Ufuoma McDermott: Biography, Age, Career, Family And Movies

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Ufuoma McDermott: Biography, Age, Career, Family And Movies

Ufuoma McDermott

Ufuoma Stacey McDermott (née Ejenobor /ˈfmə ˈɛənəbɔːr/ oo-FOH-mə EJ-ə-nə-bor; born 23 April 1981) is a Nigerian film-maker, actor and former model.

Early life

Ejenobor was born in Benin City to Nigerian parents who hail from Delta State in Nigeria. She moved a lot – from Benin City to Jos, where she spent the better part of her toddler years, and later to Lagos, where she has lived for the greater part of her life and still resides till date. At the age of seven, her father coined a pet name for her: ISIO (which means “star” in Urhobo). She was so named after the star actress of the TELEFEST programme put together by NTA Benin, The Pot of Life.

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Personal life

Ejenobor got married on 23 April 2010 to Steven McDermott. She officially changed her name to Ufuoma McDermott on 23 May 2014 at a Lagos high court.

Education

She went through Alama Private School Jos, Plateau state, Tunwase Nursery and primary school Ikeja, Lagos and finally Molly International Nursery and primary Ajao Estate for her nursery and primary education. She then attended Federal Government College, Odogbolu, Ogun State for her secondary education.

Ufuoma later bagged a degree in French language from the University of Lagos where she partook in a Federal Government scholarship holiday programme. She also has certificates and diplomas from Alliance Française and NIIT. She holds a master’s degree in Public and International Affairs, also from the University of Lagos.

In 2011, she attended New York Film Academy in Los Angeles for an acting course and later on a film making course from Dov Simen’s Hollywood Film Institute. In 2013, she obtained a certificate in Human resource management from the London Business School.

In Summer 2015, she was part of the Relativity Education program from Nigeria, owned by Relativity Media in Beverly Hills.

Entertainment

She started a career in entertainment with modelling in 2000 as a photographic model and later moved on to the runway and beauty pageants.

Pageants

By 2002, she had participated in two mini-pageants, won the Miss Ebony beauty pageant and partaken in her first national pageant: Miss Commonwealth(Vanessa Ekeke), where she won the Miss Congeniality prize. Later the same year, she emerged 1st runner up in the queen Afrik beauty pageant (Tamilore Kuboye).

2003 saw her in the Queen of all Nations beauty pageant (Dubra Fufeyin) where she was again the 1st runner up.

In 2004 she contested in the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant where she emerged …yet, 1st runner up. Not long after she was crowned Miss Earth Nigeria and consequently went to represent the country at the Miss Earth 2004

Film

In February 2004, Ejenobor decided on a movie career. Starting off with Zeb Ejiro’s The President Must Not Die, she has continued to have roles in movies. In May 2005, she played her first lead role in Life and Death, her third movie after The President Must Not Die and Guy on the Line. By December 2005, she played Chibuzor on the Edge of Paradise TV series produced by Royal Roots network.

In 2008 she took on the role of “Lillian Wright” in the TV series My Mum and I a role that garnered her a nomination for a best actress award at the 2010 Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo and one at The Terracotta Nigerian TV and Film Awards. She was nominated as the Actor of the year 2011 at the Future Awards 

Stage

In January 2018, McDermott reprised her roles as “Mama Baby”, “Women Call Leader” and “Sister Esther” in the stage production Hear Word, which returned for the second year in a row to Harvard and was staged at the prestigious American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.SA. The production covers various themes, which address issues against women in society. The play, which made its debut in Lagos, Nigeria in 2014, also features the acting talents of Joke Silva, Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett and Bimbo Akintola.

Hear Word featured at the Edinburgh International Festival in August 2019, and McDermott, Joke Silva, Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett and other cast members performed at the Royal Lyceum, in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Guardian UK, in its review of the show, described it as “at once tough and inspirational”, giving the play a three-star out of five.

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The USM Show with Ufuoma McDermott

In July 2019, McDermott put together a live-theatre experience at the Eko Hotel and Towers in Lagos, tagged “The USM Show with Ufuoma McDermott”. The event was a potpourri of live music, dance performances and a debut of her stage production “The Magic of a Dream”.

