Zainab Balogun

Zainab Balogun-Nwachukwu (born 10 October 1989) is a Nigerian actress, model and television presenter. She began modelling at an early age after being scouted at 16. She has been featured in several international campaigns for different brands. She co-founded The J-ist TV, an online entertainment web-series that highlights African culture and a range of topical issues; the series features interviews involving some of Africa's top personalities. Balogun also appears as a presenter and associate producer on Jumia TV, a teleshopping show.

Early life and career Balogun was born in London to Nigerian parents, where she was raised with a large extended family, predominantly in Clapham, a district of South West London. She is Yoruba from the Egba subgroup and claims descent from a family from Abeokuta, Ogun State. Due to the nature of her mother's work, she moved around a lot and spent most of her formative years growing up with relatives.

Balogun worked as a model after being scouted by Premier Models Management at the age of 16.

Personal life In May 2018, Balogun married Dikko Nwachukwu founder of Jetwest Airways. The pair were traditionally married on 13 May in Lagos, Nigeria.

Balogun splits her time between London, England and Lagos, Nigeria. According to an interview by Elowell Max, Balogun states she appreciates having lived in various cultures and that "something that comes from experiencing life in many different places."

Filmography

Television Year Title Role Notes 2012 The Charlatans Natalia 2012 Material Girl host 2012–present EL Now host, segment producer 2012–present The Spot host 2013 Knock Knock Hawa Webseries 2014 VHS: Music Artist Wannabe Skit herself webseries 2014 Verdict Lavena Johnson webseries 2014–present Jumia TV host, associate producer 2015– Before 30 Fast Girl, Ekua TBA The Island Teni Bowen Cole

Film Year Title Role Notes 2011 The Dark Knight Rises Dancer Featured role 2012 Cocktail Party Guest Featured role 2015 A Soldier's Story Angela Supporting 2016 The Wedding Party Wonu Supporting Ojukokoro (Greed) Entreat Linda

Awards and nominations