Adunni Ade

Adunni Adewale (born June 7, 1986), widely known as Adunni Ade, is a Nigerian-American actress, filmmaker, and model who is prominent in the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood. She is recognized for her versatility, appearing in both the Yoruba and English sectors of the industry.Early Life and Education Adunni Ade was born in Queens, New York, U.S., to a German-American mother and a Yoruba Nigerian father from Lagos. She returned to Nigeria at a young age before moving back to the United States for her education. Ade studied Accounting at the University of Kentucky. Prior to pursuing a career in entertainment, she worked in the United States, notably with the State of Kentucky in the housing sector and the State of Maryland in the Medical Insurance department, providing services like Medicare and Medicaid.Career Progression and Notable Works Ade began her career in entertainment with fashion modeling, which included appearing in *America's Next Top Model*. She officially returned to Nigeria and entered Nollywood in 2013, making her debut in the Yoruba-language film *You or I*. Her fluency in Yoruba allowed her to gain rapid acceptance across both the Yoruba and English film industries. Ade has been featured in well over 100 Nigerian movies. In addition to acting, she has ventured into film production, notably with the Yoruba drama movie *Ewa – Beauty*, which she produced and featured in.Major Achievements and Current Status Adunni Ade has received recognition for her significant contributions to Nollywood. For her role in the 2016 movie *It's Her Day*, she earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) in 2017 and won the Best Supporting Actress Award at the Lagos Film Festival. Her notable works include *Diary of a Lagos Girl* (2016), *The New Normal* (2020), *Ratnik* (2020), *The Perfect Arrangement* (2022), and recent films such as *Ijogbon* (2023) and *Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti* (2024). Adunni Ade continues to be an active and sought-after figure in the Nigerian film industry, where she is also recognized as a fashion enthusiast. She is a mother to two sons, Ayden Young and D'marion Young.