Somkele Iyamah

Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama 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), the TV series Gidi Up (2013–present) and gained recognition at the Toronto International Film Festival[2] and Africa International Film Festival. She is also the latest ambassador for Multichoice's DSTV Explora, the widest satellite cable network across Africa. She's set to feature in the highly anticipated movie, A Soldier's Story 2: Return from the Dead - sequel to 2016 multiple award-winning romantic drama.

Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama
Somkele Iyamah in 2016
Born
Somkele Iyamah

March 23, 1988
Delta State, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Alma materMcMaster University
OccupationActress, Model
Years active2011 - present
Known for
Parent(s)Andy Nkwor Iyamah, Onyi Iyamah
Websitewww.somkele.com

Iyamah was born in Ika South Area of Delta State, to Andrew and Onyi Iyamah both 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. She volunteered in several shows for charity at McMaster and modeled during the holidays in Nigeria. Her web site states her work includes Virgin Nigeria, Harp, ETB and Visafone Communications.[4]

Career
The Gidi Up main cast including Ikechukwu Onunaku

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 EXPANSE’ 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 has 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 for best supporting actress, an AMVCA trailblazer award win, TFAA award, an AMAA nomination and an AFRIFF Jury Award. Her latest movie due out in Dec. 2020 has her with Hollywood veteran, Eric Roberts in A Soldier’s Story 2: Return From The Dead.

Her talent, personality 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 younger sister Dumebi Iyamah. She is married to Captain Aaron Idhalama, a thought leader and industry professional in the Nigerian aviation sector.[5]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result
2016 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) International Rising Star Herself Won[6]
Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) Special Jury Recognition Award 93 Days Won[7]
The Exquisite Lady Of The Year (ELOY) Awards Actress Of The Year Won
The Future Awards Africa Prize For Actor Won [8]
Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) Best Supporting Actress Nominated
2017 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Trailblazer Award Herself Won[9]

Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2020 A Soldier's Story: Return From The Dead Zaya With Eric Roberts, Linda Ejiofor, Daniel K. Daniel

Director: Frankie Ogar

Post Production

2018 Lara and the Beat Dara Giwa With Seyi Shay, Vector The Viper, Chioma Akpotha

Director: Tosin Coker

2017 The Wedding Party 2 Yemisi Disu With Adesua Etomi, Richard Mofe Damijo, Iretiola Doyle, Banky W

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

2016 The Arbitration Omawumi Horsefall With O.C. Ukeje, Iretiola Doyle, Adesua Etomi

Director: Niyi Akinmolayan

2015 The Department Ireti With Jide Kosoko, Osas Ighodaro Ajibade, O.C. ukeje,

DIrector: Remi Vaughn Richards

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2020 The Expanse Engineer Network: Amazon Prime
2018 Coroner Mrs. Kamau Network: CBC
2014 Gidi Up Season 2 Yvonne Network: NdaniTV
2015 Best Friends Uche Network: EbonyLife TV
2013 Gidi Up Season 1 Yvonne Network: NdaniTV
2013 Gidi Up (Pilot) Yvonne Network: NdaniTV

References
  1. "I pursued my acting career while maintaining a day job - Somkele Iyama-Idhalama". March 24, 2017.
  2. Husseini, Shaibu (10 September 2016). "Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama: New Nollywood rising star goes to Toronto". guardian.ng. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  3. "I'm a private person — Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
  4. "somkelei". somkelei. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  5. "Aaron Idhalama". Cognovi Ventures. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  6. "TIFF's Rising Stars". TIFF. 2017-01-06. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  7. Izuzu, Chidumga. "AFRIFF 2016: Rita Dominic, RMD, Somkele Idhalama, Chioma Ude attend Globe Awards". Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  8. "Winners of Future Awards Africa 2016 named - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria. 2016-12-19. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  9. 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.
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