Nadia Buari (born November 21, 1982) is a Ghanaian actress. She received two nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2009.
Early life
Nadia Buari was born in the oil city of Ghana, Sekondi-Takoradi to a Lebanese father and a Ghanaian mother. She attended Mfantsiman Girls’ Secondary School in the Central Region and then studied Performing Arts at the University of Ghana. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA degree). Throughout her time at the University of Ghana, she was actively involved in drama and dance clubs.
Career
Nadia Buari premiered on Ghanaian national television with the TV series Games People Play in late 2005. Her first major film was Mummy’s Daughter, after which, she starred in Beyonce: The President’s Daughter. Her role as “Beyonce” was her major breakthrough. Her movie career began with her playing a role in the TV series Games People Play in 2005, which she got nominated for best actress. She has starred in more than 20 movies.
In 2013, she came out with her own movie called The Diary of Imogene Brown.
The celebrated Actress for the first time acted alongside Ghanaian Kumawood actress and TV personality, Nana Ama McBrown in movie called Coming Africa: Welcome to Ghana in 2023.
Nollywood breakthrough and success
Buari moved from Ghanaian films to Nollywood films around the year 2008. Her breakthrough role in Nollywood was in the film Beyonce & Rihanna as Beyonce alongside Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde who played Rihanna. The film became very popular to both Ghanaian and Nigerian audience. Her other notable Nollywood films include Rough Rider, Beauty and the Beast, Holding Hope and Single and Married.
She is also known for co-starring in films with Nollywood actor Jim Iyke, which has also received attention. Films include the Beyonce & Rihanna film series, Hot Romance and Behind a Smile.
In 2013, she won the Pan African Actress award at the annual Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA Awards) in New York City.
Other work
Buari became an ambassador at Tablet India Limited (TIL) in 2013.
Personal life
In 2019, Buari revealed in an interview that she is married and has four children. Her siblings are Malik Buari, Ayisha Buari, Shaida Buari, Jameel Buari and Jeed Rogers. Her parents are Sidiku Buari and Hajia Buari.
In a July 2023 interview on Citi TV, she shared that she would have put her career on hold if not for her mother whilst talking about jugglinghher duties as mother and actress.
Recognitions
In 2014, Buari was awarded the Special Recognition Award at Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
In 2015 and 2019, she was nominated for the Best Actress in a leading role for her performances in Diary of Imogen Brown and Getting Married respectively.
Buari was nominated for the Best Performance By An Actress In A Leading Role during the Ghana Movie Awards 2021, which she won jointly with Jasmine Baroudi
Filmography
- Beyoncé — The President Daughter (2006)
- The Return of Beyoncé
- Mummy’s Daughter
- Darkness of Sorrow (2006)
- Slave to Lust
- In The Eyes of My Husband
- American Boy
- Wicked Intentions
- Tomorrow Must Wait
- Hidden Treasure
- Beyonce & Rihanna
- Beauty and the Beast (2008)
- My Last Ambition
- Love, Lies and Murder
- Secret Lie
- The Angle Against The Monster
- Heartless
- Last Hour Romance
- Under My Pillow
- Speechless
- Desperate Bride
- Innocent Sin
- Guilty Threat
- The Golden Lady
- Satanic Kingdom
- Rough Rider
- Crazy Scandal
- Unfaithful
- The Monster In Me
- Bad Egg
- Garden of Eden
- No More Love
- My Dove
- Agony of Christ (2009)
- Heart of Men (2009)
- Forbidden Fruit (2009)
- Holding Hope (2010)
- Chelsea (2010)
- Checkmate (2010)
- Single and Married (2012)
- Heroes & Zeros (2012)
- Game Plan (2015)
- American Driver (2017)
- African Messiah
- Coming to Africa: Welcome to Ghana (2023)
1. AMVCA Nominations: Nadia Buari has been nominated for several Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) for her outstanding performances in various movies. These nominations reflect her contributions to the African film industry.
2. Ghana Movie Awards: She has received nominations at the Ghana Movie Awards, one of the prominent awards in the Ghanaian film industry. Although she has not won any of these awards, her nominations showcase her acting prowess.
3. Pan African Film Festival (PAFF): Nadia Buari’s work has been featured at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, which is one of the largest and most prestigious black film festivals in the world. Her participation in this festival indicates her international recognition as an actress.
4. Nollywood and African Film Critics’ Awards (NAFCA): Nadia Buari has received nominations at the NAFCA, also known as the African Oscars, for her roles in Nollywood films.
5. African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA): While she has not won an AMAA, she has earned nominations for her performances in African films.
6. Recognition for Philanthropic Work: In addition to her acting career, Nadia Buari has been involved in philanthropic activities. While this may not be an award in the traditional sense, her charitable work has earned her recognition and appreciation from various organizations and communities.