Zainab Balogun-Nwachukwu (born 10 October 1989) is a Nigerian actress, model and television presenter. She began modelling at an early age after being scouted at 16.Ade-Unuigbe, Adesola. "Fab Interview: 'I Have a Little Crush on D'Banj' Zanaib Balogun, Ebony Life TV Presenter Talks Life, Love & Work". Fab Magazine Online. February 7, 2014. December 5, 2014. She has been featured in several international campaigns for different brands. She co-founded The J-ist TV, an online entertainment web-series that highlights African culture and a range of topical issues; the series features interviews involving some of Africa's top personalities.
Balogun works as a television presenter for EbonyLife TV, an entertainment television station for which she currently co-hosts and produces The Spot, the channel's leading talk show with Lamide Akintobi."Zainab Balogun's Interview with Zen". Zen Magazine Africa. 2013. December 5, 2014. Balogun also appears as a presenter and associate producer on Jumia TV, a teleshopping show.
Early life and career Balogun was born in London to Nigerian parents,Roosblad, Shomara. "Interview with Zainab Balogun". The Black Blog. Vogue.it. September 29, 2014. December 5, 2014. where she was raised with a large extended family, predominantly in Clapham, a district of South West London. She is Yoruba from the Egba subgroup and claims descent from a family from Abeokuta, Ogun State. Due to the nature of her mother's work, she moved around a lot and spent most of her formative years growing up with relatives.
Her secondary school education was obtained at Sacred Heart RC Secondary School. Her interest in the arts began with her regularly taking part in talent shows and school plays. She studied music and eventually went on to join the school choir and later formed an R&B girl group with two friends called Regné (pronounced "reign"). She attended Christ the King Sixth Form College where she completed her A Levels in Law, Psychology, and English Language & Literature. She then attended the University of Kent in Medway where she received a Bachelor of Law degree (LLB).Igew, Miles. "StyleVitae Meets - Zainab Balogun". StyleVitae. April 28, 2014. December 5, 2014.
Balogun worked as a model after being scouted by Premier Models Management at the age of 16. After obtaining her law degree, she began to appear in shows such as BBC One's Material Girl, Bollywood movie Cocktail (2012) and The Charlatans by Ashley Waters. She soon found herself on set with legendary director Christopher Nolan in 2011 for the film The Dark Knight Rises, which she describes as an "unforgettable experience".
Balogun is now a television presenter, who produces and hosts shows for EbonyLife TV, an entertainment television network. She has also produced shows such as EL Now, a daily entertainment news show for the latest in fashion, music and arts. She is currently joined by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Lamide Akintobi on The Spot, a daily hang-out talk show.Ngomba, Joan. "EbonyLife TV's Zainab Balogun Spills Secrets Behind 'The Spot'". Pulse.ng. March 19, 2014. December 5, 2014.
Personal life In May 2018, Balogun married Dikko Nwachukwu founder of Jetwest Airways. The pair were traditionally married on 13 May in Lagos, Nigeria.
Balogun splits her time between London, England and Lagos, Nigeria. According to an interview by Elowell Max, Balogun states she appreciates having lived in various cultures and that "something that comes from experiencing life in many different places."
Filmography
Television Year Title Role Notes 2012 The Charlatans Natalia 2012 Material Girl host 2012–present EL Now host, segment producer 2012–present The Spot host 2013 Knock Knock Hawa Webseries 2014 VHS: Music Artist Wannabe Skit herself webseries 2014 Verdict Lavena Johnson webseries 2014–present Jumia TV host, associate producer 2015– Before 30 Fast Girl, Ekua TBA The Island Teni Bowen Cole
Film Year Title Role Notes 2011 The Dark Knight Rises Dancer Featured role 2012 Cocktail Party Guest Featured role 2015 A Soldier's Story Angela Supporting 2016 The Wedding Party Wonu Supporting Ojukokoro (Greed) Entreat Linda Linda Supporting 2017 The Wedding Party 2 Wonu Supporting The Royal Hibiscus Hotel Ope Lead 2018 Sylvia Sylvia Lead Chief Daddy Ireti Supporting God Calling Sade Lead2019Walking with ShadowsAdaDirected by Aoife O'Kelly 2021Fine Wine TemisanDirected by Seyi BabatopeCollisionLagos City News ReporterDirected by Bolanle Austen-PetersCharge and BailBoma OssaiDirected by Uyoyou Adia2021Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke Ireti Supporting 2022KofaHauwaDirected by Jude Idada2024Last CallDirected by Shola Thomson-Adewale2024On the EdgeLolaDirected by Temitope Bolade2024The BeadsRantiDirected by Moyinoluwa Ezekiel
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Result 2013 Exquisite Lady of the Year Awards TV Presenter of the Year 2014 Sisterhood Awards TV Presenter of the Year 2014 All Youth Tush Awards On-Air Personality of the Year 2014 Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards Sexist On-Air Personality 2014 Exquisite Lady of the Year Award (ELOY) TV Presenter of the Year 2018The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) Prize for Acting 2020Africa Magic Viewers' Choice AwardsBest Actress in a Drama
See also List of Nigerian actors
References
External links
The Spot website