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:

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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.

NINA AND IDRIS STRIKES A POSE

Nina Keita, an aspiring model from Ivory Coast, has a photo editorial in the April/May issue of "Uptown" magazine. Some of you may recognize her from that "Old Navy" commerical.

Photographed by Sergio Kurhajec, Nina modeled Spring's latest looks from Tibi, Giuseppe Zanotti, Gucci, Catherine Malandrino, Tracy Reese, and Calvin Klein.

Related links on Miss Nina Keita:

• Fashion Africa
  
• Cos We African Woman Are Doing & Doing It Well
  
• Make Fetch Happen

Should we call Nina a star in the making? She already landed a major marketing deal with one of the biggest retail chain in the country. What's next - Victoria's Secret? Gap? Macy's? Target? Exposure is exposure right?

My unashamed cloud 9 affair with Idris Elba went up several clouds when he dropped by "The Sauce" to promote his new thriler, "Prom Night" on "The Sauce". Co-starring Brittany Snow of "American Dreams" and "John Tucker Must Die" fame, the new film project from Idris opens nationwide on April 11. Check out the trailer below:

And in better-late-than-never news, Idris happens to be of African descent. I blame my late reporting on my argument on whether or not to claim him as a talented actor with a African name. I also blame this reporting on the drama that occurred when I claimed Nas, Ne-Yo, and Golden Brooks as Nigerians.

Mr. Elba has appeared in several notable films like "American Gangster" (Denzel was sooo wrong!), "This Christmas" (Do I need to rent this?), "Daddy's Little Girls" (he was soo good). He will have Beyonce Knowles-Carter as his leading lady in "Obsessed". Learn more about Idris in his own words...

Quick Facts about Mr. Elba via IMDB.COM:

• Idris took his daughter Isan to the premiere of his film, "Daddy's Little Girls"....
  
  
  
  
• He is an only child to a father from Sierra Leone and mother from Ghana.
  
  
• He appeared on the cover of Essence's "Hot Hollywood Men" issue way back in April 2004. (Cover shot by Kwaku Alston) And yes I had to pull out my copy of "Essence" and scan the snapshots for my FG2BH readers and lurkers...
  
  
  
  
  
  And of course I had type up a interesting quote from him for my FG2BH readers. In the "Essence" interview, Idris revealed his little secret.

  I have a foot fetish. I guess it's because you never see a woman's feet unless they're wrapped around your shoulders.

  Photographed with Idris are actors Delroy Lindo, Blair Underwood, Carl Lumbly, Michael Ealy, and Matthew St. Patrick.
  
  
• His birth name is Idrisa Elba.
  
  
• He is known for his role as Stringer Bell on the HBO series, "The Wire".
  
  
• He did a sexy photoshoot for "Vibe Vixen" magazine.
  
  
  
  
  
• He reguarly updates his myspace page.
  
  
• He's a DJ called IDRIS aka DJ Driis

Related links on Mr. Idris Elba:

• His MYSPACE Music page
  
• IMDB
  
• The Wire
  
• His official myspace spot

Thoughts on the West Africa talents Nina Keita and Idris Elba?

Off Topic: I stumbled into Aleesha Renee of BET fame and Charlie Murphy today filming a segment at a barbershop called "The Shop". Charlie is just as funny as his brother Eddie. I guess it's genetic.

Photos: uptown, wireimage, CL, Diego Fuga

EBBE BASSEY TO APPEAR ON HBO

In a recent e-mail received, I am delighted to share with FG2BH readers about Ebbe Bassey's current film project -wait for it- "African Booty Scratcher".

Here's the rundown according to HBO.COM:
A young woman must balance her West African traditions with American idealism when it comes to choosing a prom dress in this short film. Directed by Nikyatu Jusu.

Sierra Leonean Jusu started promoting this piece back in Spring 2007 and soon after was recognized at American Black Film Festival.

Just in case you miss the Monday February 4th premiere, HBO ON Demand has this film from Feb. 04, 2008 - Mar. 02, 2008.

"African Booty Scracther" has a myspace page filled with additonal screenings at Los Angeles and Atlanta.

In the meantime, here's the trailer:

Be sure to visit HBO.COM for the time.

Photo credit: Ebbe's Dream