Yvonne Cherrie (also known as Monalisa, born August 19, 1981) is a Tanzanian actress.[1][2] In 2010 she won Zanzibar International Film Festival for the 'Best Actress' award.[3] She was also nominated for 2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Pan African Actress Of The Year.[4] She is cited as one of the best actresses and pioneers in the movie industry of Tanzania.[2] She is also the founder of Act With Monalisa foundation which focus on to mentor and support young Tanzanian women with acting career guidance and a platform to showcase their talents[5] and Director of African Women Arts and Film Festival (AWAFFEST).[6]
Yvonne Cherrie | |
|---|---|
| Born | Cherrie Y. K. Salehe August 19, 1981 |
| Nationality | Tanzanian |
| Other names | Monalisa |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1998-present |
| Spouse | George Tyson Akinyi (2001-2005) |
| Children |
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| Parent |
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| Website | instagram |
Early life and education
Cherrie was born on August 19, 1981, at Muhimbili, the national hospital of Tanzania. Her mother, Suzan Lewis, is also an actress.
She had her early education at Luanda, Angola where her father was working; she later returned to Tanzania and started her primary education at Muungano Primary School in Temeke, Dar Es Salaam and she had secondary education at Zanaki Girls High School before heading to Tanzania Public Service College where she studied secretarial studies.
In 2002 she joined British Council Tanzania for Pre Advance level to study English language course, and after that she joined Wilnag Media Training College in Nairobi where she graduated with a diploma in mass communication.[2]
Career
She got her nickname “Monalisa” from her 1998 performance as a young lady, struggling to reconcile her life with her multiple lovers, in the series Mambo Hayo.[1] In 2002 Monalisa made her first feature film debut in the film called Girlfriend where she played as Tumpale a TID'S girlfriend Tumpale who is forced to turn her life around after being kicked out by her dad . She then played roles in many movies, such as Sabrina (2003), Dilemma (2004), She Is My Sister (2006), Kwa Heshima Ya Penzi, Binti Nusa and Network. One of her notable performances is from Black Sunday that earned her the 'Best Actress' award for the 2010 Zanzibar International Film Festival[7] and nomination for Pan African Actress of The year 2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[4]
Filmography
TV series
| Year | Name | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Mambo Hayo | Monalisa | Television: Independent Television Tanzania (ITV). Cast:Jacob Steven(Jb), Single Mtambalike (Richie), Bishanga, Waridi and Cathy |
| 2013-2015 | Siri Ya Mtungi | Lulu | Produced by Media for Development International. Television: East Africa Television (EATV) and TV 1 |
| 2014-2015 | Tanzania Movie Talents | Judge | Acting Competition aired on ITV |
| 2021 | Sinia | Rosemary Venus | Aired on Maisha Magic Bongo (Dstv Channel) |
Stage Plays
| Year | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2000-2001 | The Government Inspector | Bagamoyo Arts and Culture Festival |
| 2002 | Zawadi Ya Ushindi | Zanzibar International Film Festival |
| 2003 | The Song Of Lawino | Little Theatre (Tanzania) |
| Don't Dress For Dinner | Russian Cultural Centre (Tanzania) | |
| Kiu | Kenya National Theatre | |
| A Man of the people |
Film
| Year | Name | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Girlfriend | Tumpale | Cast: TID, AY, Crazy Gk and Nina |
| 2003 | Sabrina | Sabrina | |
| 2004 | Dilemma | ||
| 2006 | She Is My Sister | Rose | With Steven Kanumba Mercy Johnson, Nkiru Sylvanus. |
| 2007 | Kwa Heshima Ya Penzi | Miranda | With Jacob Steven and Single Mtambalike |
| Chanzo Ni Mama | Cast :Deogratiua Shija, Suzan Lewis | ||
| 2008 | Binti Nusa part 1 | Malaika | With Suzan Lewis, Hashimu Kambi |
| Kaburi Moja | with Hemedi Suleiman | ||
| Behind The Scenes | Carey | With Vincent Kigosi, Blandina Chagula, Suzan Lewis | |
| 2009 | Jeraha La Ndoa | Rehema | With Haji Adam, Bakari Makuka |
| Wrong Number | With Riyama Ally, Hemedi Suleiman, Gadner Habash | ||
| Cellular | With Thea,Sajuki | ||
| 2010 | Binti Nusa 2& 3 | Malaika | with Suzan Lewis, Elizabeth Chijumba, Hashim Kambi |
| Black Sunday | Sharon | with Steven Kanumba, Aunty Ezekiel, Yusuph Mlela | |
| Payback | Rebecca | With Steven Kanumba and Yusuph Mlela | |
| Maza House | With Suzan Lewis,Deogratius Shida | ||
| 2011 | 38 Weeks[8] | With Haji Salum (Mboto) | |
| Pastor Myamba,The trial[9] | Sarah | With Emmanuel Myamba. | |
| 2012 | Tell Me The Truth[10] | ||
| Chai Moto[11] | Jeniffer Mgendi, Mussa Banzi, Christina Matai & Juma Mtima | ||
| Uyoga[12] | With Single Mtambalike | ||
| Ujinga Wangu[13] | Ritha | With Hemedi Suleiman and Haji Salum (Mboto) | |
| 2013 | Dakika Ya Mwisho[14] | With Niva | |
| Five Girls[15] | With Grace Mapunda and Hashimu Kambi. | ||
| In Between[16] | With Suzan Lewis, Haji Salum (Mboto) | ||
| Sistahili Kusamehewa | With Patcho Mwamba, Alex Wasponga, Suleiman Barafu, Mohamed Fungafunga | ||
| Mwisho Wa Siku[17] | With Lucy Komba, Victor Mwikala, Jennifer Kakolaki | ||
| Hidden Treasure[18] | With Bad Boy, Mohammed Yondo | ||
| Daladala[19] | Casts: Suleiman Barafu, Amri Athuman (King Majuto) | ||
| 2014 | Damian[20] | Monalisa | Casts: Hashim Kambi (Dr.ambi), Jemedari Gwatwambilileghe (Damian) |
| Bana Congo[21] | With Haji Salum (Mboto) | ||
| Network[22] | Detective Elizabeth | With Brian Ibrick, Simon Mwakafamba, Shikunzi Haonga, Charles Rom | |
| 2015 | Umuhimu Wako | With Rose Ndauka, Suzan Lewis, Raheem | |
| 2016 | Daddy's Wedding | With Sandra Temu, Banana Zoro, Raheem |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Kiu Media Awards | Queen Of Bongo Movies | Herself | Won[23] |
| 2010 | Zanzibar International Film Festival | Best Actress | Black Sunday | Won[3] |
| Filamu Central Best Of 2010 | Best Actress | Binti Nusa | Won[24] | |
| 2011 | 2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Pan African Actress Of The Year | Black Sunday | Nominated[25] |
| 2015 | Tanzania Film Awards | Best Actress In A Leading Role | Daddy's Wedding | Nominated[26] |
| Tribute Award(Media) | Filamonata (With Suzan Lewis) | Nominated | ||
| 2018 | The African Prestigious Awards (Ghana) | Best Female Movie Star | Herself | Won[27] |