Cleopatra Magazine Edition 9 MIRINDA STEIN NAMIBIA FILMMAKER. PRODUCER & DIRECTOR

Terri Donnelly

INTERVIEW WITH MARINDA STEIN My name is Terri Donnelly, I am the special correspondent for Cleopatra Magazine, London.

industry and a pride of Namibian Film Industry.

After a brief lull of practical success within the TV broadcasting with Namibia Broadcasting Cooperation and ONE Africa Television, she plunged in the world of independent production.

Marinda Stein Marinda Stein is an Namibian Filmmaker, Producer and Director. She is widely travelled and respected in Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe for her works.

She is the recipient of various accolades within the Cinema

Marinda is a “treasure of Cinema” and her films have consistently garnered critical acclaim.

C. M

Who is Marinda Stein?

M. S. I am a mother, daughter, sister, friend, proud Namibian filmmaker,creative entrepreneur, an advocate for change, an emphatic human being and eternal learner. I am a

writer/director and own two companies, Red Hot Film Productions and Capture Communications, in Namibia.

reading novels or anything I could lay my hands on.

Both my parents, as well as my extended maternal family were (and still are) avid readers too. I was I grew up in the southern town of fascinated with people, always Keetmanshoop in Namibia, the wondering about their stories. eldest of five children of my Although an introvert, for a young teacher parents. My initial career child I had an extremely vivid choice was Law. Being part of the imagination. As I grew up, I bridge generation of pre-and imagined that apart from being a post-apartheid made me feel that, lawyer, I wanted to have a column that was the way I could be a voice in a local magazine to write about to my people (commonly known life, love and people. After school as the Coloured Community). But I was accepted for Law at for as long as I can remember, I university level, but didn't have was passionate about stories. I the funds and instead applied to Namibian Broadcasting was probably 5 when I started the

Corporation (NBC) as participant programming in various genres in its traineeship programme. I and sizeable live productions, eventually became a bursary something that’s unheard of recipient of the NBC and went on unless you have a proven track to study Video Technology at the record. But it was at ONE Africa now Durban University of Science Television under the mentorship and Technology in South Africa. of the late world-renowned photographer and Paul van C. M You studied at the Durban cinematographer, University of Technology in South Schalkwyk, that my individual Africa and when you returned to voice as storyteller was further Namibia your first job was at the nurtured. Inevitably, it gave me Namibia Broadcasting the confidence to take the leap of Corporation.

Was your faith and join the independent experience in broadcasting vital film industry in 2008. It wasn't to your subsequent filmmaking without a fair amount of fear, but I had an unwavering faith in my career? own talent. Almost immediately M. S. My time at the NBC, after I left the station I was before and after my studies, along selected as co-writer for the with my subsequent 5 years at Namibian short ‘Against the Namibia's free-to-air station, Odds’, directed by Vickson ONE Africa Television, certainly Hangula, as part of the Soul City contributed to who I am as SA, One Love series under the filmmaker today. The incredible theme ‘Love stories in a time of opportunity that comes with HIV & AIDS’. I also produced the being in an environment that film. The series was televised in affords you access to resources all ten participating SADC and mentors on a daily basis countries. should never be underestimated.

You produced and My confidence as a writer, C. M. director and producer (the latter directed Namibia's first ever by default because our industry is reality television show, what was so small), came from that your intention and motivation exposure.

I found the NBC a behind the series?

Just Fabulous’ was a great learning school when I was M. S. first introduced to the industry project commissioned by ONE and immediately after my studies.

I had opportunities to direct

Marinda Stein with the Former President of Namibia Hifikepunye Pohamba and the former First Lady.