The Magic of a Dream was directed by Toritseju Ejoh and featured acting performances from several notable Nigerian thespians including Femi Branch, Chioma Akpotha, Offiong Anthony (Thin Tall Tony), Akah Nnani and Zara Udofia-Ejoh. The USM Show also featured live music and comedy performances from a range of Nigerian entertainers, including, Teni the entertainer, Seyi Law and MC Abbey. Movie Directing/Production

At the premiere of her movie directorial debut, McDermott revealed that she had begun writing the story for the film Christmas is Coming in 2013. The movie was however released in November 2017 ahead of the Christmas holidays.

In 2018, she earned her sophomore production credit with the release of What Just Happened in cinemas across Nigeria.

Recognition

  • Best Actress in a TV series Nominee – Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2011
  • Actor of the Year 2011 Nominee- The Future Awards
  • Best Actress nominee – Golden Nymph Awards 2010 (Monte Carlo Television Festival)
  • Best Actress in a Drama Series nominee, Terracotta TV and Film Awards
  • Go, Red Africa, Best Female Model, 2007
  • African Youth Society, Role Model Award, 2009
  • Represented Nigeria at the Miss Earth 2004 beauty pageant
  • McDermott was a speaker at TEDx Rayfield, which held in December 2017
Pageant
YearPageantStatus
2004Miss Earth NigeriaWinner
2004Miss Nigeria1st Runner up
2003Queen of all Nation1st Runner up
2002Queen Afrik1st Runner up
2002Miss CommonwealthMiss Congeniality
2001Miss EbonyWinner

Ufuoma Ejenobor at the Golden Nymph Awards

Ufuoma also received a Golden Nymph Best Actress nomination at the 2010 Monte Carlo Television Festival alongside Tina Fey, Jane Krakowski and January Jones.

Awards

YEARAWARDCATEGORYNOTE
2003Nigerian French VillageFille AfricaineWon
2007African heart foundation at The African Fashion showBest ModelWon
2009African Youth SocietyRole Model AwardWon
2010Golden Nymph Award at the Monte Carlo Television FestivalBest Actress in a comedyNominated 
2010Terracotta Television and Film AwardsBest Actress in a drama seriesNominated 
2011The Future AwardsBest ActressNominated
2014AMVCA Africa Magic Viewers choice awardsBest New media-Online videoNominated (JUNGLE JEWEL)
2015Delta Entertainment AwardsMost Outstanding ActressWon
2016ELOY AwardsActress (Big screen)Nominated
2017City People AwardsBest ActressWon

