Yvonne Cherrie

Yvonne Cherrie
Born
Cherrie Y. K. Salehe

(1981-08-19) August 19, 1981 (age 43)
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Other namesMonalisa
Alma mater
Occupations
Years active1998-present
SpouseGeorge Tyson Akinyi (2001-2005)
Children
  • Sonia Akinyi (2001)
  • Sean Abdulwahid Jr. (2007)
  • Kenzo Tyron (2016)
Parent
  • Suzan Lewis (Natasha)
Websiteinstagram.com/monalisatz

Yvonne Cherrie (also known as Monalisa, born August 19, 1981) is a Tanzanian actress.[1][2] In 2010 she won Zanzibar International Film Festival for the 'Best Actress' award.[3] She was also nominated for 2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Pan African Actress Of The Year.[4] She is cited as one of the best actresses and pioneers in the movie industry of Tanzania.[2] She is also the founder of Act With Monalisa foundation which focus on to mentor and support young Tanzanian women with acting career guidance and a platform to showcase their talents[5] and Director of African Women Arts and Film Festival (AWAFFEST).[5]

Early life and education

Cherrie was born on August 19, 1981, at Muhimbili, the national hospital of Tanzania. Her mother, Suzan Lewis, is also an actress.

She had her early education at Luanda, Angola where her father was working; she later returned to Tanzania and started her primary education at Muungano Primary School in Temeke, Dar Es Salaam and she had secondary education at Zanaki Girls High School before heading to Tanzania Public Service College where she studied secretarial studies.

In 2002 she joined British Council Tanzania for Pre Advance level to study English language course, and after that she joined Wilnag Media Training College in Nairobi where she graduated with a diploma in mass communication.[2]

Career

She got her nickname “Monalisa” from her 1998 performance as a young lady, struggling to reconcile her life with her multiple lovers, in the series Mambo Hayo.[1] In 2002 Monalisa made her first feature film debut in the film called Girlfriend where she played as Tumpale a TID'S girlfriend Tumpale who is forced to turn her life around after being kicked out by her dad . She then played roles in many movies, such as Sabrina (2003), Dilemma (2004), She Is My Sister (2006), Kwa Heshima Ya Penzi, Binti Nusa and Network. One of her notable performances is from Black Sunday that earned her the 'Best Actress' award for the 2010 Zanzibar International Film Festival[6] and nomination for Pan African Actress of The year 2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[4]

Filmography

TV series

Year Name Role Note
1998 Mambo Hayo Monalisa Television: Independent Television Tanzania (ITV).

Cast:Jacob Steven(Jb), Single Mtambalike (Richie), Bishanga, Waridi and Cathy

2013-2015 Siri Ya Mtungi Lulu Produced by Media for Development International.

Television: East Africa Television (EATV) and TV 1

2014-2015 Tanzania Movie Talents Judge Acting Competition aired on ITV
2021 Sinia Rosemary Venus Aired on Maisha Magic Bongo (Dstv Channel)

Stage Plays

Year Name Note
2000-2001 The Government Inspector Bagamoyo Arts and Culture Festival
2002 Zawadi Ya Ushindi Zanzibar International Film Festival
2003 The Song Of Lawino Little Theatre (Tanzania)
Don't Dress For Dinner Russian Cultural Centre (Tanzania)
Kiu Kenya National Theatre
A Man of the people

Film

Year Name Role Note
2002 Girlfriend Tumpale Cast: TID, AY, Crazy Gk and Nina
2003 Sabrina Sabrina
2004 Dilemma
2006 She Is My Sister Rose With Steven Kanumba Mercy Johnson, Nkiru Sylvanus.
2007 Kwa Heshima Ya Penzi Miranda With Jacob Steven and Single Mtambalike
Chanzo Ni Mama Cast :Deogratiua Shija, Suzan Lewis
2008 Binti Nusa part 1 Malaika With Suzan Lewis, Hashimu Kambi
Kaburi Moja with Hemedi Suleiman
Behind The Scenes Carey With Vincent Kigosi, Blandina Chagula, Suzan Lewis
2009 Jeraha La Ndoa Rehema With Haji Adam, Bakari Makuka
Wrong Number With Riyama Ally, Hemedi Suleiman, Gadner Habash
Cellular With Thea, Sajuki
2010 Binti Nusa 2& 3 Malaika with Suzan Lewis, Elizabeth Chijumba, Hashim Kambi
Black Sunday Sharon with Steven Kanumba, Aunty Ezekiel, Yusuph Mlela
Payback Rebecca With Steven Kanumba and Yusuph Mlela
Maza House With Suzan Lewis, Deogratius Shida
2011 38 Weeks[7] With Haji Salum (Mboto)
Pastor Myamba, The trial[8] Sarah With Emmanuel Myamba.
2012 Tell Me The Truth[9]
Chai Moto[10] Jeniffer Mgendi, Mussa Banzi, Christina Matai & Juma Mtima
Uyoga[11] With Single Mtambalike
Ujinga Wangu[12] Ritha With Hemedi Suleiman and Haji Salum (Mboto)
2013 Dakika Ya Mwisho[13] With Niva
Five Girls[14] With Grace Mapunda and Hashimu Kambi.
In Between[15] With Suzan Lewis, Haji Salum (Mboto)
Sistahili Kusamehewa With Patcho Mwamba, Alex Wasponga, Suleiman Barafu, Mohamed Fungafunga
Mwisho Wa Siku[16] With Lucy Komba, Victor Mwikala, Jennifer Kakolaki
Hidden Treasure[17] With Bad Boy, Mohammed Yondo
Daladala[18] Casts: Suleiman Barafu, Amri Athuman (King Majuto)
2014 Damian[19] Monalisa Casts: Hashim Kambi (Dr.ambi), Jemedari Gwatwambilileghe (Damian)
Bana Congo[20] With Haji Salum (Mboto)
Network[21] Detective Elizabeth With Brian Ibrick, Simon Mwakafamba, Shikunzi Haonga, Charles Rom
2015 Umuhimu Wako With Rose Ndauka, Suzan Lewis, Raheem
2016 Daddy's Wedding Mary With Sandra Temu, Banana Zoro, Raheem
2019 Leo Cat With Ally Juma Ally, Single Mtambalike