Africa Television. Contestants S. M. Dead River is a Namibian participated in a non-surgical short film directed by Tim makeover journey over a period of Huebschle (2012). It's a story set 13 weeks. Reality TV was a during Apartheid in Namibia, novelty then in Namibia and I was following the unlikely friendship both flattered and honoured to be of a farm worker's son and the the producer and director of this farmer's daughter who meet first-of-its-kind in the country. through the melodies she plays on My fearless nature embraced this. her flute and he whistles. The film After all, a few years back in 2003, won several awards (locally and I was part of the pioneering team internationally) and I am proud to of the station (ONE Africa TV). have been its producer. Tim has a The stories and personal growth special interest in stories that of the contestants still have a reflect on our country's political place in my heart. history and he crafted a soulful on-screen experience with Dead C.M. "Dead River" a short film River. It's a story that will live on produced by you and won an forever. award. Tell us briefly about it.

Marinda Stein at Toronto International Film Festival, Toronto, Canada.

Marinda Stein at International Film Toronto, Canada.

Toronto Festival,

Commission to the development of filmmaking in Namibia?

C.M. What is the fundamental impact of Namibia Film

M. S. The Namibia Film Commission's mandate is twofold, to promote Namibia as a film

Busy film season

location and to develop our local film industry. As its custodian, the NFC has been instrumental in the growth of the Namibian film industry over the past few years through the funding of films, training initiatives, festival support to filmmakers and creating a conducive environment for new entrants to the industry.

When I was appointed to the board of the Commission as industry representative in 2017, the NFC strategy included: formalization of our industry, creating a framework for a film policy, forging strategic partnerships, co-productions with African and foreign partners,

film infrastructure development, and international marketing.

Namibia has much to offer to the world. The multiple blockbusters that chose our country as location (i.e. Mad Max Fury Road, The Mummy, 10 000BC, etc.) and our for continuous popularity production with countries such as South Africa, Germany, UK, USA and Japan are proof of that. The recognition that our locally produced films enjoy internationally through awards, confirm that we can deliver products of excellence. While we do have the historic challenges with funding and distribution, the current strategy of the NFC is one with a long-term vision of

Street of Atlanta, USA

considering it a creative ecosystem in which all industry practitioners should grow and benefit simultaneously while becoming part of the African and global film industries.

C.M Lastly, can you briefly tell us about Red Hot Productions?

S.M. Red Hot Film Productions is a local content producer, creating high quality content for television and film for both local and global audiences.

Over the past decade we produced the award-winning short film 'Coming Home', TV commercials and corporate films for leading brands in Namibia, promotional films, PSAs, social documentaries and TV shows.

One of Red Hot’s proudest titles is my documentary series, 'Women of Our World', released on DVD in 2014. The series is an intimate account of phenomenal Namibian women who share their stories of courage, triumph, hope, faith, love and journeys of light.

I strive to capture the essence of the human spirit in my works.

‘Women of Our World’ offered a vast landscape to achieve that and to inspire others at the same time.

So often we subscribe to the idea

that we must have had to achieve something big in order to be recognized, that we are not enough. And yet, we all have a role to play – right there where we are. It is also my belief that as women we have great power in shaping our world. We all learn at mother's knee, right? If we have stronger, mentally healthier mothers, we will raise stronger children and productive citizens, have healthier communities and a better world.

Some of our projects in the near future include my first feature (in development), an Afrikaans TV series and a musical.

Evelyn Maisvoreva

THE FILM INDUSTRY WITH PAVILION AFRIQUES is the first tent within the Film Market section of the Cannes Film Festival dedicated to the business of Film in the African Continent and among its diaspora.

Barclais has been working for many years in the global event industry. She has been the Promotion Director for France and french speaking countries for diverse prestigious events in the Emirates.

Karine Barclais My name is Evelyn Maisvoreva, I am the Southern African Correspondent for Cleopatra Magazine, London. This is my interview with Karine Barclais, the founder of Pavillon Afriques which

C.M. You are Karine Barclais, the founder of Pavillon Afriques, what are your main aims and objectives.

K.B.

For too long, African

Interview with Lula Ali Ismael, Ambassador for Djibouti Cinema

contents have been overlooked. Now they are very much fashionable with the biggest platforms. My aim is to empower filmmakers from Africa and its diaspora and to be instrumental in building a stronger film industry on the continent.

Because African contents deserve to be more than a trend that depends on other people’s desires but becomes a constant feature in the global film industry.

C.M. One of the fundamental objectives of Pavillon Afriques is to create an avenue where African Filmmaker can network globally.

What have you set in motion to create such awareness?

K.B. Networking is key in every industry but I really think that it is fundamental in the film industry. The African pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival is a prestigious venue for professionals to get to know each other. But Pavillon Afriques is a platform that all year long, provides networking, business and education opportunities.

Through regular events like our strategic virtual meetings recently rebranded Pavillon

Nigerian Film Professionals at the Pavilion Afriques stand at the Film Festival in Cane.

Afriques Chronicles, podcasts, pitch sessions, monetization of contents, we create a community, step by step. People from a large spectrum of the film ecosystem are listening to us, getting in touch with us from Africa but also the USA and Europe.

C. M. Festival de Cannes is the world's biggest gathering of film Industry professionals who comes to sell the rights to films and expand their professional network. You had your own podium during the great festival, what advice do you have for African filmmakers?

K.B.

If it’s regarding attending

professional events, I would say it’s crucial in building a career. I know sometimes money is an issue but festivals are the places where you can show your work, build your branding, create connections that can eventually lead to the creation of projects with fellow professionals all over the world.

C.M. Pavillon Afriques is the first dedicated Pavillon within the film market section of the Cannes Film Festival dedicated to the business of film in Africa. Can you explain some of the benefits that the Africans can gain from it?

K.B I would say a network, opportunities to monetize their

Interview at the Film Festival, Cane.

contents, a place to further their education and grow their knowledge of the industry. And being with likeminded people, sharing the same vision is great for empowerment.

C.M. You recently organized a platform titled "Strategizing the Post Covid Era" where various speakers around the world spoke on the virtual platform. Tell us about it.

K.B. Right before the pandemic, we had organized a series of monthly virtual events called

“Meeting film professionals”. We invited Aïssata Sy, a producer, Franciane Abassan, a sales agent and Angela Anukam, a lawyer. The pandemic was an opportunity for us to rethink the concept. Since January, it has been rebranded “The Chronicles”, focusing more on strategic solutions. The theme generated a real buzz as we had to turn down registrations. And the speakers were experts from the industry who really had a lot to share.

African Film Professionals in Uganda

The Chronicles is part of a larger strategy to give more tools to the Afro-descendants. We also launched an online film school, Arts & Business Center (www.arts.artsbusinesscenter.com) where trainers from Hollywood with Emmy, SAG or Oscar awards give outstanding content at a price that I wanted very affordable.

to finance their projects. This is crucial. Sometimes, you cannot but wonder how some contents could even come to existence. Creativity can make up for the lack of funds in an incredible way. But when a filmmaker declares that he has shot a movie for a few thousand dollars, it’s partly a myth since he does not usually include the value of the friends who helped for free or what C.M. What in your opinion are the they were paid in-kind. And this way greatest challenges facing the of shooting a film does not help African Films industry? create an industry.

B.A. I would say there are 2 main The 2nd challenge is challenges. One is finding the funds monetization of contents. If a

the

Photo shoot at the Film Festival.

Kenya, Tanzania and Nigerian Film Professionals during the Film Festival, in Cane.

producer wants to have a return on investment, he must include in his budget marketing & communication.

Very often, this is overlooked because of the scarcity of funds. And the last leg is very tricky: which strategy in terms of the festival?

Which doors to open to sell this specific content? This is where a solid network becomes quite handy.

Handing over the commercial part to a professional (sales agent or distributor) can help save time, energy and land the desired results.

It’s the best way not to have contents sit in cupboards.

C,M. What’s next for Karine Barclais?

B.A. I will certainly continue forging ahead in the event and the film industry. I already have two specific projects underway but it’s too early to tell.

