Before the advent of on-screen divas like Adesua Etomi, Linda Ejiofor and Beverly Naya, Nollywood had some pretty damsels that we couldn't help but fall in love with.

We identified with their struggles, shared in their triumphs and enjoyed their mischief. So, in support of the male thread, here are 10 Nollywood sweethearts of old.

Bear in mind, this is a far more difficult list to compile than the male list, because there were so many brilliant actresses from the old Nollywood that so many of us loved, but this is my Top 10 Nollywood Sweethearts


10. Sandra Achums


Who did Sandra not deal with back in her day? Sandra was so good at what she did, she struck the fear of God in anyone. She was as relentless as they came. Even the notorious Patience Ozokwor was a victim of Sandra'a cruelty at some point, but just as she could be evil, Sandra could also be compassionate.

She was your bubbly girl-next-door with a screw loose. She would pull you in with her charm, only to set a trap for you for talking to her man. She was one of few Nollywood bad girls in a period filled with syrupy sweethearts and she always brought her A-game. Till tomorrow, I'll never forget her role in Wages of Sin alongside Chinyere Wilfred, when she denied her mother because she had severe burns.




9. Rita Dominic



Numerous people fell in love with Rita at various stages in her career, some might have been thw period she pkayed Pat Attah's love interest, most, when she and Jim Iyke were constantly cast alongside each other, and a few others, like me, a little later, when she featured in a cult classic, Girls Cot, but at any point one must have finally rated Rita, one thing was for certain; her skin has always been goals.

Rita has to have the most beautiful skin in Nollywood, that glow is unmatched and for many years, movie lovers have not only enjoyed her acting, we have done so, while admiring that gorgeous skin. Rita's passion is a thing of joy to watch,her delivery faultless and her carriage, enviable. She's always been the cool girl we would love to hang out with, and she is one of few who have managed to constantly reinvent herself irrespective of the times.

Rita is one veteran actress that doesn't seem ready to slow down anytime soon, having diversified into production and we hope to keep seeing more of her




8. Bimbo Akintola



One of the most seductive women to grace the industry, Bimbo was the original hourglass, sex symbol of Hollywood, before Mercy Johnson. She was bold and captivating and knew just how to steal anyone's man with little to no effort.

Bimbo was the woman who showed us that a woman could live by her own rules and shouldn't settle at all, rather than settle for less, and she may have given pointers to a few ladies on how to wrap a man around your fingers, if in doubt, ask RMD . She was queen in an era of aristos and a gem to Nollywood.




7. Stephanie Okereke-Linus



Not only did she come with a pretty face, a hot body and a great height, Stephanie was also a major badass in Nollywood.

Aside Regina Askia, Stephanie is one lady that knew how to jump off buildings and give the cops a good chase. One of few female action stars, she kicked ass brilliantly.

When Stephanie wasn't leading detectives off her trail in More Than A Woman, she was being a source of comfort, or using guys for her own selfish gains. So much of a professional, she still made time to shoot movies while still recovering from her unfortunate 2004 accident.

These days, Stephanie has left our screens to focus on the humanitarian side of her and work with some big wigs in the world, but she will always be our bike-riding, ass-kicking heroine.

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6. Kate Henshaw

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The ultimate Nollywood sweetheart, Kate's superpower had to be her blinding, contagious smile. Whenever Kate smiled, we all smiled with her, no wonder Do Good was so smitten by her in Candlelight.

Kate Henshaw was Nollywood's Ray of Sunshine, she was the girl who made it easy to fall in love with her. She had so much charm, so much beauty, she just lit up the screen whenever she came on. Whether she was the illiterate, naive girl from Akwa-Ibom, or Ramsey's love interest, she pulled us in with her and we couldn't help but fall for her.

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5. Stella Damasus



One of the original Nollywood divas, Stella brought us some major on-screen hits, mostly, alongside her constant on-screen lover, RMD, who might as well have been married to her, considering all the times they were a movie couple.

Stella was quite the emotional actress, she could cry so well, you'd end up crying with her. Didn't matter if she was mourning her late husband, or a child, Stella had an uncanny ability to create raw emotions, to pull you in and wish you could comfort her. She was suited most for the homely role amd always executed it brilliantly. She was also blessed with a heartwarming smile, that could make anyone smile no matter how hard a day they had.

These days, Stella lives in the US with her controversially acquired husband and kids, but she will always be RMD's onscreen love interest to us.




4. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde



Omosexy, one of the sexiest women in Nollywood and a legend in her own right, Omotola has had a long-lasting career in the industry, and it is in no small thanks, to her amazing acting skills.

She could be a caring mother, a wicked sibling, a nonchalant friend, a difficult boss, but whatever she was, she took us along for the ride and enraptured us. Talk and incredibly pretty, Omotola has been on our screens since she was 18, and we have loved every minute of her presence.

One of her mkst memorable movies for me, aside Blood Sister, has to be Market Seller where she played Patience Ozokwor's daughter, who she terribly misled into prositution. Aside the catchy song, Omotola's ability to play the role of Angelica toperfection, is one, not many actresses possess and her massive fanbase will be grateful for every moment she remains on our screens



3. Regina Askia-Williams

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Regina was the babe every guy wanted to get with at some point. Pretty, light-skinned, hazel eyes, she was a babe and damn if she didn't know it.

In her brief time in Nollywood, Regina rose to be one of the most iconic and prominent on screen goddesses of her time. She was daring, she was exotic, she was tough and she was incredibly smart. One of few women to have starred in an action-movie with an all female robbery gang, Regina was that badass Nollywood hadn't seen in her time.

While she must have had a good time jumping off bridges and landing on trailers in Most Wanted, she must have felt challenged in Festival of Fire, where she had to be the head of a contingency of Reverend Sisters, battling a community's sadistic beliefs. Her versatility is something rarely found in today's Nollywood and Regina will always remain iconic to many.




