Nigerian actors/actresses are the best and most popular on the continent when it comes to movies. These celebrities bring a realistic feeling when on set any given movie and they are the ones those aspiring to get into the industry look up to.
A close look at their social media pages should tell you that Nollywood celebrities are at the top of the list when it comes to popularity. In fact, if you are from any other country and you do not feature in Nigerian movies, you could be tagged as “local” by your countrymen.
Truthfully, Nigerians are in full control of even music making them the most powerful entertainment force in the whole of Africa. But we are narrowing down to Nigerian films and we have a rather interesting topic of discussion.
You must have noticed that some of these Nollywood celebs make a good match as on-screen couples. Their chemistry is so believable that you begin to ask yourself if they actually are into each other in real life.
Someone once confided in this blog by letting us know that there could be genuine feelings amongst these actors so they enjoy playing couple roles together. Mind you, this happens across the movie industries across the world.
We will give you a popular example, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga!
Did you not just feel what was going on between the duo in the 2018 movie, “A Star Is Born”? The world noticed the intense on-screen chemistry between them and it helped make the film the hit that it turned out to be amongst viewers.
Let us not forget Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney in the 1988 movie, “Out of Sight”. Also, in 1988, Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones left fans with mouth agape.
If you also love romantic movies, then surely you would have wept at how wonderful actors portray love in movies just like Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams did in the hit 2004 film, “The Notebook” or in the 1997 movie, “Titanic” starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio.
There’s not one of these movies that will not stir up your emotions and even move you to tears.
Do you know that there are Nollywood celebrities who also blend perfectly well on-screen? Although these Nigerian movies are not big budget like the Hollywood films mentioned above, they still do a great job in showing actors who make a good match in movies.
The natural chemistry between some of these actors sometimes leads to marriage. Let us give you some quick names.
i) Damilola Adegbite and her Ghanaian colleague (now divorced) acted together in “Tinsel.”
ii) Adesua Etomi reportedly fell in love with Bank W in 2016 when they started an intimate relationship. However, the movie, “The Wedding Party” saw them tie the knot.
iii) After starring together in “Dea dly Passion”, Zack Orji and Ngozi got married.
iv) Chacha Eke and Ausin Faani were on set the movie, “When the kings Decide” back in 2009. By June 2023, they got married and are blessed with beautiful children.
Anyway, let us now fast forward to the present. It is also important to note that we will not include those who are now married so as to have a fresh article.
Here Are 5 Nollywood Celebrities Who Make A Good Match In Movies
1. Frederick Leonard/Peggy Ovire/Lota Chukwu
PHOTO CREDIT – FREDERICK LEONARD/INSTAGRAM
Many cannot get enough of this two. They duo enjoy life on set together and are clearly comfortable with each other. That the Nollywood celebs hold each other in high esteem, is evident as they have done quite a number of movies together.
Meanwhile, Frederick and Peggy have starred together in movies like “Fool Me Once”, “My Love My Fate My Happiness”, “Grey”, “For better, For Trouble”, “Loving Ellen”, “Deep”, “A Lie Between” and a list of others.
In an interview years back, Peggy Ovire denied being in a love relationship with Frederick Leonard while claiming it was strictly business. The movie stars have been spotted together privately on a number of occasions.
In fact, Moyo Lawal recently hit the comment section of a post Peggy Ovire shared on her Instagram page showing her with Leonard. She made it very clear that her colleagues make a fine couple.
PHOTO CREDIT – LOTA CHUKWU/INSTAGRAM
Frederick Leonard also is in a similar position with Lota Chukwu. Many claim that they are in an intimate relationship because they always shoot movies together. However, could this simply be that these Nollywood celebs are simply good at their jobs?
2. Jerry Williams And Destiny Etiko
PHOTO CREDIT – DESTINY ETIKO/INSTAGRAM
Many people had initially thought that Zubby Michael and Destiny Etiko were not only on-screen lovers but in reality as well. The popular Nollywood actress had tongues wagging because she features a lot with her colleague who is well documented to have said that he is the richest actor in Africa.
However, his “Eze Ndi Ala” movie pushed fans into thinking the duo were secretly into each other. In fact, while promoting the movie on her page April 29th, 2021 the “Drama Doll” shared some on set loved up photos which sent their fans into overdrive.
PHOTO CREDIT – DESTINY ETIKO/INSTAGRAM
Despite all of the rumours, Jerry Williams and Destiny Etiko have this on-screen chemistry that begs the question, “Are this two Nollywood celebs dating?”
They feature a lot together in the movies and always appear to be in a relationship. Sometimes, it appears they look lovingly into each other’s eyes – a move which we are not too sure has anything to do with the script. If not, then what could be happening?
Even when they aren’t together as a couple and have to communicate on set, it always appears love is all around them.
Some of their movies together are “Secret of Love”, “Mr Wash”, “Save A Soul” and “No More Tears”.
ii) Destiny Etiko/Ray Emodi
PHOTO CREDIT – RAY EMODI/INSTAGRAM
In 2019, rumours started flying around that Destiny Etiko and Ray Emodi were dating. They knew the duo were great role interpreters but they felt their onscreen performance together had absolutely nothing to do with dating.
Things appeared way too natural to be just talent, according to the fans who got all excited at the thought of a blossoming relationship between the Nollywood celebs.
Both talented celebrities acted together in “Something Beautiful,” and “Accidentally In Love” and were brilliant together. They have both starred in other interesting flicks.
As it turned out, both were just professional movie stars just doing their jobs.
3. Funke Akindele And Falz
PHOTO CREDIT – JENIFA’S DIARY/INSTAGRAM
Many will be shocked seeing the TV series stars that make Jenifa’s Diary sitting pretty as our number three in this 2021 list of Nollywood celebrities who make a good match in movies. The duo have been the celebs with most chemistry for so many years.
In fact, many had thought they were dating but Funke Akindele denied it at the time. During an interview with Vanguard at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA 2016), the popular actress was quizzed but she denied anything was going on between herself and Falz and that they are in a professional working relationship.
4. Mo Bimpe (Oyebade Adebimpe) And Lateef Adedimeji
PHOTO CREDIT – MO BIMPE/INSTAGRAM
They have both succeeded in keeping their adoring fans guessing on whether they are in a dating relationship or it’s strictly professional. They make a good match not only in their movies but in real life.
On many occasions, their on set wedding photos have gone viral and left fans confused because of the efforts put into taking them. Also, a lot of money is spent so they begin to wonder if they are married.
They have such strong on screen presence together that many will be ready to conclude that they are married.
5. Sharon Ooja Egwurube And Timini Egbuson
PHOTO CREDIT – TIMINI EGBUSON/INSTAGRAM
We feel the need to add this Nollywood celebs to our list because they are young and have confused people with their dazzling on screen performances together.
Sharon Egwurube and Timini Egbuson were thought to be secret lovers and they kept tongues wagging the more as they hit events in each other’s company.
If you recall, the actress was Timini’s love interest in “Skinny Girl In Transit”. Their on screen chemistry was so good that it shook their fans.
Let us not forget when the duo hosts events together. There is total understanding between them as though they read each other’s thoughts.
Again, some photos they take together only speaks romance between Sharon Ooja Egwurube and Timini Egbuson.
Mind you, there are still many more who have such great on screen chemistry but as we stated earlier, we feel the need to keep this article fresh by limiting the number of actors/actresses on this list.
Also, remember that some of these thespians are professionals who are just doing their jobs. They set out in the first place to bring a realistic feeling “make-believe” in an entertaining way. That is why some Nollywood celebs get paid a lot of money.
That is not to say that people do not secretly admire and fall for their co-stars after acting with them. In fact, in some cases, they even go right ahead and get married after shooting movies together.
Of those we mentioned, who do you think has the strongest on screen chemistry?
Now, you can also contribute by letting us know those Nollywood stars who are not on the list that make a good match in movies.