Stephen Akinmosa

EMERGING AFRICAN FILMMAKERS YOU SHOULD KNOW There has been a marked increase in the internalisation activities of African films over the last two decades. Despite the global competitiveness which remains a serious challenge to African films at corporate level, there have been remarkable progress in the industry.

We continue to witness new rising stars who are paying homage to their cinematic heritage and relentlessly breaking exciting new grounds.

African cinema is at last infiltrating the world market with major works of indigenous cultures that explore and adapt their oral and literary traditions to the articulation of a new film language. These are upand-coming film directors and producers you should know.

Rungano NYONI (Zambia), Welshraised, graduated from Central Saint Martins School of the Arts in London with a Masters in Acting in 2009.

Rungano Nyoni is a ZambianWelsh director and screenwriter.

She is known for the film I Am Not a Witch, which she wrote and directed.

She debuted her remarkable first featured at the Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight to widespread acclaim. I Am Not a Witch, about a nine-yearold girl accused of witchcraft by her fellow villagers, She won BAFTA for Outstanding Debut in 2018 and has also garnered accolades from international film festivals.

The film’s young protagonist is soon paraded by her keeper

Rungano Nyoni around local courts and TV stations, but her rebellious spirit remains indomitable.

Rungano Nyoni drew her inspiration from her visit to one of

Ghana’s real “witch camps”, she also added some magical realistic elements to compliment the film’s striking visuals.

Appoline Traore

Apolline Traoré was born in 1976 in Burkina Faso. She studied film at Emerson College in Boston. Her first short film, The Price of Ignorance won the Prix du Jury at the Pan African Film Festival in Ouagadougou (FESPACO). She also wrote and directed a television series consisting of 20 episodes called Monia et Rama in 2002. In 2003, she directed Kounandi, which was selected for the 2004 Toronto International Film Festival. She

produced her own feature film, Sous la clarté de la lune, in 2004. She returned to Burkina Faso in 2005 and started working with pioneering Burkinabé director Idrissa Ouédraogo. In 2008, she directed a television series, Le testament. Her film Borders won three prizes at FESPACO 2017, including the Paul Robeson Prize for the Best Film by a Director from the African Diaspora.

Mary Remmy

Mary Nnenna Njoku (also known as Mary Remmy Njoku, she is a Nigerian actress and film producer, and Director General of the awardwinning Lagos-based film house, ROK Studios, in Nigeria. She produced and starred in Thy Will be

Done, Husbands of Lagos; starred and directed Single Ladies and Festac Town.

She deserves accolades for her role with Ninolowo in Picture Perfect: Raising Jobestina.

Alain Gomis

Alain Gomis is a French-Senegalese film director and screenwriter. His 2017 film Félicité was selected as the Senegalese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards, making the December shortlist.

The son of working class Senegalese parents, Alain Gomis studied at Sorbonne University but failed entrance exams to France’s leading film school. While teaching basic filmmaking to school children

in his surburbs of Paris, he started making short documentaries.

The idea for his debut feature, L’Afrance, came about after seeing his elder brother held in a French Detention Centre due to lack of appropriate papers. Felicite, was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards and won the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.

Layla Bouzid

Her father Nouri is one of Tunisia’s best-known film director.

Leyla BOUZID studied French Literature at the Sorbonne and was educated in filmmaking at La Fémis in Paris. The short film An Angel Passes (2010) was her directorial debut. In 2014 her first feature film, God Protect My Daughter, was released. Her North African background plays a large role in herwork.

Currently residing in France, her 2015 debut feature ‘ As I Open My Eyes ‘ is a cinematic ode to her roots. Premiering at Venice Film Festival, the film follows a young Tunisian woman struggling against her family’s wishes as she pursues a singing career just before the country’s Jasmine Revolution in 2010.

DUBAI CRIMINALS PARADISE

Global independent report concluded that the UAE, and in particular the Emirate of Dubai, has become a safe haven for the laundering of funds from a number of war criminals, financiers, and drug traffickers, based on leaks of a database of information on property and residence documents for these persons.

