Actress Monalisa Chinda fumes at organic cream vendors approaching her for ads
By Joe Udo
LAGOS (CONVERSEER) – Veteran Nollywood actress, Monalisa Chinda, has taken a jibe at organic cream vendors who approach her for advertisements (ads).
In a social media post over the weekend, the actress said she is not a fan of bleaching cream.
According to Chinda, “I want to make it clear, I have never and will never bleach my skin.
” My family has a history of very light skin and this is naturally who I am. I’m not half caste, I’m from Ikwerre in Rivers State.
“Organic bleaching cream vendors, please leave my DM, I can’t model for skin lightening brands because that would be a lie.
“My colour is natural.”
About Monalisa Chinda
Born on 13 September 1974 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Monalisa Chinda is the firstborn in a family of six (two sons and four daughters) of Ikwerre and Igbo descent. She attended Army Children’s School, GRA, and Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls’ School before earning a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt.
Rise to Stardom
- Acting debut: 1996, with her first major feature in Pregnant Virgin. After graduating in 2000, she appeared in Above the Law and then steadily built her status with subsequent roles in popular Nollywood productions.
- Breakthrough: The TV soap Heaven’s Gate (2007) raised her profile significantly.
Career Highlights
Film & Television
Over a two-decade career, she has featured in over 80–100 films, spanning various genres:
- Notable works: Sting 2, Royal Grandmother, Critical Truth, Games Men Play, Weekend Getaway, Torn, Lagos Cougars, Crazy People and The Bling Lagosians.
- As producer/executive: co-produced Kiss & Tell (2011) and Weekend Getaway (2012) with Royal Arts Academy and Emem Isong.
Media & Publishing
- Talk show host: In 2014 she launched You & I with Monalisa, a weekly Africentric program on AIT and Africa Magic, blending scripted drama with guest conversations on social issues.
- Columnist: She writes “Monalisa Code”, a weekly social and relationship column for The Sun Newspapers.
- Magazine publisher: Launched “Monalisa” – a fashion, lifestyle and beauty magazine in Lagos and Ghana in 2013.
Philanthropy & Advocacy
Monalisa is the founder of Arise Monalisa Foundation (AMF), dedicated to empowering underprivileged youth, widows, women in prison, and orphans through health awareness, creative mentorship and outreach programs across Africa. In 2023, the foundation urged women to take strategic roles in leadership and politics during an event tagged Equity vs Equality.
Endorsements & Honors
- Awards: Best Actress at the Afro‑Hollywood Awards (2009) at the Monte Carlo Television Festival.
- Titles: Face of Port Harcourt Carnival Queen (2011).
- Brand ambassador: Major campaigns with Globacom (Glo), Vita500, Beauty Secret Skin Care, and affiliations with the United Nations and Centenary celebrations.
Personal Life
- Family: Monalisa shares a daughter, Tamar Lily, from her first marriage; she later wed Victor Tonye Coker in 2016—her childhood friend—with whom she continues to grow personally while balancing her career.
- Approach: She describes herself as a “work in progress” with a steady drive to expand her creative and social impact through future productions, media projects, and philanthropy.
