Nigerian model and actress Kendra Oluchi Etufunwa who is best known for her lead role on the M-Net hit TV series Jacob’s Cross was born on June 28, 1987. She grew up in Lagos State, Nigeria with her mother (a business woman and retired banker) and sister.
Kendra studied physical and health education at Delta State University (Abraka Campus). She then went on to further her education by signing up for a two-year course in human resources at the London school of business located in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her modelling career began during the 2006 Lagos auditions for the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant after she was discovered by an agent.
While in South Africa, she was scouted and signed by Star Model Management now Boss models. She was a lead in the TV commercials; Clorets Gum, Cell C – mobile network and Knorr Cubes, Castle lite beer, Eclairs candy. She has worked on shoots for Cosmopolitan, Elle and appeared in an ad for Lacoste perfume that featured in Glamour (SA) magazine. Kendra has walked the runway on various fashion weeks held in South Africa and around the world, most notable in a show for UK renowned designer – Karen Millen.
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She was spotted by international directors of a Discovery production; Inside Story, following the story of a young girl who falls in love and has to deal with life issues and the contraction of HIV which was released to South African audience in December 2011 and an international audience in Washington D.C in the United States in January 2012.
She has been featured in top publications such as South African Elle magazine, Glamour (SA) and modeled in advertisements for brands such as Castle Milk Stout, Pepsodent and Knorr. In March 2012, the technology company Intel in Kenya and Nigeria, appointed Kendra as brand ambassador for their lifestyles division and she was a invited to present an award at the “Hip-Hop” world awards.
She also walked the Ramp for Lily Ghalichi’s clothing line ‘Want My Look’ at the New York fashion week in September 2015.
Kendra is recognized as one of Nigeria’s most sought-after models. She landed modelling jobs for Diamond Bank, and on M-Net’s Deal or No Deal TV game show. Her first appearance in print was sharing the cover of West African magazine True Love with English television presenter and former footballer John Fashanu.
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Kendra is currently based in New York where she is an Avid Restaurant-goer/ Elite Yelper. She also manages, promotes and consults with restaurants and events. She is also a brand ambassador for different makeup and clothing brands as seen on her social media.