Transparency International revealed that Dubai has become a global sanctuary for money laundering, where “corrupt and other criminals”

can buy luxury properties without any restrictions.

Transparency said it is possible to buy a property in Dubai worth millions of pounds, in exchange for bags of cash and a few questions from the concerned authorities.

Dubai is on the international stage in the field of money laundering and the existence of suspicious practices in the real estate sector, according to Transparency and other bodies.

Daniel Kinahan The city with a tower-filled skyline. a Ferrari in every car park and a sparkling nightlife hides a dark underbelly of capital crooks, drug dealing, foreign scammers and money laundering.

It is not uncommon to find suitcases at the airport full of money from shady business deals while those in the know use corrupt influences to evade the law.

The number of people on the run in Dubai has definitely increased in the recent years.

Alleged gang bosses Daniel Kinahan, 43, his brother Christopher, 40. and their father Christy, 64, even have Dubai resident cards. They were named in the High Court in Dublin as the head of a £1 billion drugs and arms cartel.

‘Hushpuppy’ Raymond Igbalode Abbas Raymond Igbalode Abbas, also known as ‘Hushpuppi’, and Olalekan Jacob Ponle aka ‘Woodberry’, along with ten African cybercriminals were arrested for offences that were committed outside the UAE. Dubai Police arrested two ringleaders of a multi-million dollar

cybercrime operation, along with ten of their operatives in a special operation dubbed ‘Fox Hunt 2’.

Raymond Igbalode Abbas, also known as ‘Hushpuppi’, and Olalekan Jacob Ponle aka ‘Woodberry’, along with ten African cybercriminals were arrested for

Zahid Khan

offences that were outside the UAE.

committed

Dubai Police said the crimes includes money-laundering, cyber fraud, hacking, criminal impersonating, scamming individuals, banking fraud and identity theft.

The director of Dubai CID said the raid resulted in confiscating incriminating documents of a planned fraud on a global scale worth AED 1.6 billion ($ 435 million).

"The team also seized more than AED 150 million ($40.9 million) in cash, 13 luxury cars with an estimated value of AED 25 million

($6.8 million) obtained from fraud crimes, and confiscated 21 computer devices, 47 smartphones, 15 memory sticks, five hard disks containing 119,580 fraud files as well as addresses of 1,926,400 victims", he said.

After conducting further investigations and analysing confiscated electronic devices, Dubai Police investigators uncovered sensitive information mined by the suspects on individuals and companies overseas including bank accounts and fake credit cards as well as documents and files condemning the gangs' illegal activities.

Jordan Clement A 27-year-old drug gang boss who lived an indulgent life of luxury has lost his wealth and his freedom after being jailed for his crimes.

Jordan Clements from Failsworth in Oldham, drove a Mercedes with a personalised numberplate reading 'BO55', bought a £313,000 holiday

villa in Dubai and wore a £34,000 Rolex watch.

Using a 'safe house' in Bury, with an Uzi sub-machine gun stashed under the stairs, Clements distributed wholesale quantities of drugs.

LeToya Luckett and Tommicus Walker

CELEBRITY BREAKUPS IN 2020 (Part 2) “After very prayerful consideration, Tommicus and I have decided to get a divorce,” Luckett announced in a statement on 11 January. “It is my deepest desire for us to be loving coparents and keep a peaceful environment out of respect for our children. Please understand our

need for privacy. Thank you in advance for your prayers, support & space to heal as we tread through this challenging time.” The couple shares two kids, Gianna who is 2 years old and Tysun who is 1 year old.

Johnny Middlebrooks and Cely Vazquez

The love Island USA contestants have called it quits. The reality stars first linked up during season two of the reality dating series, which aired in the summer of 2019.

“Because you’ve all been such a close part of our relationship, I wanted to share with you that Johnny and I are no longer together,” Vazquez tweeted on January 9. “While our relationship has been public from the start, I do ask that you respect this decision and our privacy during this time.”