Awards and nominations

Year Event Prize Recipient Result
2008 Kiu Media Awards Queen Of Bongo Movies Herself Won[22]
2010 Zanzibar International Film Festival Best Actress Black Sunday Won[3]
Filamu Central Best Of 2010 Best Actress Binti Nusa Won[23]
2011 2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Pan African Actress Of The Year Black Sunday Nominated[24]
2015 Tanzania Film Awards Best Actress In A Leading Role Daddy's Wedding Nominated[25]
Tribute Award(Media) Filamonata (With Suzan Lewis) Nominated
2018 The African Prestigious Awards (Ghana) Best Female Movie Star Herself Won[26]

References

  1. ^ a b "Yvonne Cherryl - Actor, Director,—Bongo Movies - Buy Tanzania Movies and DVDs Online". www.bongocinema.com.
  2. ^ a b c Base, Bongo Film Data (2 January 2012). "BONGO FILM DATA BASE: UJUE VILIVYO WASIFU WA YVONNE CHERRYL / MONA LISA (BIOGRAPH)".
  3. ^ a b "THE ZANZIBAR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS".
  4. ^ a b "Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2011 nominees « tooXclusive". 26 May 2011.
  5. ^ a b Director, Kelechi Eke, Executive. "THE AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL (TAFF) - Bridging Cultures Through Film". The African Film Festival. Retrieved 2019-08-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ "ZIFF AWARDS..."
  7. ^ "38 Weeks — Bongo Movie - Tanzania". www.bongocinema.com.
  8. ^ "Pastor Myamba, the Trial — Bongo Movie - Tanzania". www.bongocinema.com.
  9. ^ "Tell Me the Truth — Bongo Movie - Tanzania". www.bongocinema.com.
  10. ^ "Chai Moto — Bongo Movie - Tanzania". www.bongocinema.com.
  11. ^ "Uyoga — Bongo Movie - Tanzania". www.bongocinema.com.
  12. ^ "Ujinga Wangu — Bongo Movie - Tanzania". www.bongocinema.com.
  13. ^ "Dakika ya Mwisho — Bongo Movie - Tanzania". www.bongocinema.com.
  14. ^ "Five Girls — Bongo Movie - Tanzania". www.bongocinema.com.
  15. ^ "In Between — Bongo Movie - Tanzania". www.bongocinema.com.
  16. ^ "Mwisho wa Siku — Bongo Movie - Tanzania". www.bongocinema.com.
  17. ^ "Hidden Treasure — Bongo Movie - Tanzania". www.bongocinema.com.
  18. ^ "Daladala — Bongo Movie - Tanzania". www.bongocinema.com.
  19. ^ "Damian — Bongo Movie - Tanzania". www.bongocinema.com.
  20. ^ "Bana Congo — Bongo Movie - Tanzania". www.bongocinema.com.
  21. ^ "Network — Bongo Movie - Tanzania". www.bongocinema.com.
  22. ^ "Yvonne Cherryl - Actor, Director, — Bongo Movies - Buy Tanzania Movies and DVDs Online". www.bongocinema.com.
  23. ^ Monalisa (16 January 2011). "MONALISA AND THE TANZANIA FILM INDUSTRY: AHSANTE FILAMU CENTRAL".
  24. ^ "Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2011 nominees - TooXclusive". 26 May 2011.
  25. ^ Saleem, Trim (2 April 2015). "SWP: Full List of Nominees Tanzania Film Awards 2015, Dogo Maasai, Mdundiko, We Are Four Lead Nominations".
  26. ^ "Female Movie Star - African Prestigious Awards".[permanent dead link‍]