Tonto Dikeh

Tonto Wigo Charity Dikeh-Churchill (born 9 June 1985), also known as Tonto Dike, is a Nigerian actress, singer, and philanthropist. Dikeh hails from Rivers State and is of the Ikwerre tribe.

In 2005, she competed against other contestants on a reality TV show called The Next Movie Star; she was the first runner-up. Dikeh's appearance on the show was as a means of getting closer to the "big time", she says, and her start in the Nigerian movie industry came soon after.

Dikeh says that after her second movie Holy Cross, more movie directors and producers were willing to cast her, and she has appeared in scores of movies since. Dikeh's role in the movie Dirty Secret has generated controversy amongst Nigerians, because the movie contains nude scenes. While some criticised her role for being untraditional and un-African, others said that Dikeh was merely being professional.

In January 2011, Dikeh took part in a charity fashion show in Lagos with Banky W., Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and others.

After enjoying acting several movies, Dikeh decided to try her hand in music though she had once featured in a music video owned by Amaco investments where she and Patience Ozokwor were called to mime the song.

She made her debut by releasing singles 'Hi' and 'Itz Ova' feat Snypa. While many lauded her effort, 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 airplay and massive downloads. Dikeh showed she was not a quitter with the release of a new single 'Crazically fit' featuring Terry G, who was also the producer, then Jeje and then some more. On 13 June 2014, Pop star D'banj, unveiled Dikeh under the artistes with his record label DB Records' LEE family. She announced her departure from DB records in March 2015.

Dikeh was born into the family of seven, she lost her mother at the age of 3. Dikeh is the 3rd child out of her 5 siblings, and two siblings from her step-mother. Dikeh studied Petrochemical Engineering in the prestigious Rivers State University of Science and Technology. In August 2015 Tonto traditionally married Oladunni Churchill who is the nephew of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. In February 2016, she welcomed her first child, (Andre Omodayo Churchill). In June 22, 2016, Tonto Dikeh celebrated her Instagram followers after she clocked One Million followers on the picture sharing platform.

• Best Actress @ The Future Awards 2012 (winner)
• Best Actress @ the Afro Hollywood Awards 2012 (nominated)
• Best Actress in a supporting role @ the BON Awards 2012 (winner)
• Exquisite Lady of the Year Awards 2013 (winner)
• Female Viewers Choice @ the GIAMA AWARDS 2014 (winner)
• Most Fashionable Female celebrity @ the Lagos fashion awards 2014 (winner)
• Most fashionable actress of the year @ the Lagos Fashion Awards 2015 (winner)
• Best Actress @ the Peace Ambassador Award 2016 (Winner)
• Outstanding African Actress for charity work @ the Independence Awards 2016 (Winner)
• Most Inspiring female celebrity in philanthropy @ The Nigerian Achievers Award 2016

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