Birth Name: Monalisa Chinda-Coker
Stage Name: Monalisa Chinda
Birth Date: September 14, 1974
Occupation(s): Actress, Film Producer, Television Personality Media Personality
Years Active: 1996 – Present
Net Worth: Unknown
Personal Life
Monalisa Chinda is a renowned Nollywood actress, film producer, television personality and media personality. She was born on September 13, 1974, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State as the first of six children.
Education
For her primary and secondary education, she attended Army Children Schools, GRA, and Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls’ School, Elelenwo, respectively. She is also a graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt.
Career
In 1996, Monalisa debuted in the movie ‘Pregnant Virgin’ while still a university student. Subsequently, after graduation in 2000, she featured in ‘Above the Law’.
However, her fame came when she starred in a television soap opera in 2000 ‘Heaven’s Gate’. Monalisa’s first movie as an executive producer was in a 2011 Royal Arts Academy movie ‘Kiss and Tell’. It was produced by Emem Isong and directed by Desmond Elliot.
In 2012, she became one of the four Nollywood stars to get featured on the cover of Hollywood Weekly Magazine alongside Jackie Appiah, Desmond Elliot and Joseph Benjamin.
She has a column (Monalisa Code) in the Saturday edition of The Sun Newspapers where she writes on social issues and relationships.
Asides from acting, she is a consultant with Royal Arts Academy, a media school known for breeding new talents, in acting, directing, and screenwriting. In addition, she runs a talk show ‘You and I’ with Monalisa’ which she started in 2014.
Awards
2014 – Africa Movie Academy Award, Best Actress in Leading Role
2012 – Nollywood @ 20 E-Global Awards (NEGA), Outstanding Character Actress
2011 – Carnival Queen, Face of Port Harcourt
2010 – Afro-Australian Music and Movie Award, Most Outstanding Actress
2009 – African Film Awards, UK
2009 – Afro Hollywood Award, Best Actress
Marriage
Monalisa’s first marriage to Dejo Richards ended in 2010 over allegations of domestic violence and constant abuse. The divorced couple both had a daughter together – Tamar Chinda.
She wedded her second husband, Tonye Coker, on February 20, 2016. Monalisa revealed that she had known Coker since she was 14.
Quotes
Confidence stems from within! Let no one tell you otherwise. You are beautiful just the way you are.
The best part of life is the ability to learn something new every day. Just when you think you know it all, you realize you don’t know a thing.
Movies
Hidden Price
Salt and Pepper
Dark
Scorpion
Critical Truth
Evil Project
Nollywood Hustlers
Kiss and Tell
Weekend Getaway
Keeping my Man
The Unthinkable
Enslaved
The Therapist
Passionate Heart
The Biggest Game
Okon Lagos
The Good Husband
Night Bus to Lagos
The Bling Lagosians