Bio
stephanie linus
background
Stephanie Linus, formerly known as Stephanie Okereke, is a multi-award-winning Actress, film director and model who has received much recognition and praise for her impressive performances. She is widely considered in the Nigerian entertainment industry as a leading actor and model who has demonstrated that she can handle challenging starring roles and give solid performances.
Stephanie's dramatic success and international visibility as a result of her entertainment career led to breakthrough roles in some of Nigeria's most prestigious productions. In recent years, she has portrayed critical roles in Nigeria's enormous commercially successful and critically acclaimed productions. These powerful portrayals of complex characters have caught the attention of the elite casting directors of Hollywood, and she is presently in heavy demand, both for films and television. As detailed below, Ms Linus's success in smash-hit productions has garnered her extensive media attention and critical acclaim.
Stephanie is a Nigerian-born superstar with an infectious personality. From an early age, Stephanie showed an unrelenting interest in drama, which earned her the position of the president of the Literary and debating society. At the same time, she had her secondary education at St Bridges Secondary School, Asaba, Delta state. It was while at St Bridges that her interest in acting heightened.
nominations
awards
movie roles
Stephanie Linus with The Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II.
Ms Linus sprung onto the “Nollywood” scene in 1997. Her debut was marked with “Compromise II” and then in “Waterloo” by Teco Benson. Over the years, the Imo State-born actress has become one of Nigeria’s foremost actresses, having featured in over a hundred movies.
Stephanie got her big break in 2003 in the movie Emotional Crack, which earned her two awards (out of eight nominations) at the Reel Awards for Best Actress, English and Actress of The Year. The following year, Emotional Crack premiered at the African Film Festival in the United States.
This opened the door to many opportunities for Stephanie. As a result, Hollywood came calling in 2005, and the beautiful Actress auditioned for a role in The Good Shepherd, which featured Robert DeNiro. Still, an unfortunate car accident on her way to the AMAA awards in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, hindered her chances of appearing in the film.
With Over 90 films to her name, Stephanie Okereke is continually building her brand in the movie industry. Her acting career spanned hundreds of award-winning movies, including Nnenda, Emotion Crack, Days of Bondage, Enslaved, Before They Vow, Sensational Spy, More than a Woman, Last Girl Standing, Together As One, Virgin’s Night Out, Eye of the Gods, Street Fame, and Efficacy.
Stephanie has expanded her title to include Director, producer and writer with the introduction of her movie: Through the Glass, which premiered on October 18th
Stephanie has received several awards and nominations for her work as an actress, including the 2003 Reel Award for Best Actress, the 2006 Afro Hollywood Award for Best Actress, and three nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2005, 2009 and 2010. She was also the runner-up in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria beauty pageant of 2002.
In April 2009, Stephanie was honoured with a Jewel Award at the 6th Annual African Goodwill Awards for her positive representation of African women through her charity work and evolving movie career. Celebrities like legendary singer Chaka Khan, Actor Isaiah Washington, Comedian & Actress M’onique, and Iconic soloist Hope Foye attended the event.
Stephanie has also worked with the most distinguished Director/Producer, like Teco Benson, Izu Ojukwu, Lancelot Imasuen, Emem Isong Tarila Thompson, and many more.
In Nollywood, the 3rd largest film industry in the world, Stephanie Okereke is a talented and award-winning Actress, and also generally acclaimed as one of the best actresses on the African continent and has contributed tremendously to the development of the Nigerian film industry.
Stephanie Okereke is not only an Actress/Model but also an ambassador; she is the CEO of Next Page Productions, which is a film production company that caters to international and local audiences, and also has her Charity Organization called” The Extended Hands Foundation which is involved in creating awareness for women with VVF (Vesico Vaginal Fistula) which she has been very vocal about, helping to create more awareness.
In 2006 she was invited as a special guest by Mercy ship organization for the opening of the Aberdeen Fistula centre in Sierra Leone; she was also invited by the United Nations (UN) in Liberia to campaign against RAPE and give Hope to the people of Liberia, she is also a celebrity ambassador for the Nigerian Red Cross, with a current project of building clinics for free medical care for the poor. This shows that Stephanie Okereke is not just a Nigerian Star but for Africa and beyond, where she is highly respected and recognized. Stephanie Okereke’s high profile is now a high demand for international audiences.
Stephanie has recently received a national honour from the president of Nigeria, which is called, MFR- Member of the federal republic.
In 2010, Stephanie was one of seven actresses chosen from across the globe, including Meryl Streep, Marcia Gay Harden, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Archie Panjabi, Julyana Soelistyo and Lauren Vélez to act in a play titled ‘Seven’ as part of the “Women in the World: Stories and Solutions” event.
Stephanie’s extensive achievements and her recognition by highly regarded individuals in the industry, Stephanie is an influential and powerful creative force,
Stephanie played lead roles in the following productions for distinguished organizations, shown on the stages of the U.S. and Nigeria’s finest theatres, exhibited in movie theatres, and broadcast to millions on major national and international television stations. Stephanie, without a doubt, is one of the most famous superstars in
Stephanie Linus with the Crown Princess of Denmark, Mary Elizabeth at the at the 72nd United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Stephanie Linus with the Vice President of Gambia Isatou Njie-Saidy at the African Youth Summit Banjul Plus 10.
Stephanie Linus with Canadian First Lady Sophie Grégoire Trudeau at the the ‘#NotTheCost Conference in New York.
Stephanie with the President of India at the GES Event 2017.
