Yvonne Nelson (born 12 November 1985)[1][2] is a Ghanaian actress, model, film producer, author, entrepreneur and a former Miss Ghana Contestant.[3][4] She has starred in several movies, including House of Gold (2013), Any Other Monday, In April, and Swings, and appeared in the limelight of the movie industry with a role she played in the "Princess Tyra" and "Playboy" movies.[5][6][7][8] She has over 7.5M Followers on Instagram currently. With her surname as "Nelson", she is most likely to have a Tabom (Afro Brazilian) lineage. [9]
Early life
Yvonne Nelson was born in Accra, Ghana, even though she traces her roots back in Cape Coast. She is a descent of the Fante people.She remains the youngest of three siblings of her parents. Her mother is from Cape Coast in the Central Region and her dad comes from Ga from the Greater Accra Region, both in Ghana. She started her education at St. Martin De Porres School in Accra[10] and later went to Aggrey Memorial Senior High School. She had her tertiary education at Zenith University College and Central University, where she did a degree course in human resource management.[11][12] She graduated from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) with a master's degree in International Relations and Diplomacy in 2020.[13] Growing up, Yvonne Nelson hand an inseparable relationship with her mother. The relationship was bound by the fact that her father abandoned his family when she was young. She, therefore, grew up under the care of a single parent. This is why she always celebrate her mother on farhers' day.[14] Nelson founded the Yvonne Nelson Glaucoma Foundation in 2010 to help create awareness about the disease. As a result of her philanthropic activities particularly in glaucoma, she was honored by GoWoman Magazine and Printex for her foundation and film career. With support from other Ghanaian celebrities, she recorded an all-star charity single and shot a video to help educate people. She also shot a video to help educate people about glaucoma.[15]
Career
Nelson, a former Miss Ghana contestant, accidentally began her career when she went to her favorite place to watch an audition and the producer asked if she would like to perform. He later acquired her number after she rejected the offer. She featured in her first movie scene with big-screen roles in Princess Tyra in 2007 and Playboy in 2008.[10][16] She delved into movie production in 2011. Her first production was the movie titled “The Price”, which was released that same year.[10] She also produced “Single and Married” in 2012 and “House of Gold” in 2013.[17] The latter won Best Picture at the Ghana Movie Awards and Best Ghanaian Movie at the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards.[18] Nelson is regarded as one of the best Ghanaian actresses to ever grace the screens with her acting talent.
She started Heels and Sneakers, a television show centered on a group of young adults seeking happiness and the obstacles they face in pursuing good education, successful employment, and marriage.[19] The show started in 2018 and has two seasons.
On July 31st 2024, Yvonne Nelson Opened a new School by name Yvonne Nelson International School.[20][21]
On Sunday, 18 June 2023, Yvonne Nelson unveiled her controversial memoir titled "I Am Not Yvonne Nelson".[26] The memoir was unveiled at Peduase Valley Resort, drawing support from numerous industry figures, friends, and media personnel in attendance.[25]
Within a mere 24 hours of its release, the book swiftly climbed the ranks and secured its position among the best-selling titles on Amazon Books, being among the top twenty Arts and Entertainment Biographies.[25]
Yvonne Nelson's memoir delves into her unwavering determination to uncover the identity of her biological father, examines the intricacies of her relationship with her mother, and candidly explores her trials and tribulations in the realms of acting, dating, and beyond.[25][26]
Controversies
Yvonne Nelson received numerous accolades for her courage and willingness to share her personal experiences, while others expressed concerns about the book's cost, citing the high equivalent prices in euros and pounds as a barrier to affordability for some, especially some Ghanaians.[26]
Yvonne Nelson in her book shares a gripping account in her memoir that sheds light on her secret involvement with rapper Sarkodie. Detailing their sexual relationship, unplanned pregnancy, and its termination.[24][25] She also made known in her book that Iyanya, the Nigerian musician cheated on her with the actress, Tonto Dikeh.[27]
Personal life
On 29 October, 2017, Nelson gave birth to a daughter Ryn Roberts with her ex-boyfriend, Jamie Roberts; who was the former British photographer.[28][29][30] The actress remained silent about rumors of her pregnancy until she announced the birth of her daughter through a WOW Magazine Cover, this is because she rarely posts about the things that are dear to her.[31]
Philanthropy
Nelson founded the Yvonne Nelson Glaucoma Foundation in 2010[32][33] to help create awareness about the disease. With support from other Ghanaian celebrities, she recorded an all-star charity single and shot a video to help educate people. She also shot a video to help educate people about glaucoma.[18] As a result of her philanthropic activities particularly in glaucoma, she was honored by GoWoman Magazine and Printex for her foundation and film career.[34]
Campaign
On 17 May 2015, Nelson took it upon herself, together with other celebrities, to add more voices to the masses in protests against the energy crisis in her country.[35] She led a peaceful vigil called DumsorMustStop on 16 May 2015. The hashtag #dumsormuststop is currently used on social media to amplify the concerns of Ghanaians with regard to the energy crisis.[36] Yvonne, known to be very vocal lately about political issues in the country lamented the lack of development in Ghana since the country attained her independence in 1957.[37] She told the BBC in an interview that she may consider running for political office in the future.[38] Actress Yvonne Nelson tweeted that she is looking forward to the day Ghanaians would refuse to vote in presidential elections to send a message to politicians.[39]
On 30 April 2024, Yvonne made a call to the Ghanaian public to join her in a demonstration against the sitting government on the consistent dumsor (light outs) across the country.[40][41]
On 8 June 2024, Yvonne led the second vigil for the #dumsormuststop campaign against the government for the continuous lights out situation that the country continued to face[1][2] despite the police effort to thwart the vigil [4]
Recognition
In 2013, Yvonne was honored by GoWoman Magazine and Printex for her efforts in setting up the Glaucoma Foundation to fight the disease and her film career.
In 2018, Nelson was awarded a special award at the "MTN Heroes of Change" in recognition of her charity work in fighting glaucoma.[5][42]
Filmography
Nelson has featured in over 100 movies, including:
