Stella Damasus

Born: 1978-04-24 (age 48)
Birthplace: Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Occupation: Businesswoman, Brand Ambassador, Brand Influencer, Cultural Advocate, Entertainer, Entrepreneur, Film Producer, Founder, Humanitarian, Life Coach, Media Consultant, Media Entrepreneur, Media Personality, Motivational Speaker, Actress, Philanthropist, Podcaster, Presenter, Public Speaker, Publisher, Singer, Social Advocate, Television Personality, Tv Host, Tv Presenter, Voice-over Actor, Voice-over Artist, Women’s Rights Advocate
Spouse: Jaiye Aboderin (m. 1999; died 2004), Emeka Nzeribe (m. 2007; divorced after 7 months), Daniel Ademinokan (m. 2014; divorced 2020)
Alma Mater: University of Lagos

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Career Stats

Stable

Movies: 1
Lead Roles: 1

Career Overview

Stella Damasus has 1 film credits since 2026 .

Peak: 2026

Role Distribution

Actress×1

Genre Breakdown

Drama

Romance

Biography

EARLY LIFE

Stella Damasus was born on April 24, 1978, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. She hails from Asaba, in Oshimili South Local Government Area, Delta State. From a young age, Stella displayed exceptional artistic abilities. She was particularly drawn to performance and public speaking, often participating in school plays, church choir activities, and debate competitions. Her early exposure to creative arts not only strengthened her confidence but also sowed the seeds for her eventual career in Nollywood and beyond. She completed her primary and secondary education in Delta State, excelling academically while nurturing her passion for the performing arts. After obtaining her Senior Secondary School Certificate, she gained admission to the University of Lagos, where she studied Theatre Arts. Her time at the university was pivotal; it provided her with formal training in acting, stagecraft, and screen production. During her undergraduate years, she actively participated in stage performances and drama workshops, which helped refine her natural talent and positioned her as a rising star in the Nigerian entertainment space. In addition to her academic training, Stella also studied voice and music production, which complemented her later career as a singer and music director. Her education laid a solid foundation for the diversity and longevity of her contributions to the entertainment industry, enabling her to succeed not only as an actress but also as a vocalist, filmmaker, media entrepreneur, and advocate.

CAREER

Stella Damasus began her professional career in the early 1990s as a studio session singer at Klink Studios in Lagos, Nigeria. There, she provided jingles and voiceovers for radio and television commercials. Her remarkable vocal range and emotional delivery made her a sought-after voice talent long before she became a household name in Nollywood. Her breakthrough into acting came in 1992 when she was cast in a minor role in the movie Abused. However, it wasn’t until the mid to late 1990s that she began gaining recognition in the Nigerian film industry. With a blend of striking on-screen presence and natural dramatic expression, Stella began to earn attention for roles that showcased her depth and emotional range. During this period, she also built a reputation for portraying strong, multidimensional female characters, often with a mix of vulnerability and resilience. The early 2000s marked Stella Damasus’s emergence as one of Nollywood’s most bankable and respected leading ladies. She achieved widespread fame through a string of successful films including: Real Love (2003), Dangerous Twins (2004), Kings Pride, Behind Closed Doors, Emotional Pain. She starred alongside top male actors such as Richard Mofe-Damijo, Desmond Elliot, and Ramsey Nouah, further cementing her place as a star. Her performance in Behind Closed Doors and The Intruder showcased her ability to embody emotionally intense roles, often revolving around themes of betrayal, family tension, and romantic turmoil. In 2006, she earned her first major award nomination at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for Best Actress in a Leading Role, validating her status as a critically acclaimed performer. This period saw Stella expanding her role within the creative industry. In 2007, she won Best Actress at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in New York, a recognition that amplified her international visibility. She also began exploring roles as a film producer, director, and advocate for women’s empowerment. In 2011, she starred in and co-produced the romantic drama Two Brides and a Baby, which became a box-office success and earned her the Best Actress award at the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA) in Houston. She co-founded Index Two Studios with filmmaker Daniel Ademinokan, under which she produced several short films and advocacy projects tackling gender-based violence, child rights, and women’s issues. Her performances during this era became more selective and purpose-driven, reflecting a matured artistic vision. Her evolving filmography included: Widow, State of the Heart, Two Brides and a Baby, My Private Part. From 2013 onward, Stella began focusing more on advocacy, international collaborations, and capacity building for creatives. After relocating to the United States, she became a visible voice in the African diaspora community. She established ADIVA Networks, which publishes ADIVA Magazine, and created digital platforms such as: Undiluted with Stella Damasus (a talk show), An Actor’s Playhouse (an acting academy and mentorship initiative), MON AFRIK TV (a Pan-African media platform), i2Radio (a web-based radio station). During this time, she became a Women’s Rights advocate and joined the team at Women for Women International, using her voice and network to campaign for gender equity and access to education across Africa. She also authored the book Màmá, It’s A Girl, a fictional narrative that touches on cultural expectations surrounding female children in African societies. In recent years, Stella has made a notable return to acting, appearing in new-generation Nollywood films and web series that cater to evolving audiences. Her recent appearances include: Gone (2021), Between, Akwụna (2022), Stay (2022). These roles reflected her continued commitment to socially conscious storytelling, often revolving around migration, trauma, identity, and second chances. She also remains active on YouTube, sharing personal vlogs, motivational content, and industry insights through her series Stella Damasus Diaries. Through public speaking engagements, virtual masterclasses, and online interviews, she continues to mentor young actors and media entrepreneurs. Despite various personal and professional transitions, Stella Damasus remains an enduring figure in the Nigerian and African entertainment space, a multifaceted woman whose career has spanned singing, acting, production, writing, and humanitarian work for over three decades.

