{{Short description|Nigerian actor, film producer and TV personality (born 1974)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}} {{Use Nigerian English|date=September 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Monalisa Chinda | image = Monalisa Chinyere Chinda.jpg | caption = Monalisa Chinda in 2021 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1974|09|13}} | birth_place = Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria | education = Theatre arts, University of Port Harcourt | occupation = Actress, film producer, TV personality, media personality | awards = Best Actress, Afro Hollywood Award 2009 at the Monte Carlo Television Festival | years_active = 1996–present | notable_works = Pregnant Virgin }}
'''Monalisa Chinyere Chinda''' {{Audio|Ig-Monalisa Chinda.ogg|(listen)|help=no}} (born 13 September 1974)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2014/09/15/monalisa-chindas-40th-birthday-celebration-liz-benson-ameye-joke-silva-uti-nwachukwu-tonye-cole-julius-agwu-more-photos/| title=Monalisa Chinda's 40th Birthday Celebration| date=15 September 2014|publisher=bellanaija.com|access-date=22 October 2014}}</ref> is a Nigerian actress,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yinka |first=Ade |date=2020-12-04 |title=Actress, Monalisa Chinda blasts those who run to social media to address their private issues |url=https://www.kemifilani.ng/entertainment/actress-monalisa-chinda-blasts-those-who-run-to-social-media-to-address-their-private-issues |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=Kemi Filani News |language=en-GB}}</ref> film producer, talkshow host, television personality, humanitarian and media personality.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.stabroeknews.com/2010/the-scene/07/17/mona-lisa-chinda-that%E2%80%99s-not-the-real-me/ | title='Mona Lisa Chinda' That is not the real me|access-date=4 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Admin |date=2022-05-02 |title=Reactions as Nollywood actress, Monalisa Chinda flaunts her 14-year-old daughter on social media |url=https://nationaldailyng.com/reactions-as-nollywood-actress-monalisa-chinda-flaunts-her-14-year-old-daughter-on-social-media/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2022-07-24 |newspaper=National Daily|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Early life== Monalisa Chinda was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, south-south Nigeria, to Ikwerre parents. She is the firstborn in a family of 6 children (two sons and four daughters).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monalisa Chinda Biography: Inside the Fabulous Life of the Nollywood Actress |url=https://buzznigeria.com/monalisa-chinda-biography/ |access-date=2022-07-28 |website=buzznigeria.com|date=17 July 2022 }}</ref> She attended Army Children's School GRA for Primary and then Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls' School, Elelenwo. Both schools are located in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Nigeria |url=https://nigeriaembassygermany.org/about-nigeria.htm |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=nigeriaembassygermany.org}}</ref> She obtained a degree in theatre arts from the University of Port Harcourt.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tersoo|first=Andrella|date=2018-06-14|title=Inspiring details from Monalisa Chinda's biography: wedding, husband, daughter|url=https://www.legit.ng/1174964-monalisa-chinda-biography-age-husband-daughter-movies-net-worth.html|access-date=2021-09-30|newspaper=Legit.ng|language=en}}</ref>
== Career and activities == Monalisa's first major movie was ''Pregnant Virgin'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.naij.com/tag/monalisa_chinda.html/|title=monalisa-chinda-biography-profile-movies-latest-news|work=Naij.com - Nigeria news. |access-date=30 October 2014}}</ref> which she did in 1996 and subsequently, after she graduated in 2000, she did ''Above the Law'' and has done many others since then.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.naij.com/tag/monalisa_chinda.html|title=monalisa-chinda-biography-profile-movies-latest-news|work=Naij.com - Nigeria news. |access-date=30 October 2014}}</ref>
thumb|upright|Monalisa on set of You&I with Monalisa in 2017
In 2007 her road to stardom kicked off when she started appearing in the television soap ''Heaven’s Gate''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://collinstalkerukaonu.wordpress.com/2012/06/30/the-set-of-heavens-gate/|title=The Set Of Heaven's gate|date=30 June 2012 |access-date=30 October 2014}}</ref> In 2011, she debuted as Executive Producer in the Royal Arts Academy movie, 'Kiss & Tell', which Emem Isong co-produced with her and Desmond Elliot directed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kissandtellmovie.com/cast_crew.html/|title=Kiss & Tell Movie Cast and Crew|access-date=30 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502111020/http://kissandtellmovie.com/cast_crew.html|archive-date=2 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2012, she became one of the first of four Nollywood actors to be featured on the cover of Hollywood Weekly Magazine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2012/05/21/nollywoods-superstars-desmond-elliot-jackie-appiah-joseph-benjamin-monalisa-chinda-grace-the-cover-of-hollywood-weekly-magazines-may-issue/|title="Nollywood's Superstars" Desmond Elliot, Jackie Appiah, Joseph Benjamin & Monalisa Chinda grace the Cover of Hollywood Weekly Magazine's May Issue|date=21 May 2012 |access-date=21 May 2012}}</ref> In November 2014 the actress branched out of acting a little bit and debuted her Talk Show titled 'You & I with Monalisa."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/monalisa-chinda-debuts-talk-show/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Monalisa Chinda debuts in Talk Show|date=17 October 2014 |access-date=30 October 2014|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=danivert |date=2018-09-15 |title=Monalisa Chinda: Why I'll stop my daughter from acting |url=https://thesun.ng/why-ill-stop-my-daughter-from-acting-monalisa-chinda/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-06-30 |newspaper=The Sun|language=en}}</ref>
