Somkele Iyamah
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Somkele Iyamah Biography
Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama (born 23 March 1988) is a Nigerian TV and film actress 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–present) and gained recognition at the Toronto International Film Festival and Africa International Film Festival. She is also the latest ambassador for Multichoice's DSTV Explora, the widest satellite cable network across Africa. She has featured in highly anticipated movie, A Soldier's Story 2: Return from the Dead - sequel to a 2016 multiple award-winning romantdramasama.
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.
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.
Career
Her first ever audition landed her the lead role giving her the confidence to never look back. Her most notable 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 finest 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 around the globe. 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.
Her talent, personality a and keen eye for worthy collaborations has booked her several corporate endorsements such as Multichoice Nigeria (DSTV Ambassador), Jewel By Lisa, and The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. She has graced the cover of GENEVIEVE Magazine and interviewed by her Alma Mater, McMaster University for their Canada @ 150 special Edition as well as CNN online. When Somkele is not in the news for her movies or healthy lifestyle, she has been recognized for her sense of style. She serves as the Regional Head of the fashion brand, Andrea Iyamah.
Personal life
Somkele 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. She has a son that had cancer and later became cancer free.
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