Yvonne Cherrie (also known as Monalisa, born August 19, 1981) is a Tanzanian actress. In 2010 she won Zanzibar International Film Festival for the 'Best Actress' award. She was also nominated for 2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Pan African Actress Of The Year. She is cited as one of the best actresses and pioneers in the movie industry of Tanzania. She is also the founder of Act With Monalisa foundation which focus on to mentor and support young Tanzanian women with acting career guidance and a platform to showcase their talents and Director of African Women Arts and Film Festival (AWAFFEST).
Early life and education Cherrie was born on August 19, 1981, at Muhimbili, the national hospital of Tanzania. Her mother, Susan Lewis (Natasha Mamvi), is also an actress.
She had her early education at Luanda, Angola where her father was working; she later returned to Tanzania and started her primary education at Muungano Primary School in Temeke, Dar Es Salaam and she had secondary education at Zanaki Girls High School before heading to Tanzania Public Service College where she studied secretarial studies.
In 2002 she joined British Council Tanzania for Pre Advance level to study English language course, and after that she joined Wilnag Media Training College in Nairobi where she graduated with a diploma in mass communication.
Career She got her nickname “Monalisa” from her 1998 performance as a young lady, struggling to reconcile her life with her multiple lovers, in the series Mambo Hayo. In 2002 Monalisa made her first feature film debut in the film called Girlfriend where she played as Tumpale, TID'S girlfriend, who is forced to turn her life around after being kicked out by her dad. She then played roles in many movies, such as Sabrina (2003), Dilemma (2004), She Is My Sister (2006), Kwa Heshima Ya Penzi, Binti Nusa and Network. One of her notable performances is from Black Sunday that earned her the 'Best Actress' award for the 2010 Zanzibar International Film Festival and nomination for Pan African Actress of The year 2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
Filmography TV series Year NameRoleNote 1998Mambo Hayo Monalisa Television: Independent Television Tanzania (ITV). Cast:Jacob Steven(Jb), Single Mtambalike (Richie), Bishanga, Waridi and Cathy2013-2015Siri Ya MtungiLuluProduced by Media for Development International. Television: East Africa Television (EATV) and TV 12014-2015Tanzania Movie Talents JudgeActing Competition aired on ITV2021Sinia Rosemary Venus Aired on Maisha Magic Bongo (Dstv Channel)
Stage Plays Year NameNote 2000-2001The Government Inspector Bagamoyo Arts and Culture Festival2002Zawadi Ya UshindiZanzibar International Film Festival2003The Song Of LawinoLittle Theatre (Tanzania)Don't Dress For Dinner Russian Cultural Centre (Tanzania)KiuKenya National Theatre A Man of the people
Film
Year NameRoleNote 2002GirlfriendTumpaleCast: TID, AY, Crazy Gk and Nina2003SabrinaSabrina2004Dilemma2006She Is My Sister RoseWith Steven Kanumba Mercy Johnson, Nkiru Sylvanus.2007Kwa Heshima Ya PenziMirandaWith Jacob Steven and Single MtambalikeChanzo Ni MamaCast :Deogratiua Shija, Suzan Lewis2008Binti Nusa part 1MalaikaWith Suzan Lewis, Hashimu KambiKaburi Mojawith Hemedi SuleimanBehind The ScenesCareyWith Vincent Kigosi, Blandina Chagula, Suzan Lewis2009Jeraha La NdoaRehemaWith Haji Adam, Bakari Makuka Wrong NumberWith Riyama Ally, Hemedi Suleiman, Gadner HabashCellularWith Thea, Sajuki2010Binti Nusa 2& 3Malaikawith Suzan Lewis, Elizabeth Chijumba, Hashim KambiBlack SundaySharonwith Steven Kanumba, Aunty Ezekiel, Yusuph MlelaPaybackRebeccaWith Steven Kanumba and Yusuph MlelaMaza HouseWith Suzan Lewis, Deogratius Shida201138 WeeksWith Haji Salum (Mboto)Pastor Myamba, The trialSarahWith Emmanuel Myamba.2012Tell Me The TruthChai MotoJeniffer Mgendi, Mussa Banzi, Christina Matai & Juma MtimaUyogaWith Single Mtambalike Ujinga WanguRithaWith Hemedi Suleiman and Haji Salum (Mboto)2013Dakika Ya MwishoWith Niva Five GirlsWith Grace Mapunda and Hashimu Kambi.In BetweenWith Suzan Lewis, Haji Salum (Mboto)Sistahili Kusamehewa With Patcho Mwamba, Alex Wasponga, Suleiman Barafu, Mohamed FungafungaMwisho Wa SikuWith Lucy Komba, Victor Mwikala, Jennifer KakolakiHidden TreasureWith Bad Boy, Mohammed YondoDaladalaCasts: Suleiman Barafu, Amri Athuman (King Majuto)2014DamianMonalisaCasts: Hashim Kambi (Dr.ambi), Jemedari Gwatwambilileghe (Damian)Bana CongoWith Haji Salum (Mboto)NetworkDetective Elizabeth With Brian Ibrick, Simon Mwakafamba, Shikunzi Haonga, Charles Rom2015Umuhimu Wako With Rose Ndauka, Suzan Lewis, Raheem 2016Daddy's Wedding MaryWith Sandra Temu, Banana Zoro, Raheem2019LeoCatWith Ally Juma Ally, Single Mtambalike
Awards and nominations
YearEventPrizeRecipient Result2008Kiu Media Awards Queen Of Bongo MoviesHerself2010Zanzibar International Film FestivalBest ActressBlack Sunday Filamu Central Best Of 2010Best ActressBinti Nusa20112011 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsPan African Actress Of The Year Black Sunday 2015Tanzania Film AwardsBest Actress In A Leading RoleDaddy's Wedding Tribute Award(Media)Filamonata (With Suzan Lewis)2018The African Prestigious Awards (Ghana)Best Female Movie StarHerself
References
External links