Chika Ike was born in Onitsha, Anambra state, located in the southeastern region of Nigeria. She began acting in church plays at the age of six. Ike began modelling at age 16 after finishing secondary school.[1] She started business at age 17.[2] In 2004, Ike completed a two-year diploma programme in Human Kinetics and Health Education, followed by a degree in this subject from University of Lagos.
Ike's career accelerated in 2005 after starring in the movie Bless The Child.[2]
In 2014, she graduated from the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, California where she studied film-making.[3] She founded her production company, Chika Ike Production in 2014.[2]
Film and television career
Ike began her film career in 2005 when she played a minor character in the movie Sweet Love. She got her first major role that same year in a movie titled Bless the Child and has since played major roles in over a hundred movies, such as Paradise, Mirror of Beauty, To Love a Stranger, Girls Got Reloaded, Happy Ending, Yes We Will, Anointed Queen and The Prince and the Princess.[4]
In 2007, Mirror of Beauty was shown in Cineworld and Odeon cinemas across the U.K and in 2008 it was selected and screened at the Cannes film festival.[5][6]
Her production company, Chika Ike Production produced her first movie Miss Teacher in 2014, and her reality TVgame showAfrican Diva Reality TV Show of which she is the executive producer, host and a member of the judging panel.[7]
The first season aired on DStv and the second season aired on AIT.[8][9] In 2015, she collaborated with Rok Studios to produce movies Happy Ending and Stuck on You.[10]
Chika is also a writer. Her debut book Boss Up was endorsed by the Harvard Business School.[2]
Philanthropy
Ike established the foundation Help the Child which is aimed at helping poor children. In 2012, she threw a street party where she hosted over 3000 children, feeding them and giving out toys, school bags and writing materials. Every year she organizes a major charity event for the children on the street, provides scholarships, and provides them with school writing materials.[11]
Fashion career
In 2011, Ike founded her fashion line Fancy Nancy and launched it in Abuja, Nigeria.[12][13]
Personal life
Ike has been outspoken on abusive relationships, having been a victim of domestic violence. In 2013, she opened up about how she was domestically abused in her past marriage. She filed for divorce in 2013 after 7years of marriage [2][14] She eventually announced through her Facebook page that she was officially divorced, which upset some of her fans.[15]
She has a real estate project titled The Maison. [16] The housing project is designed to meet the home ownership needs of people.[16]
She was admitted into the Executive MBA Programme in Harvard University in 2017.[2]
Awards and recognition
Ike has received several awards and nominations for her work, including the Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Upcoming Actress, 2008, and the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 2009 for her performance in the movie "The Assassin".[4]
