Georgina Chloe Eku Edewor-Thorley, otherwise known as Eku Edewor (born 18 December 1986), is a British Nigerian actress, television presenter, and model. She is best known for her work as host of the entertainment television program 53 Extra on Africa Magic.

Early life and education Edewor was born at Portland Hospital in Marylebone, London, along with her twin sister Kessiana. Her mother is Juliana Edewor, an interior designer, restaurateur, and art collector originally from Delta State.Okon, Anna. "My Style Changes Daily - Eku Edewor." Punch. 10 February 2013. 24 September 2014. Her father, Hugh Thorley, is British and has worked in the food and beverage supply and logistics industries.Okafor, Onnaedo. "5 Things You Didn't Know About Eku Edewor." Pulse.ng. 29 August 2014. 1 December 2014. Edewor's parents divorced when she was young and both remarried. Her late stepfather, Peter Thomas, was a businessman and lawyer from Lagos."Eku Edewor: Nigerian men are very good at making big romantic statements." Nigeria News. 13 December 2013. 1 December 2014. On her maternal side, she is the granddaughter of the billionaire Chief James Edewor, a titled member of the Nigerian chieftaincy system. She's also a cousin of rugby star player Maro Itoje.

Edewor was raised in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom. She lived in Lagos until the age of 13, receiving her primary education at St. Saviour's School and Grange School. Eku then travelled back to the United Kingdom, where she attended boarding school at the Benenden School for Girls. She travelled often with her family, spending Christmases in Eku, her ancestral village in Delta State, and summers in America, Europe, and other African countries.Roosblad, Shomara. "Eku Edewor." The Black Blog. Vogue.it. 20 October 2013. 4 December 2014.

Edewor attended Warwick University in Coventry, England. She pursued a degree in English Literature and Theatre Studies, graduating with honours in 2008. She then successfully completed a three-month course in acting for film at the New York Film Academy in 2009."Eku Edewor." Africa Magic. 24 September 2014

Career Edewor's first television appearance was in 2006, when she competed in the reality show Britain’s Next Top Model under the name "Georgina Edewor-Thorley".Omionawele, Joan. "The kind of man I want is...-Eku Edewor." Nigerian Tribune. 1 March 2014. 24 September 2014. . She appeared in theatre productions while studying at Warwick University and the New York Film Academy. Her first job in the entertainment industry was as a production assistant to producer Damian Jones. She worked at his company DJ Films from September 2008 through October 2009. She appeared in the 2010 film Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll as "Party Girl".Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll Full Cast & Crew. IMDb. 24 September 2014.

In 2010, after the loss of her stepfather, Edewor returned to Nigeria to work in her mother's restaurant, the Chardonnay Restaurant and Bar, so that her mother could focus on her career as an interior designer. Five months after she returned, she attended an open audition for co-presenter on 53 Extra (formerly Studio 53 Extra), an entertainment show produced by M-NET and airing on the DStv's Africa Magic channel. 53 Extra is a spin-off of Africa Magic's flagship magazine show Studio 53, which was named for the 53 countries in the African Union. 53 Extra features music, film, fashion, red carpet events, and news about celebrities and industry leaders from across the African continent."53 Extra". Africa Magic. 24 September 2014

Since landing her role on 53 Extra, Edewor has made several other television appearances; she co-hosted the Big Brother Africa All Stars live red carpet show in 2010, and she has also hosted the Pepsi Top Ten Countdown since 2012."It Hurts When I Hear I'm Only Successful because I'm Light Skinned." Bella Naija. 7 January 2014. 24 September 2014. She has appeared in commercials for M-NET's 25th Anniversary and also commercials for Martini. Edewor starred as Sade Coker in the television series The Island, which was shot in 2012 and is due to air in 2015"Welcome to 'The Island' where the Rich get Richer & the Rest try to Keep Up!" Bella Naija. 4 February 2013. 24 September 2014. and played Nicole in the online series How She Left My Brother. For her first major film role, she played principal character Sapphire in the 2013 romantic comedy film Flower Girl. She most recently starred as Victoria in the 2014 film When Love Comes Around, produced by Zynnell Zuh.Aglanu, Ernest Dela. "Ghanaian actress Zynell Zuh to produce first movie, 'When Love Comes Around.'" My Joy Online. 15 October 2013. 24 September 2014.

She splits most of her time between London, Lagos, and New York City, but also travels a lot within Africa.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes2010Sex & Drugs & Rock & RollParty Girl2013Flower GirlSapphireComedy / Romance2014When Love Comes AroundVictoria2016EntreatAdaDirected by Michael Asuelime2018God CallingAsaDrama2019Your ExcellencyEkiDirected by Funke Akindele2021SuperstarTeniDrama2023Breath of LifeBridgetDrama2023A Sunday AffairMrs. OyeyemiRomance

Television Year Title Role Notes2006Britain’s Next Top ModelHerself (as Georgina Edewor-Thorley)cycle 2, 7 episodes2010–present53 ExtraHost2010Big Brother Africa Live Red Carpet ShowCo-host2011M-Net's 25th Anniversary CommercialHerself2012Martini CommercialEku Edewor4 episodes2012–presentPepsi Top Ten Music CountdownHost2014Channel O Africa Music Video AwardsCo-host201524/7Bukola2015The IslandSade Coker2018–presentCastle & CastleNneka15 episodes2020-2024The Smart Money WomanBanke4 episodesTBAThe CutHostTBAThe Rules to Making MoneyHerself

Web Year Title Role Notes2012How She Left My BrotherNicole6 episodes

Awards and nominations

YearEventPrizeRecipientResult2014ELOY AwardsTV Presenter of the Year (Pepsi Top Ten Live Show, Africa Magic)2014Ghana Movie Awards Best Actor, African Collaboration

See also Black British elite, Edewor's class in Britain

References

External links

53 Extra on DStv