who want her to be part of their movies due to her logic in script interpretation.
The enchanting young actress still have
a lot in store for her and she could achieve whatever she want to achieve in the industry.
Nollywood is just a step in the right direction to become a world renowned. She has the charisma, physics, face and other attributes anyone could think of to become a star. But the crazy incidents of late is not telling good of her image. It could be a strategy to be hyped by the media, but controversies easily kills a celebrity image.
Music:
After enjoying acting several movies, she decided to try her hand in music though she once featured in Patience Ozokwo’s album when she was becoming known in the industry, her slight tilt to music suggests it could be a disaster like her counterparts Genevieve Nnaji who later found out it wasn’t her calling. But it wasn’t so as she already carved a niche for herself with songs like ‘Hi’ ‘Jeje’ and many others receiving applause from fans.
In addition, she was rumoured to be dating Solidstar, one of 2face protege and with collaboration on the 5th single titled ‘Sheba’ featuring SolidStar, she looks determined to take her musical career seriously as she teams up with ace producer Popiti to create Sheba that best expresses her poppy music direction.
Controversies:
Tonto Dikeh as she is fondly called took a role in the movie ‘Dirty Secret’ which has continued to generate controversy amongst Nigerians, because of the nude and erotic scenes. While some criticise her role of being untraditional and un-African, others say that she’s merely being professional.
Her Weed Post:
Though of late, people have continued to talk about her flaws, and her own kind of leisure, it was all over the social media that the sultry actress and musician might be in a lot of trouble after officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency was reported to have said she could face up to 15 years in jail for taking pictures of banned substances and encouraging their consumption.
This is also to inform everyone to watch what they put up on social media, especially when you are a celebrity.
Dikeh had reportedly post photographs of a wrap of hemp and grains of the weed formed into the letters, ‘Happy birthday POKO.’
She also posted a photograph of herself and added the inscription, ‘Mi smoke ganja mi smoke weed while my hatez smoke ma gossip.’
Her picture is a close-up of her face that seemed to depict her in a high state.
According to the report, NDLEA spokesman, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the matter would be investigated stressing that the matter had been referred to the appropriate department of the agency, “Our attention has been drawn to the post quite frankly and I can tell you that action will be taken on it.
“The law is clear and NDLEA has been very clear on the issue. No one is permitted to sell, use, cultivate or encourage the use of Indian hemp in Nigeria. The weed is one of the banned narcotics in the country.
“NDLEA Act Section 14 (b) states that any person who conspires with, aids, abets, counsels, attempts to commit or is an accessory to any act or offence referred to in this act shall be guilty of an offence under this act and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not less than 15 years and not exceeding 25 years.
“Investigation has not started as of now but definitely, a step has to be taken on the matter. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse; so, it is obvious that the actress stands the risk of 15 years jail term. The appropriate department is meeting on the issue for necessary action.”
Her fall:
After an embarrassing fall, coupled with an odd performance at Iyanya’s Kukere concert in London, Tonto Dikeh comes on to explain how it happened. She also tries to clear the air about the fact that she may have been ‘drunk’ or ‘ high’ or both before hitting the stage.
In an interview with Nollywood Movies, Tonto explains that her dress was the chief culprit followed by her shoes and then the ‘slippery’ floor.
“It was a big…well not a big fall and I managed it well. I fell because I had this very long dress, and this very high shoe and a slippery ground, and because I wasn’t supposed to dance at my first ‘coming out’. I had another outfit I could put on to really perform if I wanted to; it was my choice but I just came on and they played the song and I just had to dance and I slipped.
I made it fun really, I got up and danced, I didn’t want to disappoint anybody especially myself. When I went back stage, I was dancing my head off.
I couldn’t go back on stage because Iyanya was on stage,’ she explained.
Charity:
In January 2011 Tonto Dikeh took part in a charity fashion show in Lagos with Banky W, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and others. This was a way of showing how passionate she was about charitable work.
She is currently working on several movies. The believe is she should keep the fire burning and not allow her personal life and controversies destroy her hard earned reputation.
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