Chinonso Arubayi

Chinonso Arubayi
Born
Chinonso Ngozi Ijomah

Warri, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
CitizenshipNigeria
Alma materNnamdi Azikiwe University
Occupations
Years active2014–present
Known for
  • My Flatmates (TV series)
  • Lockdown
  • I am Nazzy
  • Rumour Has It (Season3)

Chinonso Arubayi is a Nigerian film and television actress, television presenter, film and television producer and model.[1] She is best known for her roles in My Flatmates, Rumour Has It and her film production debut, I Am Nazzy[2] alongside IK Ogbonna and Jidekene Achufusi. She is also known for her time hosting the Urban Kitchen Show.[3]

Early life

Chinonso Arubayi was born in Warri, a town in Delta state, in southern Nigeria. She grew in up in Lagos, and is of Igbo heritage, from Awka, in Anambra state, where she graduated with a degree in Mass communication from Nnamdi Azikiwe University.[4] While at the university, she was a presenter on the campus radio station.[5] In 2005, Arubayi won the Miss Teen Nigeria title.[6]

Career

Arubayi began her acting career as a day player on M-Net television series, The Johnsons in 2014.[6] She then began writing and producing for Consolidated Media Associates, owners of Soundcity, Trybe TV and Spice TV on the shows, On The Couch, Project Swan, You’ve Got Issues and a few others.[1]

In 2018, Arubayi enrolled in the School of Media studies, at the Pan Atlantic University, where she studied the Business of Film Making for film producers.[1] She had a big break in 2020, when she played a lead role in Mary Remmy Njoku's feature film production, Beyond Pardon.[7] She has since featured in several notable films and television series, including, Ndani TV's Rumour Has It,[8][9] My Flatmates, Crazy Grannies,[10] Lockdown, Loving Amanda,[11] Survivors[12] and others.

In 2018, she began hosting the Filmhouse TV Show[6] and was later unveiled as the host of the popular cooking show, Urban Kitchen, which she hosted for two seasons.[6][4][3]

In April 2022, Arubayi released her debut film production, I Am Nazzy.[13][14] The movie was directed by Kayode Peters and featured notable Nigerian actors including, Jimmy Odukoya, Denrele Edun and IK Ogbonna.[15]

Her performance, as the lead character on Africa Magic TV's original series, Sisi Eko received commendation from fans and critics.[16]

Personal life

Arubayi was married to Nigerian gospel singer Eric Arubayi in 2014 until his death in 2017.[17][18] They have a son together named Jayden.[19]

Awards and recognition

In August 2021, Arubayi received a nomination for Next-Rated Actress of the Year at the Africa Choice Awards, alongside other nominees from Ghana and South Africa.[20] In February 2023, she received the award for Distinguished Actress of the Year at the Nigerian Women Achievers Awards.[21]

Year Award Category Note Ref
2021 Africa Choice Awards Next-Rated Actress of the Year Nominated [20]
2023 Nigeria Women Achievers Awards Distinguished Actress of the Year Won [21]

Filmography

Feature films

  • I am Nazzy
  • Survivors
  • Lockdown
  • Crazy Grannies
  • Loving Amanda
  • Warmth in Despair
  • Zizani
  • Deathly Obsession
  • Oches Secret
  • Beyond Pardon
  • 3 Can Play
  • Clandestine Consequences
  • Mustapha (ROK Original film)
  • Friends Only
  • 3 Brides
  • Killing Eva
  • Fated to Love
  • Grim
  • All We Ever Wanted
  • The Real Us
  • Frozen Smile
  • 3 Brothers
  • A Lonely Star
  • Muntu
  • Denial
  • Gifted (ROK Original film)
  • Fantasy
  • It's Complicated
  • Keeping Daniella
  • Oh! No Santa
  • Love Struck
  • Staged
  • I Met a Girl

TV series

  • Dilemma
  • Sisi Eko[22]
  • Rumour Has it (NDANI TV Original series)
  • My Flatmates (Africa Magic Original series)
  • Manfriend (Africa Magic Original series)

References

  1. ^ a b c "Chinonso Arubayi is an actress media entrepreneur". BusinessDay Newspapers. 2022-04-02. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  2. ^ "Chinonso Arubayi makes bold debut with I am Nazzy". The Guardian Newspapers NG. 2022-03-19. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  3. ^ a b "Urban Kitchen Season 4 Premiers with Chinonso Arubayi as Hostess". ThisDay Newspapers. 2020-10-03. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  4. ^ a b "I've always been passionate about radio, television production - Arubayi". The NewTelegraph Newspaper. 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  5. ^ "Day 4 #MakeupByAshabeePortraitChallenge: Chinonso Arubayi". BellaNaija. 2018-11-04. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  6. ^ a b c d "Urban Kitchen show unveils Chinonso Arubayi as the new host". Mycookeryzone. 2018-05-15. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  7. ^ "Beyond Pardon". irokotv.com. 2020-05-15. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  8. ^ "Top Igbo Actresses breaking through in Nollywood". anaaedaonline.ng. 2021-08-04. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  9. ^ "Your First Look at Ndani TV's "Rumour Has It" Season 3 is Here!". BellaNaija. 2021-06-16. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  10. ^ "Nollywood Movie Alert- Comedian Princess, Shaffy Bello, Ngozi Nwosu, Emerge In Crazy Grannies". Independent. 2021-07-10. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  11. ^ "Loving Amanda- Blossom Chukwujekwu, Teniola Aladese, Chinonso Arubayi, Sunmbo Adeoye to feature in New Movie". Vanguard Newspaper. 2021-01-30. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  12. ^ "Kayode Peters' Survivors hits Nigerian cinemas today". sunnewsonline. 2022-07-02. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  13. ^ "Chinonso Arubayi's Debut Production Now in Cinemas". ThisDay Newspaper. 2022-04-08. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  14. ^ "BEHOLD NOLLYWOOD'S GAME CHANGING PRODUCERS". Allure Vanguard Newspaper. 2022-05-15. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  15. ^ "Chinonso Arubayi's I am Nazzy dwells on mental health". sunnewsonline. 2022-04-02. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  16. ^ "Chinonso Arubayi shines in Sisi Eko". The Nation Newspaper. 2023-03-10. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  17. ^ "Actress, Chinonso Arubayi, reveals how social expectation drove her into depression following her husband's death". Ynaija. 2020-12-22. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  18. ^ "I felt betrayed by God when my husband died, late gospel singer's widow". Punch Newspaper. 2019-01-02. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  19. ^ "Chinonso Arubayi Shares Stunning Pictures Of Herself And Son". Independent Newspaper. 2021-07-22. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  20. ^ a b "Chinonso Arubayi Receives Next Rated Actress Of The Year Nomination". Independent Newspaper. 2021-08-09. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  21. ^ a b "Chinonso Arubayi Wins Big At Nigeria Women Achievers Awards". Independent Newspaper. 2021-08-09. Archived from the original on 2023-03-16. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  22. ^ "Meet the Cast of Africa Magic's New Comedy Series 'Sisi Eko'". Nigerianscommunicatiosnweek. 2022-07-16. Archived from the original on 2022-07-15. Retrieved 2022-12-27.