She continued, “There is no reason to speculate, I am so thankful for our time together, but now it’s simply time for each of us to focus on our personal journeys. I hope that you

will continue to support each one of us individually as we move forward, heal and continue to follow our dreams.”

Middlebrooks reposted her tweet on Instagram Stories, writing, “all love.”

“Thank you so much for everything. I appreciate the time we spent together on this unforgettable journey.” He wrote in a second slide, “I will forever cherish the fun we had, the laughs we shared and the memories we created. Thank you to all of the fans who loved and supported us the whole way through. Much love.”

Justine Ndiba & Caleb Corprew

Three months after winning Love Island, the duo announced they were going their separate ways.

Justine shared on Instagram on January 16, "This is extremely

difficult for me to express but out of respect for those of you who supported me and rode for me, I want you to know that Caleb and I are no longer together."

Darius Rucker & Beth Leonard

"Beth and I would like to share that after much reflection we have made the decision to consciously uncouple," the singer shared on

Instagram. "We remain close friends and parenting partners and continue to be each other's biggest cheerleaders."

Ray J. and Princess Love Princess Love first filed for divorce from the singer in early May. She is however moving forward with her divorce from Ray J. In new Court documents obtained by E! News, Princess has filed for full custody of the couple's two children. She is also asking Ray J for child support.

Over the past several months, the couple's marital troubles have played out very publicly. Last November, a then-pregnant Princess Love accused the R&B singer of leaving her and their

daughter "stranded" in Las Vegas without a safe way to get home. The social media scandal escalated further when Princess Love claimed that Ray J had left their Vegas hotel room to "party with escorts and strippers."

Meanwhile, Ray J, 39, insisted there was no truth to the rumors and offered an apology to Princess Love on The Wendy Williams Show.

Tyrese & Samantha

The Fast & Furious star and his wife of four years announced their split in a joint statement on December 29. "We have decided to make a statement of a painful and significant development in our lives.

After much thought,

consideration and prayer, we unfortunately have made the difficult decision to officially separate and divorce," the duo shared. "Our intention is to remain the best of friends and strong coparents."

Tina Onalapo

AFRICAN-AMERICAN CELEBRITIES WHO HAVE TRACED THEIR AFRICAN ROOTS

Samuel Leroy Jackson is an American actor and producer.

Widely regarded as one of the most popular actors of his generation, the films in which he has appeared have collectively grossed over $27 billion worldwide, making him the highestgrossing actor of all time.

Like many AfricanAmerica ns, the actor wanted to discover his ancestry and he found them deeply rooted in Gabon. After finding his roots, Jackson visited Gabon, where he met with the president, Ali Bongo Ondimba and his wife, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba. Jackson was given Gabonese citizenship and passport.

Tiffany Sara Cornilia Haddish is an American actress, comedian and author. After guest-starring on several television series, she gained prominence for her role as Nekeisha Williams on the NBC sitcom 'The Carmichael Show'.

In May 2019, the American comedian and actress became a full

citizen of Eritrea, the birthplace of her father, who moved to the United States as a refugee before she was born. Brought up in the United States, she always identified herself as American with Eritrean parentage. She first visited Eritrea in 2018 to bury her father, Tsihaye Reda Haddish.

Idrissa Akuna Elba OBE is an English actor, writer, producer, rapper, singer, songwriter and DJ. He is known for roles including Stringer Bell in the HBO series - The Wire, DCI John Luther in the BBC One series - Luther and Nelson Mandela in the biographical film Mandela, "Long Walk to Freedom".

Last year Elba was given the citizenship of his father’s native Sierra Leone.

The famed international show celebrity was brought up in east London before finding fame in America. He is best known for playing Nelson Mandela in the biographical film Mandela, "Long Walk to Freedom (2013)", drug trafficker Stringer Bell on the HBO series - The Wire and DCI John Luther on the BBC One series Luther.

