Osas Ighodaro
Osariemen Martha Elizabeth Ighodaro, better known as Osas Ighodaro, is a Nigerian-American actress, television host and philanthropist. She won the 2010 Miss Black USA Pageant and founded the Joyful Joy Foundation, a fundraising organization for malaria. Ighodaro emerged as the highest-grossing Nollywood actress of 2018 and was awarded Best Actress in a Drama consecutively at the 2022 and 2023 AMVCA for her roles in Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story and Man of God,
respectively.
Early life and background
Ighodaro was born on 26 October 1983 in Bronx, New York, United States, to Nigerian parents of Edo origin. She obtained her degree in Broadcast Journalism with dual minor degrees in Entrepreneurship and Theater from Pennsylvania State University. She further obtained her MA in Fine Arts from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and the founder of Imuetinyan Productions.Career
Ighodaro began her acting career in New York after graduating college. She started with performing in theatre plays and indie films. In 2012, she moved to Nigeria where she played acting roles in Nollywood films including Adanna in Tinsel.Since then, she has starred in Cadillac Records, The Smart Money Woman and Gbomo Gbomo Express. Following her performance in Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story and Man of God, she was awarded the Best Actress in a Drama' awards at the 2022 and 2023 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards respectively.
Ighodaro co-hosted The Headies 2022, The Headies 2023, 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and the family show Maltina Dance All.
Personal life
Ighodaro was married to Gbenro Ajibade in June 2015 and had their first child in 2016. They divorced shortly after.Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Company |
| 2017 | Fela & The Kalakuta Queens | Malaika | BAP Productions |
| 2017 | Wedding Blues | Joke | Lagos Theatre Festival |
| 2016 | Sarafina | Mary Masumbuko | AFRIFF |
| 2014 | For Colored Girls | Lady in Purple | Fly Time Productions |
| 2011 | Dolores | Dolores | Actors Studio Drama School |
| 2010 | Underground | Queen | Poetic Theatre Production |
| 2008 | Platanos Y Collard Greens | Malady | Between the Lines Productions |
| 2006 | Revenge of a King | Afi | NYC Fringe |
| 2005 | Joe Turner's Come and Gone | Martha Pentecost | August Wilson Play Festival |
| 2005 | The Colored Museum | Lawanda / Model | Citizen Bank Theatre |
| 2005 | Ladies Night at the Cotton Club | Josephine Baker | Loaves & Fish Repertory |
| 2003 | Shades of Black and Grey | Mia | PSU Union Theatre |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Event | Category | Work | Result | Ref |
| 2010 | Miss Black USA Pageant | Miss Black USA 2010 | Won | ||
| 2014 | ELOY Awards | Actress of the Year - TV | Tinsel | Won | |
| 2015 | Green October La Mode Magazine Awards | Humanitarian Award | Joyful Joy Foundation | Won | |
| 2015 | ELOY Awards | Brand Ambassador of the Year | Polo Avenue; Konga.com | Won | |
| 2015 | ELOY Awards | Actress of the Year - Film | The Department | ||
| 2016 | Golden Movie Awards | Golden Supporting Actress | 'Gbomo Gbomo Express | ||
| 2016 | 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Supporting Actress of The Year | 'Gbomo Gbomo Express | Won | |
| 2021 | Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Actress in a Lead Role | Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story | ||
| 2021 | Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Kiss in a Movie | Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story | ||
| 2021 | Her Network - Woman of the Year Awards | Woman of the Year in Entertainment | Won | ||
| 2022 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Actress in A Drama | Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story | Won | |
| 2022 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Man of God | ||
| 2023 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Actress In A Drama, Movie Or TV Series | Man of God | Won |