2. Genevieve Nnaji



Naija's Sharon Stone. The diva that keeps getting better and never slows down, Genevieve has spent almost two decades on our screens, but her movies are evergreen irrespective of the time.

Dark, slender and absolutely stunning, Genny is the stuff of dreams. She constantly captured our attention onscreen, pulling emotions that many didn't think they had in them. Whether she was the evil sister in Blood Sister, the embattled daughter in My Beloved, the stubborn princess in Warrior's Heart, or the elusive woman in Butterfly, Genevieve has always brought her A-game to her characters and left viewers unsure of where they stood with her.

Easily, one of the best actresses to ever grace Nollywood, and with over three hundred movies to show for her dexterity, Genevieve keeps on reinventing herself in Nollywood and we know we'll be seeing he for a long long time.




1. Liz Benson

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The original Glamour Girl and Domitila takes a hard fought top spot on this list. I doubt you will find anyone in Nigeria who has a bad word to say of Liz Benson and her acting. She was imoeccable and faultless in our eyes.

She was the top of the line actress, as good as they came, Liz coukd be meek on one hand and sultry on the other. She could be the troublemaker, or the peacwmaker.....and all while carrying herself with the grace of royalty. Liz Benson had an uncanny way of keeping viewers spellbound with her wit and words. She had so many in awe of her person, it was impossible to not like her.

Miss Benson had onscreen charisma like no other, and we still miss her on our screens.



Worthy Mentions


Nkiru Sylvanus




Oge Okoye



Ini Edo



Uche Jumbo



Dakore Akande

Phew! Is it just me or is it hot in here? Safari just returned me to the young boy with major crushes. Me and my polygamous marriage with Rita, Genny and Sandra
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OP i love your few articles I have read. You write so well

izzou:


Iyeme eh, oh iyemeeee
Iyeme eh, oh iyemeeee
In this life, you reap what you sow oh oh
Iyeme eh, oh iyemeee

Liz Benson na my crush that year

I just don't know why I liked her. I wish one badass producer will just drop a movie that will feature some of this legends.

You just made me remember the good old days...... Chai.....

Something like ... You and I will live as one *2... You and I *2 ... You and I will live as one...

I wish I can turn back the hand of time... I missed those days...

When u see starring names like : Kanayo o Kanayo, Zack Orji, Pete Edochie, Liz Benson, Eucharia, Alex Osifo, Bob Emmanuel, Segun Arinze, Saint Obi etc..... My people just know say things don set...

My Crush amongst those names up there is - Regina Askia from the movie (Full Moon)

Oops

Nostalgic!
That picture with young innocent Genevieve.
You never know how far the little things you do can take you.

Na this kind post be front page material!!! Not all those B. S that keeps getting here.

Susan Patrick

My most memorable movie by Sandra achums is 'love without language'...where she played a village girl alongside okey bakassi and tarila Thompson I think...I still remember the scene were her fork fell to the floor and she said "fork me down" ....chaii those were the days...

Chai wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow

Stella Damascus any day anytime

I saw Nkiru (ble ble the cry cry girl) recently.
. Mennn she Don fine pass that pic up there

What I liked most about bimbo is her impeccable command of English..her diction and intonation were always topnotch...

AkpaMgbor:
My most memorable movie by Sandra achums is 'love without language'...where she played a village girl alongside okey bakassi and tarila Thompson I think...I still remember the scene were her fork fell to the floor and she said "fork me down" ....chaii those were the days...

Apple and akpu

Instead of saying apple � she said akpu

Regina Askia �

AK481:


Apple and akpu

Instead of saying apple � she said akpu

My guy you don old!

CChillz:
OP i love your few articles I have read. You write so well

thanks a lot dear, this means so much to me

I'll be making this a multi-part series dedicated mostly to the old Nollywood, so, there certainly is, more to come next weekend.

Of all of them Stella Damasus is crushing on me. I like her acting in one film with Ramsey Noah that year. She fell in love with me after that.

nicepoker101:
Susan Patrick

To think Susan and her gap tooth wasn’t mentioned. This list is hereby declared inconclusive.

izzou:


Iyeme eh, oh iyemeeee
Iyeme eh, oh iyemeeee
In this life, you reap what you sow oh oh
Iyeme eh, oh iyemeee

Liz Benson na my crush that year

I just don't know why I liked her. I wish one badass producer will just drop a movie that will feature some of this legends.

I was watching this movie on AIT on a Saturday afternoon many years ago and Nepa took light...I can never forget that song

Genevieve!!!! Melanin popping!!!!

I saw Stephanie Okereke at Tinapa Resort, Calabar. Men, she is about 6ft+ tall.

My crush

You did not place them well.
Ini does not belong in this group
Even Rita and uche.
Due honours to the oldies pls

Stephanie should be replaced with Ini edo

safarigirl

Add Susan Peters, please.

Thanks

All good, but why Eucharia Anunobi is absent on this list I can not comprehend

alfredilly:
All good, but why Eucharia Anunobi is absent on this list I can not comprehend

I really battked with Eucharia on the list....wanted to include her, even if it was in worthy mentions, but never got around to doing it.


There are so many of them, not just her. Uche Osotule, Ayo Adesanya, Rita Nzelu, Victoria Inyama, even the lead actress from Nneka the Pretty Serpent, I thought of her as well, but I had to choose a few.

Can't modify the post at this point

But Bimbo Akintola, omg. She blew my mind off in "out of bound" where she enslaved the pastor RMD with her seductive charm. And Stella Damasus who walked into the church and took a place in front seat while RMD was preaching, na so pastor forgot sermon o.