Red Carpet Pictures from NollyWood Movie Premiere of “I’ll Take My Chances”

In what was a superlative amalgam of stars from the movie industry Nollywood & the Music industry, the Lagos Premiere of the blockbuster movie, ‘I’ll Take My Chances’ was a watershed in many respects. It went down as the biggest gathering of stars from the entertainment in recent times.  The roll call boasted celebs like Paul Okoye of PSquare with his manager/brother Jude ‘Engees’ Okoye, Rugged Man, Faze, Slam (who did the musical score for the film) all mingled with Nollywood stars like Monalisa Chinda,Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha, Uche Jombo, Susan Peters, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Mahmoud Alli-Balogun, Segun Arinze, Kunle Afolayan and ofcourse the ‘celebrants’ of the day, Emem Isong & Ini Edo etc. Also present were Director of the movie, Desmond Elliot, lead actor Bryan Okwara, Big Brother winners past & present  Uti Nwachukwu & Karen Igho. New Nollywood was well represented with the presence of Uru Eke, Alexx Ekubo, Beverly Naya, O.C.Ukeje, Anthony Monjaro, Chelsea Eze etc.

Ushers at the Event!

The setting was authentically African and in keeping with the theme of the movie, ushers were dressed in native Akwa Ibom dance costumes, adding colour & flair to an already lively event! Observers were in for a treat when the lovely Dakore-Egbuson made an entrance! Rarely seen on the Red Carpet these days, her appearance was a pleasant surprise as was the arrival of newly wed Mercy Johnson and Nollywood ‘Bad Boy’ Jim Iyke! But what caused the biggest commotion of all was the arrival of soulful crooner, Tuface with the latest fiance in town, Annie Macauley! The place almost went berserk! They had to be ushered in through a back entrance and whisked upstairs to the cinema screening room. The MC of the evening was Comedian, A.Y. who had everyone laughing as he introduced and recognized some familiar faces in the House!  In what seems to be a Royal Arts trademark,the two halls used for screening were jampacked with many having to make do with standing and some, sitting on the floor! But when the lights deemed and the movie came on, it was all worth it. The crowd loved it! Several times during the production, the audience broke into applause. Though in one of the halls, the screen setting (by Silverbird) was rather dark, it was later rectified and the audience continued to enjoy the movie till it ended in tumultuous applause. Overall, everybody had a great time an left with goodie bags laden with lots of stuff including packs of hair from Noble Hair & Chivita Juice!

A radiant-looking Emem Isong looking Royal in navy blue

Ini Edo dazzles in a cobalt blue dress. Love the red shoes!

Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha! One word… Divine! Styled by stylist to the stars, Yolanda Okereke (RaniGisele)

A dapper Desmond Elliot.. Director of the hit movie.

An elegant looking Dakore Egbuson-Akande in champagne

A demure looking Monalisa Chinda looking classy in black.

Lovely looking Uru Eke looking pretty in a pink number by House of Dorcas!

Bryan, Bryan.. wherefore art thou, Bryan! Lol!

Omoni Oboli looking beautiful and classy… Me likey!

Nse Ikpe-Etim… knows how to switch things, take risks and still turn out classy! Lovely!

Hmm! Mercy Johnson-Okojie! Vavavoom!

Chelsea Eze… endless legs!

Susan Peters… Pink Lady!

Stephanie Okereke… interesting grey dress!

And the dresses got even more interesting! Uche Jombo bringing sexy ‘back’! Lol!

Diva Alert! Rukky Sanda in da Building!

Ace stylist/Fashion Editor, Bloke Magazine Yolanda Okereke

Presenter/actor Uti ‘abeg,abeg,abeg’ Nwachukwu! Looking good in native wear!

And the guys continued to favour native wear… A.Y the Comedian (right) and friend.

Alexx Ekubo… calmly representing New Nollywood!

Ini Edo with Jumai Shaba of Jara TV with Paul of PSquare

Some of the major cast & crew of award winning ‘Emotional crack’ meet up 9 years later! Memories… lol (Emem,Lancleot Oduwa Imasuen, Dakore and Stephanie Okerke with A.M.P President, Zik Zulu Okafor.

A fan’s dream comes true! Jessica Obasi, one of the winners of our quiz competition, meets Uti Nwachukwu at the premiere. (Girlfriend sure knew how to pose for that photo Op! Lol! More on the story in another post…)

Monalisa Chinda with Paul of PSquare

Mr & Mrs Yul Edochie with Ini Edo

Big Brother Nigeria Winners past & present, Uti Nwachukwu & Karen Igho

CANDID CAMERA!

Uru Eke and Moses’Sneeze’ Inwang (Sneeze,whatever it is you’re saying.. its a lie! *kidding! Lol!)

Dakore Egbuson-Akande sees the director of her breakthrough film ‘Emotional Crack’ Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen after so many years!

Ini Edo with her two sisters (last two ladies on the right) with Sunshine & Emem Morgan of Globacom

Uche Jombo doing her thing… interviews!

Hmm! The starlets are coming o… Lelee Byoma (right) a Royal Arts Academy Alumni & one of the dancers in the movie with a friend.

Actors in the movie, Ini Edo, Bryan Okwara (love the new hair style!) Meg Otanwa with Emem Isong (love the beaded detailing on Emem’s bodice!)

L-r: Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, Uru Eke, Emem Isong, Alexx Ekubo & Beverly Naya. (Love this pic & what it symbolises!)

The movie premiered to a packed house! *Can you spot Tuface and Annie in the crowd? Hmm…

More cross section pics!

Selling Market despite the premiere! Lol! Royal Arts staff, Vera & Ebere selling movies from Royal Arts.

Ushers with the some of the RAA team

Yes, thumbs up to the hard working organising team (l-r: Dr Chidi Oguamanam, Uduak Oguamanam, Rita C. Onwurah of Closer Events with Emeka Duru) Take a bow!

‘I’ll Take My Chances’ continues to screen as from today in all cinemas nationwide! Grab a friend and go see what the fuss is all about!

credits;

Event Planning by Closer Events

Photo credits: Kelechi Duru