# Yvonne Nelson

Yvonne Nelson (born 12 November 1985) is a Ghanaian actress, model, film producer, author, entrepreneur and a former Miss Ghana Contestant. She has starred in several movies, including House of Gold (2013), Any Other Monday, In April, and Swings, and appeared in the limelight of the movie industry with a role she played in the "Princess Tyra" and "Playboy" movies. She has over 7.5 million followers on Instagram currently. With her surname as "Nelson", she is most likely to have a Tabom (Afro Brazilian) lineage.

## Early life

Nelson was born in Accra, Ghana, even though she traces her roots back in Cape Coast. She is a descent of the Fante people. She remains the youngest of three siblings of her parents. Her mother is from Cape Coast in the Central Region and her dad comes from Ga from the Greater Accra Region, both in Ghana. She started her education at St. Martin De Porres School in Accra and later went to Aggrey Memorial Senior High School. She had her tertiary education at Zenith University College and Central University, where she did a degree course in human resource management. She graduated from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) with a master's degree in International Relations and Diplomacy in 2020. Growing up, Yvonne Nelson hand an inseparable relationship with her mother. The relationship was bound by the fact that her father abandoned his family when she was young. She, therefore, grew up under the care of a single parent. This is why she always celebrate her mother on farhers' day. Nelson founded the Yvonne Nelson Glaucoma Foundation in 2010 to help create awareness about the disease. As a result of her philanthropic activities particularly in glaucoma, she was honored by GoWoman Magazine and Printex for her foundation and film career. With support from other Ghanaian celebrities, she recorded an all-star charity single and shot a video to help educate people. She also shot a video to help educate people about glaucoma.

## Career

Nelson, a former Miss Ghana contestant, accidentally began her career when she went to her favorite place to watch an audition and the producer asked if she would like to perform. He later acquired her number after she rejected the offer. She featured in her first movie scene with big-screen roles in Princess Tyra in 2007 and Playboy in 2008. She delved into movie production in 2011. Her first production was the movie titled “The Price”, which was released that same year. She also produced “Single and Married” in 2012 and “House of Gold” in 2013. The latter won Best Picture at the Ghana Movie Awards and Best Ghanaian Movie at the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards. Nelson is regarded as one of the best Ghanaian actresses to ever grace the screens with her acting talent.
She started Heels and Sneakers, a television show centered on a group of young adults seeking happiness and the obstacles they face in pursuing good education, successful employment, and marriage. The show started in 2018 and has two seasons.
On 31 July 2024, Yvonne Nelson Opened a new School by name Yvonne Nelson International School.

## Book published by her
### I Am Not Yvonne Nelson
#### Launch

On 18 June 2023, Nelson unveiled her controversial memoir titled "I Am Not Yvonne Nelson". The memoir was unveiled at Peduase Valley Resort, drawing support from numerous industry figures, friends, and media personnel in attendance.
Within a mere 24 hours of its release, the book swiftly climbed the ranks and secured its position among the best-selling titles on Amazon Books, being among the top twenty Arts and Entertainment Biographies.
Nelson's memoir delves into her unwavering determination to uncover the identity of her biological father, examines the intricacies of her relationship with her mother, and candidly explores her trials and tribulations in the realms of acting, dating, and beyond.

#### Controversies

Nelson received numerous accolades for her courage and willingness to share her personal experiences, while others expressed concerns about the book's cost, citing the high equivalent prices in euros and pounds as a barrier to affordability for some, especially some Ghanaians.
Nelson in her book shares a gripping account in her memoir that sheds light on her secret involvement with rapper Sarkodie. Detailing their sexual relationship, unplanned pregnancy, and its termination. She also made known in her book that Iyanya, the Nigerian musician cheated on her with the actress, Tonto Dikeh.

## Personal life

On 29 October 2017, Nelson gave birth to a daughter Ryn Roberts with her ex-boyfriend, Jamie Roberts; who was the former British photographer. The actress remained silent about rumors of her pregnancy until she announced the birth of her daughter through a WOW Magazine Cover, this is because she rarely posts about the things that are dear to her.

## Philanthropy

Nelson founded the Yvonne Nelson Glaucoma Foundation in 2010 to help create awareness about the disease. With support from other Ghanaian celebrities, she recorded an all-star charity single and shot a video to help educate people. She also shot a video to help educate people about glaucoma. As a result of her philanthropic activities particularly in glaucoma, she was honored by GoWoman Magazine and Printex for her foundation and film career.