Filmography

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YearFilmRoleNotes
2004The President Must Not DieDetective- Supporting roleFilm Director Zeb Ejiro starring Ibinabo Fiberesima, Enebeli Elebuwa- Released 2005
2004Life PartnerFilm Director Adim Williams also starring Jim Iyke, Lilian Bach
2004Queen of My HeartClaudiaFilm Director Neville Ossai starring Rita Dominic, Clem Ohameze
2004Secrets and LiesTV mini-series
2005Life and Death*1st Lead Role. Film Director Bond Emeruwa starring Zack Orji, Emeka Ossai
2005Guy on The LineFilm Director Jaja Michael starring Rita Dominic, Jim Iyke, Chidi Mokeme
2005Missed LoveFilm Director Adim Williams starring Oge Okoye, Hank Anuku, Jim Iyke
2005Two Good FriendsFloxyFilm Directors Famous Otakpowen and Omoefe Kingsley starring John Okafor, Empress Njamah, Grace Amah, Uche Jombo
2005Desperate BillionaireFilm Director Jaja Michael starring Bimbo Akintola, Rita Dominic, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Ini Edo
2005Unknown AngelStellaFilm Director Ernest Obi starring Ernest Obi, Emeka Eniocha, Ebubu Nwagbo, Tony Umez, Mike Ezuruonye
2005Height Of IndecisionFilm Director Ernest Obi starring Amaechi Munagor, Chinyere Wilfred
2005Baby GuardsNonyeFilm Director Ifeanyi Onyeabo starring Ashley Nwosu, Osita Iheme, Chinedu Ikedieze
2005My ExperienceFilm Director Oyin starring Emeka Enyioha, Ini Edo, Susuan Patrick, Thelma Okodua
2006Emotional BlackmailFilm Director Ernest Obi starring Zack Orji, Tony Umez, Mike Ezuruonye, Ini Edo
2006One ChanceFilm Director Emeka Nwabueze starring Oge Okoye, Emeka Nwafor, Francis Duru, Moses Armstrong
2006Painful WorldVivianFilm Director Willie Ajenge starring Chioma Chukwuka, Desmond Elliot, Mercy Johnson, Moses Effret
2006Honey DesireVivianFilm Director Stanley William starring Florence Onuma, Ngozi Orji, Mike Ezuruonye, Monalisa Chinda
2006Edge of ParadiseChibuzor (2 Episodes)TV soap. Film Director Greg Odutayo starring Norbert Young, Caroline King, Akeem Rahaman
2006Dangerous FriendsFilm Director Ernest Obi starring Steph Nora Okere, Mike Ezuruonye, Yemi Blaq, Onyeka Onwenu
2006NebuchadnezzarCynthiaFilm Director Stanley William starring Emeka Eniocha, Moses Armstrong, John Okafor
2006Dream come TrueLagbaja’s ChoiceMusical Video for Musician Lagbaja from the Album “Africano”
2007Saving SarahSarahFilm Director Lancelot Imasuen starring Jim Iyke, Desmond Elliot
2007Devil’s WorkshopNkechiFilm Director Willie Ajenge starring St Obi, Stephanie Okereke
2007Classical FraudCynthiaFilm Director Ifeanyi starring Dakore Egbuson, Alex Usifo, Florence Onuma, Clem Ohameze
2007Mortal ManMarianFilm Director Gloriana James Robert starring Mike Ezuruonye, Emeka Eniocha
2007Sounds of PovertyEneFilm Director Suuny Okwori starring Monalisa Chinda, Susan Peters
2007Super story ( Everything It Takes )JokeTV series. Film Director Andy Amenechi starring John Njamah, Kalu Ikeagwu, Paul Adams, Gloria Young, Gbenga Richards
2007Twist of FateVivianFilm Director Willie Ajenge starring Desmond Elliot, Mercy Johson, Moses Effret
2007A Night in the PhilippinesAmarachiFilm Director Zeb Ejiro starring Ibinabo Fiberesima, Desmond Elliot Mary Eboka
2007Buy Me a RoseRichFilm Director Ernest Obi starring Dakore Egbuson, Ramsey Nouah, Bukky Ajayi, Arinze Okonkwo
2007Titanic TussleMrs OwolabiFilm Director Andy Amenechi starring Kenneth Okonkwo, Mike Ezuruonye Nkiru Sylvanus
2008Rose of AfricaRichFilm Director Ernest Obi starring Mike Ezuruonye, Dakore Egbuson, Steph Nora Okere, Moses Armstrong, Ramsey Nouah
2008Italian DealLinaFilm Director Ernest Obi starring Yvonne Jegede, Mike Ezuruonye, Kalu Ikeagwu, Femi Branch
