Biography Of Actress Osas Ighodaro (Background, Career, Family, Achievements & Controversies)

How old is Osas Ighodaro?

Nollywood actress, Osariemen Martha Elizabeth Ighodaro better known as Osas Ighodaro is a model, producer and host born on October, 26th, 1990.

The Nigerian-American who was born by Edo parents lived in Bronx, New York where she did her basic education.

While in the US, Osas attended Pennsylvania State University where she read Broadcasting Journalism and then furthered her education in Pace University where she bagged a masters degree in Fine Art at Actors Studio Drama School, Pace University.

Osas Ighodaro Modelling Career

Osas started modelling right from her stay in the United States. She had stated that during her teens, she had a low self esteem due to her skinny nature and so, her parents enrolled her into a modelling school in order to boost her self esteem.

Speaking about it in an interview, she said,

“As I got older, I suffered low self-esteem. I was picked on when I was in school by a black girl. Her name is Monique, can’t ever forget her name. She would always pick on me, ‘You African, you are ugly.’ She would always make fun of the way my mum plaited my hair. I didn’t feel pretty as I got older, I wasn’t proud of who I was”.

My dad sent me to modeling school and I did that for a year. After I graduated, I got a postcard in my mail to take part in a pageant and my dad encouraged me to enter. I said to myself, you can make money for this [participating in pageants]? I did pageant after pageant and saved everything I made. I also had a receptionist job every Saturday morning up till I finished high school”.

Osas Ighodaro first won Miss Black Connecticut, USA and in 2010, won Miss Black, USA making her the first Nigerian-American to be crowned Miss Black USA in the pageant’s 26years history.

How Did Osas Ighodaro Join Nollywood?

In 2012, the 31 years old actress came to Nigeria with the intention of staying for just six months before leaving back for the US but before the end of the six months target, she fell in love with the Nollywood industry. Her first Nollywood debut was in the popular TV series, Tinsel where she played the role of Adanna. Let us see the list of movies and TV series this beautiful actress has partaken in.

Which Movies Has Osas Ighodaro Acted?

Movies she acted include:
Killa Season
Cardillac Records
Gbomo Gbomo Express
The Tested
Restless City
Entreat
Put a ring on it
King of Boys
Merry Men: The Re Yoruba Demons
New Money
Your Excellency
Bling Lagosians
Ratnik
Namaste Wahala
Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story
Mamba’s Diamond
Bad Comment

Man Of God

TV Series Osas acted include:
Tinsel
Conviction
Meet the Browns
EVE
MTV Shuga

Sh has also hosted different events which include Maltina Dance All and One Africa Music Fest which held in October 1st, 2021 making her the first woman to co host such an Afro beat music festival.

Awards won by Osas Ighodaro

In 2010, she won Miss Black USA at Miss Black, USA Pageant.
In 2014, the actress won Actress of the Year-TV at ELOY Awards.
In 2015, Osas won Humanitarian Awards because of her foundation at Green October LA mode Magazine Awards.
In 2015, she also won Brand Ambassador of the Year at ELOY Awards.
In 2016, the model and actress won Supporting Actress of the Year at 2016 Nigerian Entertainment Awards.

Osas Ighodaro’s Philanthropy

Osas founded the Joyful Joy Foundation, a foundation that raise funds and awareness for malaria. The foundation was formed after she lost her pregnant sister to malaria in 2006. Unfortunately, she lost her mum, Patricia Ighodaro to the cold hands of death in November 4, 2020.

Who is Osas Ighodaro’s ex-husband

In 2014, the actress started dating her Tinsel co star, Gbenro Ajibade who is also a model. They got married in June, 2015 at the United States and in 2016, the marriage produced a daughter, Azariah Tiwatope Osarugue. Their marriage ended in 2019. Gbenro accused her of abandoning her child to go party with friends and exhibiting some negative attitudes even after being called to order by family members.

He said,
“Who leaves their baby in the house and goes out to party with friends/events from 6 pm to 5 am?!!! It is not the first, second, third and fourth time, the other night you slept out you sent our baby off with a stranger to drop her off at home with the nanny so you can be out all night”.

Osas Ighodaro’s Brand Ambassadorial Deal

In 2015, she bagged an endorsement deal with Polo Avenue and then in 2018, she bagged another deal with Medplus Pharmacy. Osas Ighodaro is also a brand ambassador to Mira skincare, Throne homes and Infinix. She has an estimated networth of $1million.

Controversies/Rumours of Osas Ighodaro

It was rumoured that her ex husband got married to her because he wanted to acquire a green card since she was already a US citizen. Osas Ighodaro debunked this rumour in an interview stating that he truly loves her.

Debunking the rumour, she said,

“Being in the limelight, I hear different things and I wouldn’t be human if some of them didn’t get to me; especially the comments people made about how he is only with me because he wants a green card.

That was very hurtful because people don’t understand the love we have for each other. Everybody likes a good life. Who no like better tin? If he is able to get a green card for being with me, then that is a blessing but for people to assume that that is the only reason he is with me is very hurtful.”

“Gbenro has had different opportunities in his life and he could have made that ‘green card’ happen a long time ago. He always tells me that he had never envisioned himself being in love and in a relationship until he met me. He thought he might just end up having a baby mama. I didn’t ask him to marry me. He asked me to take this journey with him. People can talk all they want”.

He also debunked the rumour.

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