Entertainment
Expose Of Nollywood Actress, Tonto Dike
Charity Tonto Dike, an A-
list Nollywood diva was born on June 9th 1985 in Port Harcourt, the River State Capital. The Ikwerre-born beautiful actress has other nicknames: Pokolee and Tontolet. She lost her mother when she was just three years old and was brought up by her father, Mr. Sunny Dike, with love and affection as she lacked nothing in her tender age.
After her primary and secondary education, she proceeded to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RUST), Port Harcourt, where she graduated with a B.Sc in Petrochemical Engineering.
In 2005, she competed against other contestants on a reality TV show called, “The Next Movie Star,” where she was the first runner-up while Kingsley Ogboson won the first position. Her second movie appearance was in “Holy cross” which also featured Nollywood stars such as Nonso Diobi, Pete Edochie, Jim Iyke, Desmond Elliot, Nkiru Sylvanus and Larry Cold Weath, amongst others.
This movie propelled her to stardom as more movie producers and directors were willing to cast her. Charity (Tonto) Dike’s role in the movie, “Dirty Secrets,” generated controversy amongst Nigerians because the movie contains nude scenes. While some criticize her role as being untraditional and un-African, others say she is merely being professional.
In January 2011, Dike took part in a charity fashion show in Lagos with Banky W., Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, among others. Tonto was known as a controversial actress in Nollywood as well as a chain smoker and had started smoking since the age of 14, but she stopped smoking after prayers with Pastor T.B. Joshua via his Christian television station, Emmanuel TV.
Tonto Dike has featured in countless movies among which are: “Tea or coffee (2006) “Pound and Dollars” (2006), “Missing Rib” (2007), “Divine Grace” (2007), “Final Hour” (2007), “7 Graves” (2007), “Crisis” in Paradise” (2007), “Insecurity” (2007), “Away Match” (2007), “Games Fools Play” (2007), Plain Truth” (2008), “Love My Way (2008), “Before The Fall” (2008), “Total Love” (2008). “Strength to Strength (2008), “Missing Child” (2009), “Native Son” (2009), “Dangerous Beauty” (2009), “My Fantasy” (2010), and “Dirty Secret” (2010), “Black Berry Babes,” Criminal Widow” 1&2 etc.
Others are:- “Zara”,
“Last Mission”, “Rush Hour,” “Fatal Mistake”, “Family Disgrace,” Miss Maradona,” “Mortal Desire”, Terror Of A Widow 3&4 .
Apart from acting, Tonto is also into music as some of her colleagues in the make believe industry, such as Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Kate Henshaw, Chioma Chukwuka-Apkota, Patience Ozokwor (Mama Gee), John Okafor/(Mr Ibu), Nkem Owoh (Osuofia) amongs others. She had once featured in a music owned by Amaco Investments where she and Patience Ozokwor were called to mime the song.
Tonto made her debute in the music industry by releasing singles which include Hi and Ht over featuring Snypa, while many lauded her efforts, the songs were trailed by controversy as critics especially questioned her vocal ability. Doubts were raised on whether her decision to try her hands on music was for the best.
Nevertheless, the songs enjoyed steady air play and massive downloads. Tonto showed she was not a guitar with the release of new single ‘crazicaly’ featuring Terry G, who was also the producers, then Jeje and then some more. On 13th June 2014, hip hop star, D’banj unveiled Tonto Dike under the artistes with his record label, DB records-Lee family. Other singles include ‘Ekebe’ and “Sugar rush.”
Though presently single, recent reports say the actress- cum singer’s romance with businessman, Churchill Ola Kunle Oladunni (Mr.X) may finally lead to the alter she is said to be wearing a ring on her engagement ring finger and during a recent interview, the “Dirty Secrets” Star confirmed that she would be getting married soon. According to our source, she might be opting for a low key wedding to avoid drama.