If there is one laudable trait of model and ARISE News Channel Anchor Ojy Okpe, it is the exceptional way she tells stories. Her segment on the Morning Show of ARISE News commands a loyal following on live TV and YouTube because of the compelling way she crafts her stories and provides insights on the trending news of the day.
Pushing the envelope further, Okpe who apart from dreaming of being a fashion model, had always wanted to work in the film and TV industry, is keen on telling stories that celebrate African heroes through her production company Africa Shape.
Shooting to stardom as a model who has walked runways from Lagos tro New York, Ojy has also worked on Hollywood productions like the 2009 American romantic comedy ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’.
Her initial idea as an aspiring filmmaker, was to bridge the gap between Nollywood and Hollywood, and serve as a link to bring both film industries together. The idea then was to float a production company Third Mainland that will oversee these collaborations.
However, the idea metamorphosed over the years to tell African stories that celebrate resilience and determination and embody the true African spirit. Thus, Africa Shape was born.
According to the filmmaker who is a graduate of Communications and Film Production from St. John’s University, New York, Africa Shape seeks to celebrate African heroes and heroines whose works have contributed to putting the continent in the global spotlight. Take, for instance, the legendary story of Queen Amina or the late Biafran warlord Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
“We are interested in such stories that shape who we are as a people,” Okpe says.
Okpe’s portfolio ranges from working on award-winning documentaries to riveting celebrity interviews. As a TV anchor, she has interviewed many celebrities including Hollywood actresses Susan Sarandon and Sarah Jessica Parker, supermodels Iman, singer Idina Mendel, among others.
Some of her notable bio-documentaries were on American musicians Ciara and Janelle Monae.
Ojy also contributed to the insightful documentary “Game Changers: How the Harlem Globetrotters Battled Racism”, which takes a historical look at the early days of professional basketball and how the Harlem Globetrotters not only dealt with racism but also helped change the world of sports. The documentary was a winner at the 58th New York Emmys.
She has also contributed in one form or the other, to Hollywood movies such as ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ and ‘Spiderman 3’.
The happy mother of two is set on breaking more boundaries through Africa Shape and is already taking giant strides to achieve that goal. And her gig at ARISE News where she both produces and anchors a show, is the perfect opportunity to hone her skills as a filmmaker, an additional feather in a cap that has fashion model prominently displayed.