## Campaign

On 17 May 2015, Nelson took it upon herself, together with other celebrities, to add more voices to the masses in protests against the energy crisis in her country. She led a peaceful vigil called DumsorMustStop on 16 May 2015. The hashtag #dumsormuststop is currently used on social media to amplify the concerns of Ghanaians with regard to the energy crisis. Yvonne, known to be very vocal lately about political issues in the country lamented the lack of development in Ghana since the country attained her independence in 1957. She told the BBC in an interview that she may consider running for political office in the future. Actress Yvonne Nelson tweeted that she is looking forward to the day Ghanaians would refuse to vote in presidential elections to send a message to politicians.
On 30 April 2024, Yvonne made a call to the Ghanaian public to join her in a demonstration against the sitting government on the consistent dumsor (light outs) across the country.
On 8 June 2024, Nelson led the second vigil for the #dumsormuststop campaign against the government for the continuous lights out situation that the country continued to face despite the police effort to thwart the vigil

## Recognition

In 2013, Nelson was honored by GoWoman Magazine and Printex for her efforts in setting up the Glaucoma Foundation to fight the disease and her film career.
In 2018, Nelson was awarded a special award at the "MTN Heroes of Change" in recognition of her charity work in fighting glaucoma.

## Filmography

Nelson has featured in over 100 movies, including:
* 4Play Reloaded (2010) as Chloe
* Any Other Monday
* The Black Taliban
* Blood is Thick
* Classic Love
* Fifty fifty
* Crime Suspect (2013)
* Crime to Christ (2007)
* Deadly Passion
* Deadly Plot (2012)
* Desperate to Survive (2010) as Tyra
* Diary of a Player
* Doctor May
* Fantasia
* Festival of Love
* Folly
* Forbidden Fruit
* The Game (2010) as Shennel Johnson
* Girls Connection (2008) as Imelda
* Gold Diggin (2014) as Zara
* Golden Adventure
* Heart of Men (2009) as Tracy
* My London Diary
* House of Gold (2013) as Timara Dan Ansah
* If Tomorrow Never Comes (2016)
* In April (2016) as Arabah
* Keep My Love
* Local Sense
* Losing You
* Love and Crises
* Love War
* Material Girl
* The Mistresses
* My Cash Adventure
* My Loving Heart
* Obsession
* One Night In Vegas
* Passion of the Soul (2008) as Eve
* Plan B
* The Playboy (2008) as Wendy
* I love your husband 3" (2009)
* Pool Party (2011) as Audrey
* The Price (2013) as Rabbi
* The Prince's Bride
* Princess Tyra (2007) as Princess
* The Queen's Pride (2010)
* The Return of Beyonce (2006) as Yvonne
* Refugees (2016) as Afua
* Save The Last Kiss
* Save My Love (2010)
* Single and Married (2012) as Kimora
* Single, Married and Complicated (2014) as Kimora
* Strength of a Man
* Swings (2017)
* Tears of Womanhood (2009) as Khadija
* Threesome
* To Love and Cherish
* Trapped in the Game (2012) as chloe
* Who Am I
* Yvonne's Tears
* Kotoka
* Sin City (2019) as Julia
* Fix Us (2019) as Naadei Mills

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result |
| 2008 | 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Upcoming Actress | Princess Tyra | Nominated |
| 2009 | Joy Nite Fm Awards | Stars Best Actress | | Won |
| 2010 | 2010 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress - Supporting Role | The Game | Nominated |
| 2010 | 2010 Ghana Movie Awards | Favorite Actress | Herself | Won |
| 2010 | 6th Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Heart of Men | Nominated |
| 2011 | 2011 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress - Supporting Role | 4Play Reloaded | Nominated |
| 2011 | City People Awards | Best Ghanaian Actress | | Won |
| 2012 | 2012 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress | Single & Married | Nominated |
| 2012 | 2012 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Picture-Africa Collaboration | Single & Married | Nominated |
| 2012 | 2012 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Picture | Single & Married | Won |
| 2013 | 2013 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress | The Price | Nominated |
| 2013 | 2013 Ghana Movie Awards | Glitz Magazine Fans Favorite Actress | Herself | Won |
| 2013 | City People Entertainment Awards | Hottest Ghanaian Actress in Nollywood | Herself | Won |
| 2014 | 2014 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress - Leading Role | Bachelors | Nominated |
| 2015 | 2015 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress - Leading Role | If Tomorrow Never Comes | Won |
| 2015 | 2015 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Picture | If Tomorrow Never Comes | Nominated |
| 2015 | 2015 Ghana Movie Awards | Favorite Actress | If Tomorrow Never Comes | Nominated |
| 2015 | Glitz Style Awards | Most Stylish Movie Star | Herself | Won |
| 2016 | Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress | In April | Nominated |
| 2018 | Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress | Jungle Justice | Won |