Monalisa is involved in a lot of charity work. She has a column (Monalisa Code) in the Saturday edition of The Sun Newspapers where she writes on social issues and relationships. She is a consultant with Royal Arts Academy, a media school known for breeding new talents, in acting, directing, and screenwriting.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yeyepikin.com/2015/10/monalisa-chinda-facts-you-need-to-know-about-nollywood-actress/|title=Monalisa Chinda Facts You Need To Know About Nollywood Actress|access-date=23 October 2015}}</ref> She partnered with Goge African to encourage tourists in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-18 |title=Monalisa Chinda partners Goge Africa to boost tourism in Africa |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/06/monalisa-chinda-partners-goge-africa-to-boost-tourism-in-africa/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2022-07-26 |newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Awards and recognition == * In 2011, Monalisa was crowned the Face of Port Harcourt - Carnival Queen, in her hometown of Rivers State.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nigeriafilms.com/news/14175/26/actress-monalisa-chinda-becomes-port-harcourt-carn.html/|title=ACTRESS MONALISA CHINDA BECOMES PORT HARCOURT CARNIVAL QUEEN|access-date=20 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022195918/http://nigeriafilms.com/news/14175/26/actress-monalisa-chinda-becomes-port-harcourt-carn.html|archive-date=22 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> * In 2010, she was nominated for Best Actress in a drama series at the Terracotta TV and Film Awards<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.modernghana.com/movie/8060/3/aamma-honours-monalisa-chinda-tonight-in-australia.html|title=AAMMA HONOURS MONALISA CHINDA IN AUSTRALIA |access-date= 10 July 2010}}</ref> * Best Actress, Afro Hollywood Award 2009 at the Monte Carlo Television Festival<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nigeriafilms.com/news/6103/2/mona-lisa-wins-award-for-best-actress-at-afro-holl.html|title=Mona Lisa wins Award for Best Actress at Afro Hollywood Awards|access-date=21 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091127231453/http://www.nigeriafilms.com/news/6103/2/mona-lisa-wins-award-for-best-actress-at-afro-holl.html|archive-date=27 November 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year !! Title !! Role |- | 1996 || ''Pregnant Virgin'' || |- | 2001 || ''Kids Are Angry'' || Louisa |- | 2004 || ''Enslaved '' || |- | 2005 || ''Golden Moon'' || Loveline |- | 2007 || ''Royal Grandmother'' || Oluoma |- | 2006 || ''Sting 2'' || |- | 2008 || ''Critical Truth'' || Benita |- | 2011 || ''Kiss and Tell'' || Delphine |- | 2013 || Keeping my Man || Tamar |- | 2009 || ''Anointed Liars'' || Ann |- | 2009 || ''Breaking Heart'' || Lydia |- | 2009 || ''Without Goodbye'' || Ann |- | 2000 || ''Above the Law'' || |- | {{When|date=September 2025}} || ''City of Angels'' || |- | {{When|date=September 2025}} || ''Passionate Heart'' || |- | {{When|date=September 2025}} || ''Memories of the Heart'' || |- | 2013 || ''Itoro'' || Elena |- | 2006 || ''Spirit of Love'' || Anasteria |- | {{When|date=September 2025}} || ''Okon Lagos'' || |- | 2006 || ''Games Men Play'' || |- | {{When|date=September 2025}} || ''Nollywood Huslers'' || |- | 2012 || ''Weekend Getaway'' || Yolanda Okpara |- | 2012 || ''Gossip Nation'' || |- | 2013 || ''Torn'' || Nana |- | 2013 || ''Lagos Cougars'' || Elsie |- | 2014 || ''The Unthinkable'' || |- | {{When|date=September 2025}} || ''Evil Project'' || |- | 2016 || ''The Therapist'' || Helen |- | 2017 || ''At your Service'' || Evelyn |- | 2017 || ''The Personal Assistance'' || Clarice |- | 2018 || ''Crazy People'' || Guest Appearance |- | 1695 || ''Four wives and a mistress'' || Eleanor |- | 2019 || ''The Bling Lagosians'' || Ngozi Gomez |- | 2019 || ''The Night Bus to Lagos'' || |- | 2020 || ''The Good Husband'' || Rosa |- | 2020 || ''The Escort'' || Adaora |- | 2021 || ''Bouquet and Everything After'' || Bouquet god |- | 2022 || ''Different Strokes'' || Kevwe |}
==See also== {{Portal|Biography|Film}} * List of people from Port Harcourt * List of Nigerians
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==References== {{reflist}} * https://metronews247.co.uk/monalisa-chinda-in-an-exclusive-interview-opens-up-on-her-failed-marriage/ Metronews247 Media
==External links== {{sister project links|d=Q16769726|c=Category:Monalisa Chinda|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}} *[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2241811/bio Monalisa Chinda] on iMDb *[https://web.archive.org/web/20140505130411/http://monalisachindatv.com/index.php/default/bio Official Website] {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chinda, Monalisa}} Category:Living people Category:Actresses from Port Harcourt Category:1974 births Category:University of Port Harcourt alumni Category:Nigerian film actresses Category:20th-century Nigerian actresses Category:21st-century Nigerian actresses Category:Ikwerre people Category:Television personalities from Rivers State Category:Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls' School alumni Category:Igbo actresses Category:Igbo television personalities Category:Film producers from Rivers State Category:Nigerian television personalities Category:People from Rivers State