Shawn Faqua
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Shawn Faqua (/ˈʃɔːnˠ F ækwə /, born 6 June) is a Nigerian actor,[1] model and presenter with multiple award nominations.[2] He is best known for playing the role of Vincent in Lagos Cougars, as Rambo in Dare Olaitan's Ojukokoro and Chuks in Emem Isong's Code of Silence. His performance in Lagos Cougars earned him four award nominations across Africa including Best Young/Promising Actor at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards.[3] Faqua has appeared in African Magic movie's Out of the ghetto (2015), After the proposal (2015), Oasis (TV series), Red Card (2015), The Twin sword (2014), A Love like Ours (2011), Four Crooks and a Rookie (2011), Ebony Life's A New You (2013)[4] and others.
Faqua is a method actor and is known to successfully take on several accents as required by character he portrays. In Charles Novia's, Put a ring on it,[5] Faqua plays the role of a single woman named Cleopatra and also doubles as the character Peter.[6] Besides screen acting, Faqua has performed in several stage plays. modeled for Lagos business school, Guaranty Trust Bank, First City Monument Bank, fashion shows and many other organisations.[7][unreliable source?] In addition to his acting work, he has a great singing voice which was showcased in the short film 'The good Life', performing the original sound track of the song 'i wan blow'.
Career
Faqua has always had a knack for entertainment, Whilst he studied in the University of Port-harcourt[8] where he obtained a degree in electrical engineering.[9] He began modelling for billboards and also several anchored shows. Ever since he has repeatedly demonstrated remarkable skills in screen and stage acting, directing, modelling,[10] choreography and singing.[11]
In 2012, Faqua obtained a Certificate in Acting from the Nollywood Upgrade Training in affiliation with the Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University. In 2014 he fully transitioned from his Engineering career to a full-time acting career and has steadily progressed.[12][13]
Personal life
Faqua takes on roles that are dramatic, challenging, cheesy, intense and comical.[5][14] Many of the productions he has featured in address salient issues that border on love, politics, culture, human[15] rights,[16] conflict, rape,[17] betrayal, selfless service and sacrifice. He has been known to repeatedly research each character he takes on and pays attention to details (language, pronunciation, style and other nuances associated with the character he's portraying), as he always wants to tell a compelling and believable story. Shawn enjoys reading, dancing, playing tennis,travelling and watching movies. He currently resides in the city of Lagos, Nigeria.
Charity
Faqua has been a celebrity supporter of the Nigeria Red Cross. He had become involved with charity in 2004 and was part of the Excos of the Youth Against HIV and Aids in collaboration with the then First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Stella Obasanjo[18] and the NUGA games whose primary focus was to enlighten the youths on voluntary counselling Testing (VCT) for HIV aids. Shawn was also the president of the Youth Against Drug Abuse and Child Trafficking (YAWAT) in Abuja, Nigeria. In 2016, he partnered with the Nigerian Army for the Fallen heroes projects as he played lead in the short film 'Separated' in support of all fallen heroes and their loved ones. Since then Faqua has made several appearances showing support for charities and disaster relief.[19]
Other works
Shawn has been featured on talk shows such as Heart of the matter where he speaks on 'Real Fatherhood and Manhood',[20] Twitchat with blecyn Chat[21] and Tribe stories among others. He has anchored shows like Urban Royale's Magazine Launch and Retro 52 an Independence Event where he was a Co-host and Presenter. He is passionate about engaging the youths, assisting the children on the streets with no positive role model in their life influencing by systematic penetration through entertainment.
