Stella Damasus is an award-winning Nigerian actress, producer, gospel singer, vocal coach, acting coach, and writer. She is the founder of the Stella Damasus Arts (SDA) Foundation and co-founder of Index Two Studios.
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Stella Damasus Background
Stella Damasus was born on the 24th of April 1978, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. She had most of her early education in Benin and concluded her secondary education in Asaba, Delta State after her family relocated to Delta state. The prolific actress obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
She also went for a Film Audition Workshop and an On-Camera Intensive training. Stella Damasus currently resides in the US but travels to Nigeria for holidays or work. She is married to the popular filmmaker, Daniel Ademinokan, and they are blessed with children.
Stella Damasus Career
Stella Damasus commenced her career in the Nigerian entertainment industry as a singer at Klink Studios, Lagos. While working at the studio, she honed her singing skills and was selected to do the vocals of top radio and TV jingles, trending in Nigeria at the time.
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Her debut movie as an actress was Abused in 1992. It was her second movie, Breaking point, that propelled her to the limelight. Thus far, she has featured in over 70 movies.
Stella Damasus is the co-founder of I2radio, and the host of two podcast shows- Undiluted with Stella Damasus, and When Women Praise.
Stella is passionate about the rights and welfare of women and young girls across the world. This passion led her to create a mentorship and capacity building program called Adiva. As an entertainer, Stella entertains and educates her fans through various media programs.
These programs are:
- African Girl Abroad – a chat show about the life of African immigrants living in America.
- Actors Playhouse – a program that showcases the actors’ lifestyle.
- Excuse my African – a weekly podcast, where she talks about the life of a misrepresented and misunderstood African girl abroad.
- Daily Dose – a daily podcast where Stella shares her experiences raw and unscripted. She also gives a daily boost to motivate listeners.
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Filmography
1992 – 2003
- Betrayed by Love
- Rattle Snake 1, 2 and 3
- Two Brides and a Baby
- Abused – 1992
- Obaseki – 1997
- Face of a Liar – 1999
- Rumours – 2001
- Submission – 2002
- Real Love – 2003
- Passions – 2003
- My Time 1 and 2 – 2003
- When God Says Yes – 2003
- Never Say Goodbye – 2003
- Market seller 1 and 2 – 2003
- The Intruder 1 and 2 – 2003
- Emotional Pain – 2003
- Dangerous Desire – 2003
- Bad Boys – 2003
- After the Fight – 2003
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2004 – 2008
- Queen 1 and 2 – 2004
- Missing Angel 1,2 and 3 – 2004
- Kings Pride – 2004
- Engagement Night 1 and 2 – 2004
- Above Love – 2004
- Red Hot – 2004
- Burning Desire 1 and 2 – 2004
- Cinderella – 2004
- Dangerous Twins 1, 2 and 3 – 2004
- Wheel of Change – 2005
- The Seed 1 and 2 – 2005
- Desperate and Dangerous – 2005
- Real Love 2 and 3 – 2005
- Games Women Play 1 and 2 – 2005
- The Bridesmaid – 2005
- Behind Closed Doors 1 and 2 – 2005
- Widow – 2005
- Standing Alone – 2006
- Yankee Girls 1 and 2 – 2008
- Four sisters – 2008
- Halimat – 2008
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2016 – 2020
- Affairs of the Heart – 2016
- When is it Enough – 2017
- Here and There (Instagram Series) – 2017
- Ajakubo – 2017
- Excuse my African – 2018
- Gone – 2018
- Mix Match – 2018
- Between – 2019
- Here – 2019
- Zikora – 2020
Theatre Movies
- Kaleidoscope
- When Gods Die
- Obaseki
- Game of Wit
- What the Steward Saw (USA)
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Music Album
- The Alternative
Stella Damasus Arts (SDA) Foundation
The Stella Damasus Arts Foundation is a non – profit organization established to alleviate the sufferings of the less privileged. The organization also provides economic, intellectual, and emotional support to the society, through arts. SDA Foundation launched its free arts training program on the 16th of May 2011.
As An Ambassador
- Women ambassador for Globally Igniting Africa (GIA), a Non-profit Organization.
- Ambassador for Women4africa.
- An ambassador of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
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Stella Damasus Awards And Nominations
- Nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) – 2009
- Award for Best Actress at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards – 2007
- Best Actress at the Golden Icons Academy Awards in Houston, Texas – 2012
- Nominee for the PAN African Actor/Actress at the maiden edition of the Cameroun Entertainment Awards – 2012
- Lead Actress Diaspora Award at the African Culture Image Awards (ACI) – 2016
- Nominee at the Best of African Gospel Music Awards (BAGMA) for the Best Female Vocalist in Diaspora – 2016
- Nominated at the Best of African Gospel Music Awards (BAGMA) for the Best Traditional Song of the Year – 2016
- Best Actress at the African Film Festival (AFF) for the movie, Between – 2019
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Stella Damasus Quotes
“If you want a different result then be ready to embrace change.”
“Even with the noise around the actor, you must tune out everything and focus on being in the moment.”
“Doing what you love is freedom. Loving what you do is happiness.”
“No matter how much attention we pay to our physical appearance; we must remember that external beauty fades.”
“Your inner beauty is more important because when the outer beauty starts to age and wrinkle, the inner beauty radiates and shines through it.”
“We can grow behind our wildest dreams. Don’t stop learning, pushing and working.”
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“You can miss a lot of good things in life by having the wrong attitude. You may be the most intelligent or talented person around, but the work and money go to others who may not even measure up. Talent and intelligence are never enough. Your attitude carries 70percent.”
“Sometimes, help comes from the most unexpected people. Be careful with the way you treat those you feel are not on your level.”
“Let love always be your first response, life is already tough enough.”
“Embrace every aspect of who you are. Make changes to be the best version of yourself and not to become someone else.”
“Don’t judge your unfinished story. Your story is still being told so, don’t judge it and give yourself unnecessary heartache.”
“…Never compare your beginning to someone else’s ending. You will get discouraged. Your stories were not written side by side, neither was there a track and field event when you all were born.”
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Entrepreneurial Lessons
Be Passionate And Focused
Stella Damasus is passionate about all she does especially acting. This is obvious because she talks about it a lot. She is known to immerse herself in any role and interpret it to the best of her ability. Her prolific acting skill has earned her awards and a huge fanbase.
Entrepreneurs should be passionate about whatever business they decide to operate. Without passion and focus, the whole thing would get tiring, unfulfilling, and boring. We cannot over emphasise the importance of passion. Passion for what you do will help you stay put during difficult times of your entrepreneurial journey.
Image Credit: @stelladamasus – Instagram, stelladamasus.com
