Entertainment of Wednesday, 29 June 2011

Source: ameyaw debrah/ www.ameyawdebrah.com

Jimmy Jean-Louis congratulates Idris Elba, 2face and Dbanj for BET Awards

Although the world’s media has been focusing on Chris Brown’s solid comeback and amazing performance at the just ended BET Awards, Haitian Hollywood actor and philanthropist, Jimmy Jean-Louis says he is particular excited about the Africans that were awarded on the night.

The actor who has a keen affinity for Africa recently stormed the 2011 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) with an imposing showing like never before in the history of the Awards. The Haitian actor was not only nominated for his lead role in ‘Sinking Sands’ but was also a special Hollywood Guest of Honour for the ceremony, along with American actor Nate Parker. In addition, he also starred in two other nominated films namely, ‘Precipice’ and ‘In America: The Story of the Soul Sisters’.

Jimmy, who attended Sunday’s BET Awards ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles comments: “It was a pretty good show; Chris Brown made a solid comeback with a strong performance. I would have loved to see the Award for international artist, won by Tuface and Dbanj, on the main show for a greater exposure of our African talents. I am glad to see Idris Elba picking up the best actor of the year.”

Born Idrissa Akuna Elba, Idris Elba was born Sierra Leonean father and his mother is Ghanaian. The television, theatre, and film actor who has starred in both British and American productions grew up in Canning Town, East London. He is known for playing Russell “Stringer” Bell, a Baltimore druglord and aspiring businessman, in HBO’s The Wire. Elba is also a DJ under the moniker DJ Big Driis / Big Driis the Londoner, and a hip-hop soul recording artist.

Idris Elba won the 2011 BET Award for Best Actor for his role as Roque in “The Losers”, beating other nominees which included Chris Brown, Jamie Foxx and Don Cheadle. Nigeria’s 2face Idibia and Dbanj tied for the BET Award for Best International Act (Africa). Although this was the second time that African artists have been nominated in the BET Awards, this year saw a separate category for the African acts which also included D-Black (Ghana), Fally Ipupa (DR Congo), Angelique Kidjo (Benin), and Teargas (South Africa). The African category was however not shown or broadcast at the main ceremony in America.