CHIWETEL EJIOFOR POSES FOR KING MAG

Chiwetel Ejifor (one of FG2BH's favorite Brit imports) has a 7-page pictorial in the June issue of "King" magazine. Chiwetel discuss with "KING" about being a style icon. "I clean up very well," says Ejiofor. "Whenever I get styled, there's this unnatural sheen that never fails to surprise me".

Photo: Sarah McColgan for KING

"Some actors are overly concerned with fashion," says Ejiofor, who's currently headlining "Redbelt", a mixed martial arts-centered mortality tale. "Not me. It's acting first and style a distant fourth or fifth."

The film roles Chiwetel associated with has certainly got the attention of Hollywood, right? All he needs is the right film to get that beloved Oscar nomination!

Check out the trailer for Chiwetel's latest film, "Redbelt" AND the interview he did with "ReelTimeTube" below:

---
Onto the other notable Naijas/Africans in the media...

Estelle has made signficant headlines since that whole Duffy debacle. The record executives over her record label Atlantic Records apparently forced Estelle to change her boyish hairstyle and her characteristic teeth.

Sandra Rose has proof (see photo above) that Estelle caved into the pressure. Image in the music industry apparently equals into album sales for FEMALES....but not so much for MALES (**coughs**Fat Joe).

Let's just hope Estelle doesn't change her fly hair style or her eccentric style.

Photo credit: MOVIES.YAHOO.COM/SCREEN GEMS

Idris Elba's film "Prom Night" landed at the number one spot in its opening week. Congrats to Idris Elba (my Ghana brother from another)!

Idris dropped by the "Tyra Show" on Thursday April 17th to promote his film, "Prom Night". Tyra sure has a way of bringing out the fun side of any person she interviews.

uploaded by The Movie Report

You can expect much more from Idris on the big screen in the coming year. Elba has five feature films that you read up about over at IMDB.COM.

Comedian Godfrey added this new "GQ"-inspired photo shoot onto his official myspace page. If you checked out Godfrey's myspace spot, you'll notice he showcase his favorite running presidential candidate.

Photos: Wendy Le Photography

Rants/thoughts:
When Nigerians throw a party, we come in large numbers. When Nigerians throw a party with a theme, something unexpected occurs. Some follow the theme and others simply didn't get the memo. A popular theme is the everyone-wear-your-traditional-attire. Why is that a select few just doesn't want to cooperate?! Lastly why do they (the ones who didn't get the memo) get offend when question about the whereabouts of their outfit??! Things that make me go hmmm....
disclaimer: rants are all in good fun!

Hoopla from the Naija blogosphere:

• If you need your relationship problems answered, then you'll need to visit tankojjetty's blog, 18 AND ABOVE!
  
• Find out why Common appreciates Nigeria over at Ladybrille.
  Bella Naija has the scoop on the SMVA 2008.
  
• Do you find the rants I posted up funny? Well be entertained by La Reine's blog, The Rantings of A Young Bee.
  
• Sharpen your inner fashion skills over at Mimi's blogspot, Boutique Mix Fashion.
  
• Get to know African male eye candy model Kwame from Ghana over at YAYE MARIE.

BLOGS ARE TALKING ABOUT...

Make Fetch Happen reported that fashion designer Duro Olowo married Studio Museum of Harlem curator Thelma Golden! And I took the liberty of scanning the Vogue March 2008 article for FG2BH readers....

The couple eloped in New York City and they are going to celebrate in London (where Olowu is based), and his hometown Lagos, Nigeria.

Thelma on marrying Duro on January 2nd: "I always imagined I would spend ages planning my wedding, yet this felt perfect."

Thelma on choosing the dress: "Duro made it for me a year ago. It was just the most obvious and natural thing to wear."

And in related news, Duro currently revealed his Fall 2008 collection at L'Oreal Fashion Week in London. His collection is all around prints, vibrant colors and tons of chiffon! Check out his entire collection here.

VIBE magazine finally acknowledged the staying power of Nollywood. As the article stated, Nigeria is home to the world's fastest-growing film industry. VIBE credited 1992's "Living In Bondage" as the catalyst behind the blooming Nollywood industry.

[naijarules.com even got a well-deserved shout-out from the urban publication!]

Here's the quote written out by Hubscrown of NAIJARULES.COM:

Nigeria is home to the world's fastest growing film industry. Practically non-existence a decade ago. Nollywood now ranks third globally in terms of output, behind Bollywood and Hollywood. But while movies are multi million-dollar business in Nigeria, the industry is built on D.I.Y. aesthetics and economics. Video is standard format (Nigerians actually call local movies "home videos") and shoots typically wrap in matter of days. Most films fall into the category of exploitation cinema - 1992's Living in Bondage is credited with pioneering movement- combing Hollywood-derived action and thriller plots with sensationalized, locally specific elements like witchcraft and black magic.
Nollywood movies have yet to register at international festivals, but these slap clash camcorder blockbusters, hugely popular at home, have sparked similar movements in neighboring Ghana and Cameroon. CHECK OUT: naijarules.com

"American Idol" finally has a Nigerian-American contestant Chikezie on its popular reality series. It took seven seasons to have a Naija in the top 12! [Learn more about Chikezie here.] Thanks to Us Weekly, Chikezie has been compared to Donny Hathaway. (See the scan above). Check him out singing "She's A Woman" during The Beatles tribute....

