Exposed! Why Amstel picked Genevieve, Mikel for new South African commercial

Mikel and Genevieve

Prior to the advert premiering at the recently held AMVCA, the question many kept asking remained, what was going on between Nollywood queen, Genevieve Nnaji and Super Eagles player, Mikel Obi? In fact, several insinuations and allegations trailed the images of the two icons which made it into public domain weeks ago.

In one of the crisp pictures, the multi-talented actress was seen in a hugging blue mini-gown alighting from a chauffeur-driven posh car with a customized number plate bearing her famous name. The scenario at an unknown airstrip in South Africa had all the trappings of royalty. A cabin crew waits patiently to usher-in the actress like a royal into a private jet complete with a red carpet.
For the Chelsea of England football star, Mikel Obi, the routine was not different. Looking sharp in an ash-coloured suit, his towering athletic figure loomed large with resplendence for his part in the script. The pictures appeared like one of the best kept secrets or a well-orchestrated coup that caught their fans off-guard.
Interestingly, after several weeks of speculations and rumour mongering, the mystery surrounding the teaser was finally unravel in ‘The Journey,’ a new inspirational commercial sponsored by Nigerian Breweries premium malt brand, Amstel Malta drink.
The movie, which was painstakingly shot on locations in South Africa, was premiered last weekend as one of the highpoints at the glamourous Amstel Malta sponsored Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) that held on Saturday, March 8 at the prestigious New Expo Hall, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Prior to this new outing involving Mikel and Genevieve, Amstel Malta has maintained a regular intervention in Nollywood with the Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) TV reality show series that has become a launch-pad for talented young actors including Ivie Okujaye and OC Ukeje among others.

‘The Journey’ into football
The Journey would be Mikel Obi’s launch-pad into Nigeria’s motion picture industry otherwise known as Nollywood. He joins the ranks of other Super Eagles stars such as Osaze Odemwingie, Christian Obodo, Emmanuel Babayaro and John Chukwudi Utaka in the make believe world.
There has been no other life outside the round leather game for the Anambra State-born footballer. Beginning from the young age of 12 when Obi’s ‘The Journey’ began at Pepsi Football Academy, the talented midfield marshal has trudged on into a glorious career laced with conquests at all levels.
As a club player, John Michael Nchekwube Obinna or John Mikel has plied his trade with clubs including Plateau United FC, Ajax Cape Town (South Africa), Lyn Oslo (Norway) and his current employers, Chelsea FC (England).
One of the high-flying footballer’s strongest traits is his consistency which has made him a key figure in spite of managerial changes. Not even a fierce transfer saga over his signatures between two English giants will crush his determination to excel in life. Mikel Obi has simply thrived where others have faltered.
Aside legendary ex-super eagles star, Kanu Nwankwo, there is no one else who can boast of more laurels than Mikel Obi. His trophies cart is loaded with laurels for club and country which has remained the envy of many footballers. A cursory look reveals honours including African Nations Cup, U20 World Cup (Silver), UEFA Champions League, Europa Cup, Premier League FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield among others.


Genevieve’s rise to prominence
The road to stardom for the actress described by Oprah as Africa’s Julia Roberts was not paved with silver and gold. After her debut as a child actor at age eight in a popular soap entitled Ripples, it would take a long spell that spanned another decade and one year for her to get her first full professional credit as an actress.
For the Mbaise, Imo State-born act, it was a worthy wait that saw her excel in the 1998 movie entitled Most Wanted. From that point, there would be no stopping Genevieve Nnaji. With tons of movie credits to her name, the pretty actress has been touted to star in British spy movie series 007 James Bond.
It is not surprising that the star actress of Ije and Mirror Boy has remained the most courted  brand by corporate organizations such as MUD cosmetics, Lux, Range Rover, BMW, Polo and the latest being telecommunications giant, Etisalat.
One person who would give anything to co-star with the petite thespian is Tinsel actor, Gideon Okeke. Hear him rave about the actress, “Why I keep hammering on the name Genevieve is that, she understands stillness. We are thought in acting school that from out of stillness comes action. Before action, you have to be still. This sound text bookish but that is what they teach us. She knows her onions. She is like a big masquerade; before the masquerade.”

With their mission to South Africa now finally uncovered, those spreading the false news that both national icons are intimate will now cease the spreading of such unfounded rumours and speculations. 

FEMI SALAWU- ENTERTAINMENT EXPRESS