Biography of Yvonne Nelson: A Portrait of Multifaceted Excellence

Yvonne Nelson (born November 12, 1985) is a Ghanaian actress, model, film producer, author, entrepreneur and a former Miss Ghana Contestant. She has starred in several movies, including House of Gold (2013), Any Other Monday, In April, and Swings, and appeared in the limelight of the movie industry with a role she played in the “Princess Tyra” and “Playboy” movies. She has over 7.4M Followers on Instagram currently.

Early life

Yvonne Nelson was born in Accra, Ghana. She remains the youngest of three siblings of her parents. Her mother is from Cape Coast in the Central Region and her dad comes from Ga from the Greater Accra Region, both in Ghana. She started her education at St. Martin De Porres School in Accra and later went to Aggrey Memorial Senior High School. She had her tertiary education at Zenith University College and Central University, where she did a degree course in human resource management. She graduated from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) with a master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy in 2020. Nelson founded the Yvonne Nelson Glaucoma Foundation in 2010 to help create awareness about the disease. As a result of her philanthropic activities particularly in glaucoma, she was honored by GoWoman Magazine and Printex for her foundation and film career. With support from other Ghanaian celebrities, she recorded an all-star charity single and shot a video to help educate people. She also shot a video to help educate people about glaucoma.

Career

Nelson, a former Miss Ghana contestant, accidentally began her career when she went to her favorite place to watch an audition and the producer asked if she would like to perform. He later acquired her number after she rejected the offer. She featured in her first movie scene with big-screen roles in Princess Tyra in 2007 and Playboy in 2008. She delved into movie production in 2011. Her first production was the movie titled “The Price”, which was released that same year. She also produced “Single and Married” in 2012 and “House of Gold” in 2013. The latter won Best Picture at the Ghana Movie Awards and Best Ghanaian Movie at the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards. Nelson is regarded as one of the best Ghanaian actresses to ever grace the screens with her acting talent.

She started Heels and Sneakers A television show centred on a group of young adults seeking happiness and the obstacles they face in pursuing good education, successful employment, and marriage. The show started in 2018 and has two seasons complete.

Book published by her

I Am Not Yvonne Nelson

Launch

On Sunday, June 18, 2023, Yvonne Nelson unveiled her controversial memoir titled “I Am Not Yvonne Nelson”. The memoir was unveiled at Peduase Valley Resort, drawing support from numerous industry figures, friends, and media personnel in attendance.

Within a mere 24 hours of its release, the book swiftly climbed the ranks and secured its position among the best-selling titles on Amazon Books being among the top twenty Arts and Entertainment Biographies.

Yvonne Nelson’s memoir delves into her unwavering determination to uncover the identity of her biological father, examines the intricacies of her relationship with her mother, and candidly explores her trials and tribulations in the realms of acting, dating, and beyond.

Controversies

Yvonne Nelson received numerous accolades for her courage and willingness to share her personal experiences, while others expressed concerns about the book’s cost, citing the high equivalent prices in euros and pounds as a barrier to affordability for some, especially some Ghanaians.

Yvonne Nelson in her book shares a gripping account in her memoir that sheds light on her secret involvement with rapper Sarkodie. Detailing their sexual relationship, unplanned pregnancy, and its termination. She also made known in her book that Iyanya, the Nigerian musician cheated on her with the actress, Tonto Dikeh.

Personal life

On October 29, 2017, Nelson gave birth to a daughter with her ex-boyfriend, Jamie Roberts. The actress remained silent about rumors of her pregnancy until she announced the birth of her daughter through a WOW Magazine Cover.

Philanthropy

Nelson founded the Yvonne Nelson Glaucoma Foundation in 2010 to help create awareness about the disease. With support from other Ghanaian celebrities, she recorded an all-star charity single and shot a video to help educate people. She also shot a video to help educate people about glaucoma. As a result of her philanthropic activities particularly in glaucoma, she was honored by GoWoman Magazine and Printex for her foundation and film career.

Campaign

On May 17, 2015, Nelson took it upon herself, together with other celebrities, to add more voices to the masses in protests against the energy crisis in her country. She led a peaceful vigil called DumsorMustStop on May 16, 2015. The hashtag #dumsormuststop is currently used on social media to amplify the concerns of Ghanaians with regard to the energy crisis. Yvonne, known to be very vocal lately about political issues in the country lamented the lack of development in Ghana since the country attained her independence in 1957. She told the BBC in an interview that she may consider running for political office in the future.  Actress Yvonne Nelson tweeted that she is looking forward to the day Ghanaians would refuse to vote in presidential elections to send a message to politicians.

Recognition

In 2013, Yvonne was honored by GoWoman Magazine and Printex for her efforts in setting up the Glaucoma Foundation to fight the disease and her film career.

In 2018, Nelson was awarded a special award at the “MTN Heroes of Change” in recognition of her charity work in fighting glaucoma.

Filmography

Nelson has featured in over 100 movies, including:

• 4Play Reloaded
• Any Other Monday
• The Black Taliban
• Blood is Thick
• Classic Love
• Fifty fifty 
• Crime Suspect
• Crime to Christ
• Deadly Passion
• Deadly Plot
• Desperate to Live
• Diary of a Player
• Doctor May
• Fantasia
• Festival of Love
• Folly
• Forbidden Fruit
• The Game
• Girls Connection
• Gold Diggin
• Golden Adventure
• Heart of Men
• My London Diary
• House of Gold (2013)
• If Tomorrow Never Comes
• In April
• Keep My Love
• Local Sense
• Losing You
• Love and Crises
• Love War
• Material Girl
• The Mistresses
• My Cash Adventure
• My Loving Heart
• Obsession
• One Night In Vegas
• Passion of the Soul
• Plan B
• The Playboy
• I love your husband 3″
• Pool Party
• The Price
• The Prince’s Bride
• Princess Tyra
• The Queen’s Pride
• The Return of Beyonce
• Refugees
• Save The Last Kiss
• Save My Love
• Single and Married (2012)
• Single, Married and Complicated
• Strength of a Man
• Swings
• Tears of Womanhood
• Threesome
• To Love and Cherish
• Trapped in the Game
• Who Am I
• Yvonne’s Tears
• Kotoka
• Sin City 
• Fix Us 

 

Awards and Honors

Over the years, Yvonne Nelson has received recognition and honors for her talent and contributions to the entertainment industry. Here are some of the notable awards and honors:

1. Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA): Yvonne Nelson has been nominated for and won several AMAA awards. In 2010, she won the AMAA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in the film “Material Girl.”

2. Ghana Movie Awards: Yvonne Nelson has been recognized at the Ghana Movie Awards, receiving nominations and winning in various categories. She won the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for her role in “Single and Married” in 2012.

3. African Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA): She has received nominations at the AMVCA, which celebrates outstanding achievements in African cinema. Although she didn’t win, her nominations reflect her impact on the industry.

4. City People Entertainment Awards: Yvonne Nelson has been honored at the City People Entertainment Awards in Nigeria. She won the Best Ghanaian Actress award in 2011.

5. Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA): She received recognition at the GIAMA awards in the USA, where she won the Best Actress – Africa Collaboration award in 2013.

6. Nigeria Entertainment Awards: Yvonne Nelson has been nominated for awards at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards, which celebrate achievements in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

7. Ghana Women of the Year Honours: Beyond the film industry, Yvonne Nelson has been recognized for her contributions to society. In 2018, she was honored at the Ghana Women of the Year Honours for her philanthropic work and advocacy.

8. Ghana Tertiary Awards: Yvonne Nelson received the Most Influential Actress award at the Ghana Tertiary Awards in 2018.