[video spotted @ Naija Gal.]

Thandie Newton and Chiwetel Ejiofor were seen making the rounds on the red carpet recently. Thandie attended the New York premiere of "Run, Fat Boy, Run" whereas the equally talented Chiwetel flaunted his Best Actor award at The Laurence Olivier Awards. [Chiwetel won for his leading role in "Othello"!] Because of this man's fineness, I had to add this smiling picture of him with Taraji P Henson at 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival - "Talk To Me" Screening.

And that's what African/Naija blogs are talking about....

Photos: WIREIMAGE/AMERICANIDOL.COM/USMAGAZINE.COM/MY SCANNER/VIBE.COM/NAIJARULES.COM

CHIWETEL EJIOFOR IS ONE OF PEOPLE'S SEXIEST MAN ALIVE

Golden Globes-nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, who you can catch in "American Gangster" is voted as People magazine's "Sexiest Import" on their annual "Sexiest Man Alive" issue.

Here's the article that I type out for Feels Good 2 B Home readers:

Sexiest Import
CHIWETEL EJIOFOR
AGE: 30
SEE HIM IN: Ridley Scott's "American Gangster"
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The London-born actor has appeared in films such as "Amistad", "Love Actually" and "Children of Men". And though pronouncing his name may be a challenge (it's Chu-wet-el Edg-e-o-for), his sex appeal is easily defined.

1. Confidence "Knowing yourself, taking care of yoursel and liking yourself is sexy. It tkaes work to really feel at peace with yourself, but when you do, you shine more."

2. Quirkness "People used to tell me I have a slight bounce when I walk, which some people used to find comic. I just sort of bounce into the next moment!"

3. Sweetness "I'm totally into chocolate brownies at the moment. It's completely out of control. At some point, it's got to stop. There's going to be some intervention going on."

Congrats to Chiwetel! First Entertainment Weekly is recognizing his hard work and now PEOPLE. It wouldn't be long until Chiwetel gets a magazine cover.

I have to say that I like the fact he broke down the correct pronounction of his name in the interview. If you haven't already seen "American Gangster", do go see the film as it's an excellent drama.

Do you agree with "People" magazine's decision to make Chiwetel their "Sexiest Import"?

[feels good 2 b home]

CHIWETEL IN AMERICAN GANGSTER

2006 Golden Globes-nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor is teaming up with "Inside Man" co-star Denzel Washington in the upcoming drama film, "American Gangster".

[images via american gangster.net]

In the November 2nd-release, Chiwetel portrays the character Huey Lucas. Chiwetel's influential co-stars are rapper Common, actress Paula Patton (that's Mrs. Robin Thicke to you), Oscar winner Cuba Gooding, Jr., T.I, and Ruby Dee.

"American Gangster" has been hype as the next coming of Denzel's "Training Day"--the movie that got him the Academy Award for best actor. Hype around this film moved hip-hop mogul Jay-Z to create music based off the storyline.

Check out the trailer:

For additional information on "American Gangster", visit its official site here.

[feels good 2 b home]

CHIWETEL'S #14 ON THE EW 100

UK/Naija actor Chiwetel Ejiofor made it onto EW 100 must-have list of movie stars that "EW" is loving right now. FG2BH applauds Chiwetel 's acting career thus far. Chiwetel, who's currently single and yes that girl in the photos with him is his sister, can be seen next in two films,"American Gangster" co-starring Denzel Washington, T.I., Common, and Russell Crowe AND "Talk to Me" co-starring Don Cheadle, Taraji P. Henson, Mike Epps, and Cedric The Entertainer. I enjoyed Chiwetel breaking down the correct pronunciation of his name. We, Naijas and Africans, run into the same dilemma which can be bothersome on the first day of work and school! Fortunately in my experience, my name tends to be the ice breaker on that first day.

Chiwetel Ejiofor
The Berth of Cool

WHY HIM Because he's ''that guy.'' You know: that supercool but not yet superfamous actor who pops up in one great movie after another. In the case of U.K.-born Ejiofor, the résumé includes parts in Inside Man, Love Actually, Dirty Pretty Things, and Kinky Boots — and playing the heavies in Serenity and Children of Men. ''People don't connect the dots and realize they've seen more of me than they think.''

LOST IN PRONUNCIATION ''People tend to pick it up,'' he says of his rather intimidating name (it's CHOO-it-tell edge-EE-oh-for). ''You've just got to commit to it.''

PAST PARTICIPANT This year, Ejiofor will appear in two politically charged flicks about the '60s and '70s: Talk to Me, starring Don Cheadle, and American Gangster, with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. ''These are films set in an era that's slightly before my time but have a profound influence on the way we live today. Plus, the music was so great and the clothes were extraordinary.''

