Call her the life of the party, and you can never be wrong. Nollywood sweetheart Ufuoma McDermott is one of the four stars, also known as the Dubai Girls, that features in the travel competition of the same name. With the third edition of the travel competition coming up, winners will get the chance to meet Ufuoma alongside other A-list actresses such as Uche Jombo, Chioma Akpotha, and Omoni Oboli.
Although she was born Ufuoma Stacey Ejenobor, it is as Ufuoma Stacey McDermott that she has come to be known. The Edo State-born actress, filmmaker, and former model is regarded as one of the most prominent stars in Nollywood. She is perhaps best known for her role in The Women, released in 2017, Merry Men (2019), and The Blood Covenant (2022).
Before becoming an actress, Ufuoma ventured into modeling and worked with several brands, locally and internationally. However, since she joined the movie industry, the actress has improved her career by expanding her portfolio to include movie production and directing. She also has an interesting love life and has been married to her husband, Steven McDermott, for over a decade and still counting. They are parents to two children, a son named Isio and a daughter, Kesiena.
Ufuoma McDermott Hails from the Urhobo Tribe of Delta State, Nigeria
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Born Ufuoma Ejenobor on April 23, 1981, in Benin City, Delta State, the actress originally came from the Urhobo-speaking tribe of Delta State. She was born into a close-knit family and was raised by her parents, whose identity has remained a mystery in the media. According to reports, the actress recently lost her dad in early 2022.
Ufuoma and her family moved around a lot when she was very young. When she was 7, her father nicknamed her Isio, meaning star in Urhobo, after the star actress of the NTA show, The Pot of Life. From, the young Ufuoma nurtured the dream of becoming an actress in the future, a dream which has become a reality.
She graduated from the New York Film Academy in 2011
As a child, Ufuoma and her parents moved to Jos, where she completed her early education at Alama Private School Jos, Plateau State. Not long after, her family moved to Lagos, where she spent most of her life. In Lagos, Ufuoma attended Tuwase Nursery and Primary School and Molly International Nursery and Primary School before moving to Federal Government College, Odogbolu, Ogun State.
The actress completed her university education at the University of Lagos, where she got a degree in the French Language. After graduation, she earned a master’s degree in Public and International Affairs and diplomas from NIIT and Alliance Francaise.
Although she didn’t study acting or theatre in school, Ufuoma’s overwhelming love for acting led her to attend New York Film Academy in Los Angeles to hone her acting skills in 2011. Two years later, she also obtained a certificate in Human Resource Management from London Business School.
Ufuoma McDermott Started Her Career As a Model in the Year 2000
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Ufuoma first started her career as a photographic model, appearing in several magazines, posters, and adverts for top brands in Nigeria. Notable among them were Fan milk, Lux soap, Joy magazine, Genevieve magazine, Ruby n Pink, PZ, Zinox computers, etc. More than that, the former model also graced several runways for different fashion shows for designers such as Davida Shirt Makers, Steve Ray, Nikky Khiran, Nobel Afrik, Modella, and many others.
Away from the runways, Ufuoma also participated extensively in beauty contests. She was a runner-up in her first beauty pageant competition in 2001. Later in the same year, she won Miss Ebony beauty 2001 and contested for Miss Commonwealth. Although she didn’t win the competition, Ufuoma clinched Miss Congeniality. She competed in the Queen of All Nations Beauty Pageant in 2003 and finished as the first runner-up in the competition.
Ufuoma was among the contestants of Miss Nigeria in 2004. She finished as the first runner-up. Later, she was crowned Miss Earth Nigeria and represented the country at the Miss Earth International Beauty Pageant in the Philippines.
Ufuoma Made Her Acting Debut in 2004
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At the height of her modeling career, Ufuoma decided to pursue an acting career. As a result, she joined Nollywood in 2004 and made her first film appearance in The President Must Die, directed by Zeb Ejiro. The following year, she landed her first lead role in Life and Death. However, she entered the spotlight following her role as Chibuzor in the Royal Roots Network series, Edge of Paradise.
Since her claim to fame, the actress has never looked back to date. Her versatility and apt character interpretation and delivery endeared her to Nollywood’s top filmmakers. She has starred in over 300 movies and TV shows. She has worked with several A-list actors and actresses, including Jim Iyke, Chioma Akpotha, Rita Dominic, Ini Edo, Desmond Elliot, Ramsey Nouah, Kate Henshaw, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, and many others.
Some of her most popular movies include After Party (2021). Merry Men 2, How to Save My Marriage (2018), Wives on Strike: The Revolution (2017), The Women (2017), Hear Word (2015), Wise In-Law (2010)e, My Mum And I (2009), etc.
She Has Won Several Awards and Nominations
Since her rise to fame, Ufuoma McDermott has written several awards in her name. Some of her awards include the following:
- Nigerian French Village Award for Fille Afraine (2023)
- Best Model by African Heart Foundation at The African Fashion Show (2007)
- Role. Model Award by the African Youth Society (2009)
- Delta Entertainment Awards for the Most Outstanding Actress (2015)
- City People’s Awards for Best Actress (2016)
Ufuoma’s Other Exploits Outside Acting
- She is a Reality TV Star and TV Show Host
Ufuoma launched a TV show, The USM Show with Ufuoma, in July 2019. The show featured live musical and comic performances from different Nigerian entertainers like Seyi Law and Teni. The actress showcased dance performances and launched her stage production with The Magic of a Dream, featuring Offiong Anthony, Chioma Akpotha, Femi Branch, and many others.
She hosted the red carpet for CNN Africa during the MIPAD (Most Influential People of African Descent), celebrating creative 100 and 100 under 40 in 2021. Before then, Ufuoma also served as a co-host at the NFF Aiteo Awards 2020, alongside AY Comedian.
- She is a Movie Director and Producer
Ufuoma McDermott branched out to movie production and directing in 2013. Her first project was Jungle Jewel. After that, she wrote the movie Christmas is Coming. However, the film was finally released ahead of the 2017 Christmas holidays. The following year, Ufuoma’s third movie, What Just Happened, hit the cinemas across Nigeria. With her diverse body of work, Ufuoma has continued to prove her relevance in the industry.
- Ufuoma McDermott is One of the Stars of The Travel Competition – The Dubai Girls
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While Ufuoma has continued to endear herself to her many fans worldwide, the actress, alongside three other big names in Nollywood viz Chioma Akpotha, Omoni Oboli, and Uche Jombo, has been making headlines through the travel competition dubbed The Dubai Girls.
The four Nollywood actresses partnered with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to organize the travel competition. It is a raffle draw competition where 12 successful candidates will win an all-expense paid trip to one of the world’s choice vacation spots, Dubai, in the company of their four favorite Nollywood stars.
Currently, in its third edition, the show premiered in 2018, and the second installment took place in 2019. With the recent announcement about the upcoming Dubai Girls trip this year, 12 winners will be selected on August 16, 2022, via an Instagram Live Session by the Dubai Girls.
To enter the contest, you must be 30 years old and above and must purchase a traveling ticket to Dubai between September 4 and November 15, 2022, from designated agents duly registered with the Dubai Tourism Department before August 12, 2022.
The Dubai Girls trip will commence on September 6 and end on September 11, 2022. Winners will get accommodation for two meals and other surprising activities organized by the Dubai Girls. Ufuoma and the other Dubai Girls have promised a fun-filled and unforgettable experience this year.