2008Ice ColdFilm Director Nnamdi Odunze starring Mike Okon, Alex Usifo, Femi Brainard, Vitalis Ndubisi
2008Divine PartnerDoctorFilm Director Yinka starring Oge Okoye, Tony Umez benedict Johnson
2008Final TussleMrs OwolabiFilm Director Andy Amenechi starring Desmond Elliot, Eurcharia Anunobi, Kenneth Okonkwo, Mike Ezuruonye
2009Empty CoffinLilianFilm Director Emeka Hills starring Zack Orji, Emeka Ike
2009Be YourselfFilm Director Emeka Nwabueze starring Amechi Munagor, Moses Effret
2009My Mum And ILilian WrightTV series. Film Director Greg Odutayo starring Gbenga Windapo, Taiwo Atigogo. *5 Golden Nymph Nominations at the 2010 Monte Carlo Television Festival. *10 Nominations at The 2010 Terracotta TV and Film Awards
2010Hot IslandLucyFilm Director Emeka Jonathan starring Emeka Ike, Monalisa chinda
2010Wise In-LawStellaFilm Director Ikechukwu Onyeka. starring Majid Michel, Charles Inojie, Ngozi Ezeonu, Hafiz Ayetoro
2010Private StormLisaFilm Director Lancelot Odua Imasuen starring Ramsey Nouah, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, John Duello
2013‘’Vagary’’XterFilm Director Ejiro Starring: Okey Uzoeshi
2013‘’This House Is Not For Sale’’EstherFilm for TV Director Pat Imobio Starring: Saheed Balogun.
2014‘’Hear Word’’Sister EstherStage Director Ifeoma Fafunwa Starring: Dakore Akande, Joke Silva, Ireti Doyle, Bimbo Akintola, Elvina Ibru, Omonor Shomolu
2014‘’Kin’’Film Director Pat Imobio Starring Saheed Balogun, Tina Mba
2015‘’Okoro: The Prince’’Queen IdiaFilm Director Charles Uwagbai Starring: Alex Usifo, Sam Loco Efe, Edosa Imasuen, Henry Legemah.
2015‘’Hear Word’’ Sister Esther, Women Rally, VVFStage Director Ifeoma Fafunwa Starring Kate Henshaw, Kemi Akindoju, Joke Silva, Bimbo Akintola, Elvina Ibru. * The play also went on tour in November for Ake Festival in Ogun state and in Lagos on Christmas day.
2015‘’Merciful’’MercyFilm Director Zeb Ejiro Starring Emmanuel Mensah
2016‘’Duplicity’’Zeinom Cameron-Cole Meinom Cameron-ColeTV Series Director George Kura Starring: Sadiq Daba, Ireti Doyle, Femi Branch, Anthony Monjaro, Uru Eke, Uti Nwachukwu, Funnybone Chibunna, Buchi Franklin, Aisha Shaba
2016‘’Hear Word’’ Sister Esther, VVF, Women Rally LeaderStage Director Ifeoma Fafunwa Starring: Joke Silva, Bimbo Akintola, Elvina Ibru, *Local Show; Abuja. *International Premier and tour; Harvard, Connecticut and Amsterdam.
2016‘’Wives on Strike’’Mama AminaFilm Director Omoni Oboli Starring: Omoni Oboli, Uche Jombo, Chioma Chukwuka, Julius Agwu, Kenneth Okonkwo
2016‘’This Thing Called Marriage’’IfeyinwaTV Series Director Blessing Effiom Egbe Starring: Femi Jacobs, Tana Adelana, Jennifer John.
2016‘’Okafor’s Law’’IfyFilm Director Omoni Oboli Starring: Omoni Oboli, Richard Mofe Damijo, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Toyin Aimakhu, Halima Abubakar, Mary Lazarus, Yvonne Jegede, Gabriel Afolayan, Ken Erics, Betty Irabo Tina Mba *City to city official selection at the Toronto International Film Festival
2017The WomenOmohFilm Director Blessing Effiom Egbe starring Kate Henshaw, Omoni Oboli, Katherine Obiang, Tony Monjaro
Christmas is ComingHenriFilm Director Ufuoma McDermott starring Deyemi Okanlawon, Chioma Chukwuka
Wives on Strike: The RevolutionMama AminaFilm Director Omoni Oboli starring Omoni Oboli, Uche Jombo, Chioma Chukwuka, Julius Agwu, Kenneth Okonkwo
2018EsoheEnoFilm Director Charles Uwagbai Starring: Jimmy Jean-Louis, Kyle Colton, Desmond Elliot
2018What Just HappenedProfessor OghoghoFilm Director Charles Uwagbai Starring: Toyin Abraham, Mike Ezuruonye, Segun Arinze
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