Isaiah Washington IV is an American actor and internet personality. Following a series of film appearances, he came to prominence for portraying Dr. Preston Burke in the first three seasons of the series Grey's Anatomy from 2005 to 2007.

Best known for his role as the gifted cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr Preston Burke on Grey’s Anatomy went down the history books as the first African-American to receive Sierra

Leonean citizenship in 2008.

Washington was born in Houston, Texas, where his parents relocated to Missouri City, Texas.

While some celebrities have gotten citizenship rights, others chose to trace their roots and know their ancestral homes, using ancestry and genealogical databases.

Unsurprisingly, many found their lineage back in Africa.

Christopher Julius Rock is an American comedian, actor, television producer and filmmaker.

After working as a stand-up comedian and appearing in supporting film roles, Rock came to wider prominence as a cast member

of Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s.

One of the most successful comedians, Rock found that his roots stem from the Udeme people (Ouldémé) of northern Cameroon.

E r i c a A bi Wr i g ht , k no w n professionally as Erykah Badu, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Influenced by R&B, 1970s soul and 1980s hip hop, Badu became associated with the neo soul subgenre in the 1990s and 2000 s along with artists l ike D'Angelo. She has been called the QueenofNeosoul.

When the singer and songwriter found out in 2015 that her heritage traces back to Cameroon, she decided to make a trip there. The discovery was one of spiritual e n l i g h t e n m e n t , a cc o r d i ng to OkayAfrica, which followed her during the visit. Badu, who is from the Bamileke tribe, met with chiefs a nd l o c a l s d uri ng he r s t a y.

Caryn Elaine Johnson (born November 13, 1955), known professionally as Whoopi Goldberg, she is an American actress, comedian, author and television personality. A recipient of numerous accolades, Goldberg is one of sixteen entertainers to have won an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, an Academy Award and a Tony Award.

She was born and raised in New York City, but her DNA was traced a few years back and indicated she has ancestral roots in Africa. The Sarafina star’s ancestors are from Guinea-Bissau and when she found this out, the Tourism Ministry of Bissau invited her to visit them but she turned the offer down since she has a fear of flying.

Christopher Tucker is an American actor and stand-up comedian. He is known for his roles as Stephen Cleopatra: Christopher Tucker is an American actor and stand-up comedian. He is known for his roles as Detective James Carter in Brett Ratner's Rush Hour film series and Smokey in F. Gary Gray's Friday.

He became a frequent stand-up performer on Def Comedy Jam in the 1990s.

Stephen Cleopatra: Actor and comedian best known for playing the role of Smokey in Friday, the Rush Hour movies and who topped the charts as the highest paid

Hollywood actor in 2007 traces his roots to Angola and Cameroon.

Detective James Carter in Brett Ratner's Rush Hour film series and Smokey in F. Gary Gray's Friday.

He became a frequent stand-up performer on Def Comedy Jam in the 1990s.

Actor and comedian best known for playing the role of Smokey in Friday, the Rush Hour movies and who topped the charts as the highest paid Hollywood actor in 2007 traces his roots to Angola and Cameroon.

Oprah Gail Winfrey is an American talk show host, television producer, actress, author and philanthropist.

The billionaire media mogul found out on a show called African American Lives that her ancestry traced back to three different

countries: Liberia (the Kpelle people), Cameroon (the Bamileke) and Zambia.

Thomas Dexter Jakes Sr., known as T. D. Jakes, is an American bishop, author and filmmaker. He is the bishop of The Potter's House, a nondenominational American megachurch. Jakes's church services and evangelistic sermons are broadcast on The Potter's Touch.

23 Sept 2020 — Popular American preacher, Bishop T.D Jakes of the Potter's House, has revealed how he discovered that his ancestors are from the Igbo tribe of Nigeria. Jakes, who is a renowned author, in an interview with BBC Igbo said his Igbo ancestry was discovered after DNA test.

Queen Adelakun

NAOMI CAMPBELL SUGGESTS TYRA BANK IS ‘REAL MEAN GIRL’ Story to repost a link to an article about the pair's bitter situation.