PERSONAL LIFE

Stella Damasus’s personal life has been a journey defined by love, loss, resilience, and growth. While her career has kept her in the limelight, it is often her off‑screen experiences—marked by moments of joy, controversy, and vulnerability—that have drawn the attention of the public, reflecting the same emotional depth she brings to her roles. In 1999, Stella married Jaiye Aboderin, a respected entertainment executive and businessman. Together, they built a home admired across Nigeria’s entertainment industry and welcomed two daughters. Tragedy, however, struck in December 2004 when Jaiye suddenly collapsed and died of cardiac arrest at the age of 33. The devastating loss profoundly affected Stella. Even years later, Stella continues to honor his memory, noting that his death reshaped her spiritually and emotionally, leaving a lasting imprint on her life. Stella Damasus is a proud mother of two daughters, both from her marriage to the late Jaiye Aboderin: Izabella (Izzy or Izzy Belle) Aboderin and Angelica Aboderin, who graduated from Columbia University. Both daughters remain a central part of Stella’s life. In 2007, Stella remarried Emeka Nzeribe, a Lagos-based legal practitioner. The marriage was short-lived and ended in less than a year. Her most controversial relationship was with filmmaker Daniel Ademinokan, ex-husband of actress Doris Simeon. Their relationship became public around 2011, prompting media backlash and social media criticism. Stella and Daniel got married around 2014 and relocated to the United States, where they began joint media ventures. The union lasted until around 2020, after which Stella disclosed in 2023 that she had learned of her divorce “online”, a claim her ex-husband publicly refuted. Stella is the proud mother of two daughters, both of whom she has raised largely out of the spotlight. Stella Damasus was born into a close-knit and disciplined Nigerian family. Her father, Chief S.K.C. Damasus, was a respected banker and a former soldier during the Nigerian Civil War. Originally bearing the surname Ojukwu, the family changed it to Damasus during the war. Chief Damasus passed away in January 2010. Her mother, whose name she has chosen to keep private, was also a banker. She passed away in January 2022. Stella is the fourth child in a family of six children; five girls and one boy. Heartbreak visited the family early when her only brother died of an asthma attack in 1991. Faith plays a central role in Stella’s life. A devout Christian, she often shares inspirational messages, scripture, and gospel music through her social media channels and YouTube series. She’s actively involved in church ministry. Stella Damasus currently resides in the United States, where she continues her media work, public speaking, and acting. She maintains close ties to Nigeria, frequently traveling between both countries. She lives a relatively private life today, focusing on family, healing, and legacy-building. One of the most enduring and widely publicized controversies involving Stella Damasus was her relationship and eventual marriage to film director Daniel Ademinokan, the ex-husband of actress Doris Simeon. The relationship, which became public in the early 2010s, sparked an intense backlash from fans and the Nollywood community, with many accusing Stella of being a “homewrecker.” Although Stella and Daniel initially kept their relationship secret, their relocation to the United States together, coupled with joint projects and interviews, confirmed the romantic speculation. This generated heated conversations online, especially because Daniel and Doris had a son together, and Doris claimed she was denied access to the child after Daniel took him to the U.S. Stella consistently defended herself, denying claims that she broke any home or snatched anyone’s husband. In 2020, it became apparent that Stella Damasus and Daniel Ademinokan had quietly separated after several years of marriage. The divorce itself remained relatively low-key until 2023, when Stella made headlines by revealing that she learned about the end of the marriage “online” and was blindsided by the breakup. This triggered a dramatic response from Daniel Ademinokan, who took to social media to dispute her claims. In June 2025, Stella again stirred public debate after an interview in which she criticized Hollywood’s casting expectations for African actors. She argued that many African actors were being sidelined for not fitting into stereotypical molds. Stella has frequently posted religious content and motivational videos on her YouTube and Instagram pages. However, her strong religious stance sometimes clashes with her past personal choices in the eyes of critics. There have also been rumors of fallout with some Nollywood colleagues, particularly during her relocation to the United States and transition to digital media. Stella Damasus has consistently used her platform to champion social justice, women’s rights, and youth empowerment across Africa and within the diaspora. One of her most impactful contributions is the Stella Damasus Arts Foundation (SDAF), a non-profit organization she founded with the mission to empower underprivileged youths through the performing arts. Stella has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights, particularly in the areas of gender-based violence, reproductive rights, and girl-child education. She co-created Mix Match, a web series that explores themes of love, trauma, betrayal, and personal healing. Stella Damasus is a recognized Global Ambassador for Women for Women International, a U.S.-based humanitarian organization that supports marginalized women survivors of war and conflict. As the founder of ADIVA Networks, Stella promotes women’s leadership in media, entrepreneurship, and community building. Stella launched An Actor’s Playhouse, a talent-building academy for aspiring actors. Stella has represented Nigeria and African women at several international conferences, including The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Women4Africa Conference, UK, Global Black Women Conference, Atlanta, and African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO) Summits. Her philanthropic focus areas include women’s rights and advocacy, girl-child education, creative arts training for youth, domestic violence and trauma recovery, women in media and entrepreneurship, and post-war rehabilitation for women survivors.