Yvonne Cherrie Explained

Yvonne Cherrie
Other Names:Monalisa
Birth Name:Cherrie Y. K. Salehe
Birth Place:Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Birth Date:19 August 1981
Occupation:
Years Active:1998-present
Alma Mater:
Spouse:George Tyson Akinyi (2001-2005)
Children:
  • Sonia Akinyi (2001)
  • Sean Abdulwahid Jr. (2007)
  • Kenzo Tyron (2016)
Parents:
  • Suzan Lewis (Natasha)

Yvonne Cherrie (also known as Monalisa, born August 19, 1981) is a Tanzanian actress.[1] [2] In 2010 she won Zanzibar International Film Festival for the 'Best Actress' award.[3] She was also nominated for 2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Pan African Actress Of The Year.[4] She is cited as one of the best actresses and pioneers in the movie industry of Tanzania.[2] 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[5] and Director of African Women Arts and Film Festival (AWAFFEST).[6]

Early life and education

Cherrie was born on August 19, 1981, at Muhimbili, the national hospital of Tanzania. Her mother, Suzan Lewis, 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.[2]

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.[1] In 2002 Monalisa made her first feature film debut in the film called Girlfriend where she played as Tumpale a TID'S girlfriend Tumpale 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[7] and nomination for Pan African Actress of The year 2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[4]

Filmography

TV series

YearNameRoleNote
1998Mambo Hayo Monalisa Television: Independent Television Tanzania (ITV).Cast:Jacob Steven(Jb), Single Mtambalike (Richie), Bishanga, Waridi and Cathy
2013-2015Siri Ya MtungiLuluProduced by Media for Development International.Television: East Africa Television (EATV) and TV 1
2014-2015Tanzania Movie Talents JudgeActing Competition aired on ITV
2021Sinia Rosemary Venus Aired on Maisha Magic Bongo (Dstv Channel)

Stage Plays

YearNameNote
2000-2001The Government Inspector Bagamoyo Arts and Culture Festival
2002Zawadi Ya UshindiZanzibar International Film Festival
2003The Song Of LawinoLittle Theatre (Tanzania)
Don't Dress For Dinner Russian Cultural Centre (Tanzania)
KiuKenya National Theatre
A Man of the people

Film

YearNameRoleNote
2002GirlfriendTumpaleCast: TID, AY, Crazy Gk and Nina
2003SabrinaSabrina
2004Dilemma
2006She Is My Sister RoseWith Steven Kanumba Mercy Johnson, Nkiru Sylvanus.
2007Kwa Heshima Ya PenziMirandaWith Jacob Steven and Single Mtambalike
Chanzo Ni MamaCast :Deogratiua Shija, Suzan Lewis
2008Binti Nusa part 1MalaikaWith Suzan Lewis, Hashimu Kambi
Kaburi Mojawith Hemedi Suleiman
Behind The ScenesCareyWith Vincent Kigosi, Blandina Chagula, Suzan Lewis
2009Jeraha La NdoaRehemaWith Haji Adam, Bakari Makuka
Wrong NumberWith Riyama Ally, Hemedi Suleiman, Gadner Habash
CellularWith Thea,Sajuki
2010Binti Nusa 2& 3Malaikawith Suzan Lewis, Elizabeth Chijumba, Hashim Kambi
Black SundaySharonwith Steven Kanumba, Aunty Ezekiel, Yusuph Mlela
PaybackRebeccaWith Steven Kanumba and Yusuph Mlela
Maza HouseWith Suzan Lewis,Deogratius Shida
201138 Weeks[8] With Haji Salum (Mboto)
Pastor Myamba,The trial[9] SarahWith Emmanuel Myamba.
2012Tell Me The Truth[10]
Chai Moto[11] Jeniffer Mgendi, Mussa Banzi, Christina Matai & Juma Mtima
Uyoga[12] With Single Mtambalike
Ujinga Wangu[13] RithaWith Hemedi Suleiman and Haji Salum (Mboto)
2013Dakika Ya Mwisho[14] With Niva
Five Girls[15] With Grace Mapunda and Hashimu Kambi.
In Between[16] With Suzan Lewis, Haji Salum (Mboto)
Sistahili Kusamehewa With Patcho Mwamba, Alex Wasponga, Suleiman Barafu, Mohamed Fungafunga
Mwisho Wa Siku[17] With Lucy Komba, Victor Mwikala, Jennifer Kakolaki
Hidden Treasure[18] With Bad Boy, Mohammed Yondo
Daladala[19] Casts: Suleiman Barafu, Amri Athuman (King Majuto)
2014Damian[20] MonalisaCasts: Hashim Kambi (Dr.ambi), Jemedari Gwatwambilileghe (Damian)
Bana Congo[21] With Haji Salum (Mboto)
Network[22] Detective Elizabeth With Brian Ibrick, Simon Mwakafamba, Shikunzi Haonga, Charles Rom
2015Umuhimu Wako With Rose Ndauka, Suzan Lewis, Raheem
2016Daddy's Wedding MaryWith Sandra Temu, Banana Zoro, Raheem
2019LeoCatWith Ally Juma Ally, Single Mtambalike