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | The Last Ritual | ||
| 2011 | A love like ours | ||
| 2011 | Four crooks and a Rookie | Lune | |
| 2012 | Lagos cougars | Vincent | |
| 2012 | Gidi up | Series | |
| 2013 | After the proposal | ||
| 2013 | A New You | Wale | |
| 2013 | Render to Caesar | ||
| 2014 | Acquired taste | Short film | |
| 2014 | Oasis | KK | Series |
| 2015 | Red Card | ||
| 2015 | Out of the Ghetto | ||
| 2016 | Head over Heels | Series | |
| 2016 | Ojukokoro | Rambo | |
| 2016 | Zahra | Jacob | |
| 2016 | Esohe | Prince | |
| 2017 | Inline | ||
| 2017 | The Door | ||
| 2017 | Sugar Boy | ||
| 2017 | August visitor | ||
| 2017 | Mascara | Series | |
| 2017 | 3some | ||
| 2017 | No way out | Bovi | |
| 2019 | Three Thieves | ||
| 2019 | Living in bondage: Breaking Free |
Awards and nominations
His role in 'Lagos Cougar' earned him a couple of award nominations within and outside Africa --- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Young Actor (2014),[22] Nollywood Movies Awards for Best Rising Star,[23] Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Film,[24] Golden Icons Academy Movie Award for Most Promising Actor all in 2014, and Golden Movie Awards for Golden Supporting Actor(Drama) in 2015. The twin sword also got nominated for Best Promising Actor. In 2017 he was nominated for the best supporting actor in the feature film 3 some.[2]
References
- ^ Odumade, Omotolani. "Celebrity Birthdays: Adunni Ade, Yomi Fash Lanso, Shawn Faqua, Juliana Olayode are a year older today". Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- ^ a b "World Music & Independent Film Festival". World Music & Independent Film Festival. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- ^ Orenuga, Adenike A. (2014-05-26). "AMAA 2014: Clarion Chukwurah, Patience Ozokwor win big – See full list of winners". Daily Post. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- ^ KC Ejelonu (2014-12-20), A NEW YOU – Starring Kc Ejelonu, Shawn Faqua, Diana Yekini and Deyemi Okanlawon, retrieved 2017-09-10
- ^ a b Put a Ring on It (2016), retrieved 2017-09-10
- ^ Put a Ring on It (2016), retrieved 2017-09-10
- ^ "Meet Shawn Faqua the Handsome Actor loaded with talent..." judithaudu.blogspot.co.uk (Blog). Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- ^ Odumade, Omotolani. "#ManCrushMonday: Shawn Faqua has too much sauce". Retrieved 2017-09-11.
- ^ "Birthday Shout! Celebrating Nollywood's Shawn Faqua - Online Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine in Nigeria". happenings.com.ng. Retrieved 2017-09-11.
- ^ "Linda Ejofor, Kiki Omeili, Belinda Ettah, Shawn Faqua & Others Cover 'La Mode Magazine' - OnoBello.com". onobello.com. Retrieved 2017-09-11.
- ^ "Biography/Profile/History Of Nollywood Actor Shawn Faqua – Daily Media Nigeria". dailymedia.com.ng. Retrieved 2017-09-11.
- ^ "Shawn Faqua Archives – The Nation Nigeria". The Nation Nigeria. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- ^ "Adesua Etomi, Chris Attoh, Tina Mba, Shawn Faqua to satr in movie, "In Line," set to hit cinemas". Glam Africa. 2017-07-26. Retrieved 2017-09-11.
- ^ "5 HOT ACTORS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2014! | NOLLYWOOD ACCESS". www.nollywoodaccess.com. Retrieved 2017-09-11.
- ^ "politics".
- ^ "Film: Zahra – Rise Up". www.riseuptogether.org. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- ^ "Patience Ozokwor, Segun Arinze, Shawn Faqua & More star in Nollywood Drama "Zahra" | Watch the Trailer - BellaNaija". www.bellanaija.com. Retrieved 2017-09-11.
- ^ Olajire, Ademola (2004-08-04). "Nigeria: Nuga Gets Presidential Backing". Vanguard (Lagos). Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- ^ Shawn Faqua (2017-08-08), Separated – shortfilm, retrieved 2017-09-10 – via YouTube
- ^ HOTM CHANNEL (2017-08-11), On Becoming Men, retrieved 2017-09-10
- ^ "Actor Shawn Faqua Speaks On "Partners Living Together Before Marriage"…". 2017-07-14. Retrieved 2017-09-10 – via Medium.
- ^ "African Movie Academy Awards winners". www.screenafrica.com. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- ^ "Nollywood Movies Awards". www.nollywoodmoviesawards.tv. Retrieved 2017-09-11.
- ^ "Full Nominees List Of Nigeria Entertainment Awards [Nea Awards] 2014". Wadupnaija. 2014-05-29. Retrieved 2017-09-11.