Get to know the gifted actor and singer Mercy Chinwo
Written by G Njuguna on January 21, 2022
Mercy Chinwo is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, actress, and comedian, and here is her life story so far.
Background
Mercy Nnenda Chinwo was born on September 5th, 1990 in port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. She is the fourth born in a family of five. She lost her father at a very young age therefore her mother is her only surviving biological parent.
Career
Chinwo started from the children’s choir at age 8. Subsequently, she moved into the adult choir and became the music director of her local church. She was also lending her voice to gospel music ministers like Sammie Okposo, Joe Praize, Buchi, Chris Morgan, and Preye. Later on, she began to participate in musical competitions until she found Nigerian Idol. Eventually, she emerged winner in season 2 (2012) of the Nigerian talent show and came to the limelight.
In 2015, she released her debut single Testimony (2015) and subsequently Igwe (2016). On February 20, 2018, Mercy released her debut studio album The Cross: My Gaze.
Acting
A year after winning Nigerian Idol, she landed her first film role in Yvonne Nelson’s film, House of Gold where she acted as Lucia, starring alongside Yvonne Nelson, Majid Michel, and Omawumi among others. The film House of Gold won Best Picture at the Ghana Movie Awards and Best Ghanaian Movie at the 2013 City People.
Award And Recognition
In 2018, Mercy Chinwo was awarded the Best Gospel Artiste at the CLIMAX Awards 2018. In 2019, at the maiden edition of the Africa Gospel Awards Festival (AGAFEST 2019) Mercy Chinwo was named winner in the categories Africa Gospel New Artiste of the Year, Africa Gospel Female Artiste of the Year, and Africa Gospel Song of the Year (Excess Love). In 2020, Mercy Chinwo won the Gospel Artiste of the year at the AFRIMMA Awards.