SECRET TALENT ''My pesto pasta is the stuff of legend and my salmon steaks are to die for.''
[SOURCE: EW.COM]
Top 20 on the most-read entertainment magazine in the U.S is not bad at all. Would Chiwetel see a long career just like his African peers in Hollywood like Djimon Hounsou, perhaps? FG2BH thinks Chiwetel can!
[feels good 2 b home]

CHIWETEL'S LATEST FILM

Chiwetel Ejiofor's latest film is "Talk to Me" which co-stars Taraji Henson, Mike Epps, Don Cheadle, and Cedric The Entertainer.

Recent BET Awards Humanitarian winner Don Cheadle and Chiwetel Ejiofor in a scene from "Talk to Me."

jacked from Concrete Loop:

The 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival had a special screening of the new Don
Cheadle flick, ‘Talk To Me’ which co-stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Taraji Henson, and Cedric The Entertainer.

The movie is follows the life of African American ex-convict Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene Jr, who became a radio and television talk show success, but couldn’t overcome his alcohol addiction. It will be hitting theaters in limited release on July 13th, 2007.

Talk to Me Poster:

click on the poster to learn more about the film! all images c/o IMDB.

[feels good 2 b home]

Movie worth renting: Inside Man

Movie worth renting: Inside Man

PREMISE: A cop has to talk down a bank robber after the criminal's perfect heist spirals into a hostage situation.

CAST: Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Willem Dafoe, Christopher Plummer, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Peter Gerety, Peter Frechette, Jason Manuel Olazabal, Darryl 'Chill" Mitchell, Ashlie Atkinson

DIRECTOR: Spike Lee!

Val Sinckler interviews Chiwetel Ejiofor

[pic taken at 2006 Sundance Film Festival for his movie, 'Kinky Boots.']
Val Sinckler talks with actor Chiwetel Ejiofor about his roles in films such as "Kinky Boots", "Dirty Pretty Things" and "Love Actually."

Chiwetel in 'Inside Man' movie still

Ejiofor in 'Four Brothers' movie still

Enjoy funny commentary in a typical Naija style? Then show some love to my new blog roll friend, Naija Vixen. Click on the image to access the sassy blog.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sophie Okonedo, and Djimon Hounsou at the 64th Annual Golden Globes Awards

Chiwetel Ejiofor at the 64th annual Golden Globes Awards with his female friend. (Feels Good 2 B Home wishes Chiwetel congrats on getting a Golden Globe nomination!)


Actress Sophie Okonedo is nominated for Best Actress in a Television Mini-series or Motion Picture for her role in 'Tsunami, The Aftermath.' (Unfortunately Sophie lost but it wouldn't be too long until she gets both a Golden Globe and an Oscar. The Oscars gave her a best supporting actress nomination for her role in "Hotel Rwanda.")

At your right is Sophie Okonedo at the HBO party following the 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou at In Style and Warner Bros. 2007 Golden Globe After Party.

Out & About: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Sophie Okonedo, and Chiwetel Ejiofor

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Sophie Okonedo, and Chiwetel Ejiofor at the BAFTA/LA Awards Season Tea Party in Four Season Beverly Hills.

Adewale Akinuoye-Agbaje is known for his roles on TV's "Oz" and "Lost." Get to know Adewale more:

'Akinnuoye-Agbaje's parents are from Nigeria, but moved to London, England, where he was born. He has four sisters and is fluent in several languages, including English, Italian, Yorùbá (the language of his parents' ethnic group), and Swahili. He holds a Master of Laws from Kings College, the University of London, and is a practising Buddhist. The meaning of his name is broken down thus: Ade- the crown, wale- has come home, Akin- warrior, nuoye- of chieftaincy, Agbaje prosperity and wealth.' {source}

Critically-acclaimed actress Sophie Okonedo:

Sophie Okonedo is also nominated for a Golden Globe for a Lead Actress in a Miniseries for her work in Tsunami: The Aftermath. {Get know Sophie Okonedo}

Chiwetel Ejiofor, a BAFTA nominee with his sister.

Out & About: Chiwetel Ejiofor

Chiwetel Ejiofor at Access Hollywood "Stuff You Must..." Lounge. (Ladies I don't know if that's his girl!)

Some quick facts about Chiwetel:

• Ejiofor was born to Nigerian émigrés in Forest Gate, East London—his dad was a doctor, his mom a pharmacist.
• Chiwetel appeared in the films, "Four Brothers" (Tyrese and Andre300 as co-stars), Steven Speilberg directed "Amistad", Spike Lee directed "She Hate Me."
• He has been nominated for Kinky Boots at the 2007 golden globe awards for Best Performance by and Actor in a leading role (musical or comedy).

Chiwetel Ejiofor at HBO Luxury Lounge - L’Oreal Paris Beauty Suite which was held at Four Seasons Beverly Hills on January 14, 2007.