Awards and nominations

YearEventPrizeRecipient Result
2008Kiu Media Awards Queen Of Bongo MoviesHerself[23]
2010Zanzibar International Film FestivalBest ActressBlack Sunday
Filamu Central Best Of 2010Best ActressBinti Nusa[24]
20112011 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsPan African Actress Of The Year Black Sunday [25]
2015Tanzania Film AwardsBest Actress In A Leading RoleDaddy's Wedding [26]
Tribute Award(Media)Filamonata (With Suzan Lewis)
2018The African Prestigious Awards (Ghana)Best Female Movie StarHerself[27]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Yvonne Cherryl - Actor, Director,—Bongo Movies - Buy Tanzania Movies and DVDs Online. www.bongocinema.com.
  2. Web site: BONGO FILM DATA BASE: UJUE VILIVYO WASIFU WA YVONNE CHERRYL / MONA LISA (BIOGRAPH). Bongo Film Data. Base. 2 January 2012.
  3. Web site: THE ZANZIBAR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS.
  4. Web site: Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2011 nominees « tooXclusive. 26 May 2011.
  5. Web site: THE AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL (TAFF) - Bridging Cultures Through Film. Director. Kelechi Eke, Executive. The African Film Festival. en-US. 2019-08-20.
  6. Web site: THE AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL (TAFF) - Bridging Cultures Through Film. Director. Kelechi Eke, Executive. The African Film Festival. en-US. 2019-08-20.
  7. Web site: ZIFF AWARDS......
  8. Web site: 38 Weeks — Bongo Movie - Tanzania. www.bongocinema.com.
  9. Web site: Pastor Myamba, the Trial — Bongo Movie - Tanzania. www.bongocinema.com.
  10. Web site: Tell Me the Truth — Bongo Movie - Tanzania. www.bongocinema.com.
  11. Web site: Chai Moto — Bongo Movie - Tanzania. www.bongocinema.com.
  12. Web site: Uyoga — Bongo Movie - Tanzania. www.bongocinema.com.
  13. Web site: Ujinga Wangu — Bongo Movie - Tanzania. www.bongocinema.com.
  14. Web site: Dakika ya Mwisho — Bongo Movie - Tanzania. www.bongocinema.com.
  15. Web site: Five Girls — Bongo Movie - Tanzania. www.bongocinema.com.
  16. Web site: In Between — Bongo Movie - Tanzania. www.bongocinema.com.
  17. Web site: Mwisho wa Siku — Bongo Movie - Tanzania. www.bongocinema.com.
  18. Web site: Hidden Treasure — Bongo Movie - Tanzania. www.bongocinema.com.
  19. Web site: Daladala — Bongo Movie - Tanzania. www.bongocinema.com.
  20. Web site: Damian — Bongo Movie - Tanzania. www.bongocinema.com.
  21. Web site: Bana Congo — Bongo Movie - Tanzania. www.bongocinema.com.
  22. Web site: Network — Bongo Movie - Tanzania. www.bongocinema.com.
  23. Web site: Yvonne Cherryl - Actor, Director, — Bongo Movies - Buy Tanzania Movies and DVDs Online. www.bongocinema.com.
  24. Web site: MONALISA AND THE TANZANIA FILM INDUSTRY: AHSANTE FILAMU CENTRAL. Monalisa. 16 January 2011.
  25. Web site: Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2011 nominees - TooXclusive. 26 May 2011.
  26. Web site: SWP: Full List of Nominees Tanzania Film Awards 2015, Dogo Maasai, Mdundiko, We Are Four Lead Nominations.. Trim. Saleem. 2 April 2015.
  27. Web site: Female Movie Star - African Prestigious Awards.