Naomi reported the article, which was written by a US website that suggested Tyra is "the real mean girl".

Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell suggests Tyra Banks is 'the real mean girl' as bitter feud escalates.

Naomi Campbell isn't willing to let her long-standing bitter feud with fellow supermodel Tyra Banks go anytime soon.

The British runway star, 50, made her thoughts on their relationship clear as she took to her Instagram

Not adding her own comment on the piece, Naomi opted to simply repost the article on her story, which read, "Here's why fans are starting to think Tyra Banks is the real mean girl, not N aomi C a m p b e l l . " The pair haven't seen eye-to-eye for years ever since Tyra claimed thenestablished supermodel Naomi made her feel unwelcome when she first entered the fashion industry.

Speaking about their history, Tyra last year told WSJ, “It wasn’t a rivalry. I’m very sensitive to that

Tyra Banks

word because a rivalry is between two equals to me,

in 2005, when Naomi was a guest on 'The Tyra Show'.

whereas one was very dominant, she was a supermodel and I was just this new girl that had got on a plane from Paris and was studying fashion and magazines."

In an ill-fated attempt to clear the air on their long-standing conflict, Tyra couldn't help but launch into her accusations against Naomi.

"As much as I was booking fashion shows, people didn’t know I was going home at night crying my eyes out because the woman I was looking up to seemed like she just didn’t want me to be there and was doing everything in her power to make me go away."

The girls first had an open conversation about their feud back

Tyra went on to bring up the time Naomi had supposedly called her the “B-word” backstage at a fashion show they were both walking in.

She said at the time, “You called me the B-word and said ‘We have a photoshoot to do in Anguilla' and it’s not going to be pleasant if you’re talking about me like that."

But the comment didn't go down lightly with Naomi, who instantly defended herself by claiming that she had heard the “tail-end” of Tyra's conversation about her.

Tyra went on to accuse Naomi of telling her, "You'll never be me.

Don’t think you can be me,” backstage at a fashion show.

DIDDY GIVES MOM $1 MILLION & A BENTLEY TO CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY

Diddy and Mom Diddy celebrated his mom's 80th birthday with a lavish party on Monday night and gave her both a cheque for a whopping $1 million and a Bentley for her big day.

In the clip captured by a party goer and posted on social media by a fan account, the rapper looks on with a giant smile as his mother unwraps the gift containing the seven-digit cheque. "Oh my God!" Janice Combs exclaims, appearing genuinely awestruck as the amount written on the cheque dawns on the room.

Later in the evening, Diddy brought the entire party outside to see his mom's new Bentley drive up, complete with a giant red bow. The music mogul's son Justin Combs also shared videos on his own Instagram Stories of his grandma's new ride coming up the driveway as well as her shocked expression as party attendees cheered the arrival of the extravagant gift.

In a separate post to his Instagram, the Bad Boy Records mogul shared a sweet tribute to his mom. "I only exist because of this beautiful,

Family Picture hardworking, loving, hilarious, asswhooping, always telling me the truth, genuine, smart, fly absolutely amazing Black Goddess Queen!!

Happy 80th Birthday to the best mother in the world! Love you forever and ever!" he wrote alongside a snap of the elder Combs posing on a staircase, before adding, "... and this is actually her at 80 ... no filter ... no edit!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY #MAMACOMBS." And that's not all! Diddy also took to his Instagram Stories to gush over his mom's big day ahead of the party. "On December 21, my mother was born, OK?" he said in a

selfie video. "Today my mother turns 80 years old. Yo, now that's my hero right there. Ain't nobody like your mama. I give all the thanks and glory to God for my mother.

"And this is what's so crazy about today. Apart from the moon and the stars aligning ... this is the craziest thing. My twins, Jessie and D'Lila, it's their birthday today too. So you know we goin' up today," the superstar continued, downing a pair of sunglasses. "C'mon man, I'm the luckiest guy in the world."

GUCCI