TIPTOPSTARS

Gifted in vocals, she's definitely one of the biggest things happening to the Cameroonian music industry, currently. Rinyu is a phenomenal singer. Accompanied by Achu Normad, boss of Akumba Music, the urban artist's record label, she tells the story of her career in the art she knows best. She'll be guest on radio this Saturday. Join us at www.apex1radio.com - Tunein app - Facebook live @ Apex 1 Radio -www.apex1radio.com

It is not every day that a Cameroonian from the country’s film industry gets picked as a brand ambassador for a product or service that sells internationally. It becomes news if it happens. But, from every indication, corporate bodies are increasingly getting interested in ladies and gentlemen in the seventh art to market the story of their products and services. Some observers hold that the more Cameroonian movies are making it on international online-based streaming platforms, the more their screen icons would be sought for branding jobs.

Delphine Tande and Lewis Klinsman are not only good movie actors but have telegenic looks that would work a great deal for every modelling assignment. These two are the first Cameroonian actors to be named brand ambassadors for MoneyFex, a money transfer company that specializes in post money transfer management and international payment services.

“I was recommended for the job by one of MoneyFex’s staff bases in Cameroon,” Tande told TIPTOPSTARS. “As an artist, I’d be glad to do the things I’m meant for, so, I happily accepted to market the brand,” the actress said further.

That was back in October 2019, same time her modeling mate in the project was reached for the job. To Klinsman, MoneyFex would have been impressed with his works. “Probably their decision to have me as one of their brand ambassadors was influenced by my versatility in the entertainment industry,” said the actor who is also a film director.

To Tande and Klinsman, it feels so wonderful and fulfilling to be brand bearers of a service that facilitates life for the community. “After all, our role as artists and influencers, is to promote community wellbeing and development,” said the Limbe-based actress. “It is not all the time we are given such an opportunity to serve in that capacity, so it becomes a great achievement when it comes our way,” Klinsman noted.




It should be noted that MoneyFex is actor Klinsman’s first professional assignment as a model, but he had been on the runway from 2009 to 2011. “From that experience, I had always looked forward in engaging in commercial modeling till this job came my way,” he explained.




As an actor, Lewis Klinsman has featured in The Plot (web series) and All Ventures (TV series). He has directed Un Muet Qui Parle, Bossy Addiction, My Mother-in-Law, Wrong Target (upcoming).




Meanwhile Delphine Tande has featured in Bad Angel (TV series), Rumble (TV series), Shrill, Little Cindy (Amazon Prime), Choices We Make, Saving Mbango (Amazon Prime) Stray, My Gender My Pain (Amazon Prime).

Sunday, May 17, breaking Monday, May 18, was one of the rare vigils Liberians had in a long while now. The ones who have been fans of AMERICAN IDOL and the many who never bothered about this renowned song competition, stayed awake, this time, with an uncontrollable level of anxiety. Reason – one of the finalists of SEASON 8 had a Liberian connection. Samantha Diaz aka Just Sam’s grandmother is Liberian-American and this meant a lot for the West African country, in AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 18.

“I had only partially been interested in American Idol over the years, but this time, Just Sam’s participation had me glued to the competition,” said Kpakelah, a 22-year-old resident of Chocolate City, one of Monrovia’s northern suburbs.

“To me, Just Sam was bearing Liberia’s flag at the contest and I had no choice, than to trail it to its end,” he added.

Just like scores of other young Liberians at home and abroad, Kpakelah and his three bosom friends, Siakoh, Varkpeh and Leemu, organized a Skype come-together, minutes to the pronouncement of the winner of AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 18.

“We had been certain that our contestant would emerge victorious, so, we wanted to have the kind of feeling we usually have during a football encounter,” Varkpeh explained to told TIPTOPSTARS.

The four youths exploded with joy upon the pronouncement of Samantha Diaz aka Just Sam as winner of the coveted song competition. “I couldn’t hold back my tears, more so because my girl, Just Sam came to AMERICAN IDOL from day one, crying and each time she did, it sent me sobbing as well,” Leemu told us.

To Siakoh, the young singer is gifted. “However, it was her passionate stance and determination that saw her through,” he said. And added: “Just Sam ran the race as though it was the first and last thing she would do in her career.”

Abroad, Liberians have expressed similar excitement, following the AMERICAN IDOL victory of a contestant whose adoptee grandmother is the reason the West African country holds tight to her. “Just Sam’s victory is a message that Liberians can always make it to the top,” Sianey told TIPTOPSTARS. The Liberian, resident in Cadiff, Wales, explained that she had seen Just Sam coming and knew she would make it. “For that reason, I encouraged my kids to follow the competition as a way of encouraging them to work hard to fulfil their dreams - it’s a big lesson,” she said.

“I’m more indebted to the young singer’s grandma who makes me proud to be a Liberian,” Kempeh told us from Minnesota. She went further: “To have adopted and raised a child to the point of the latter, fulfilling her dreams, is worthy of praise and she deserves whatever she’s getting today.”

Crowned as the first ever ‘at home’ winner, Sam Just emerged above Dillon James, Jonny West, Arthur Gunn, Francisco Martin, contestants at the finale. Her grandmother, Elizabeth, born in Liberia, was watching the contest live from New York. She burst in tears upon the pronouncement of Just Sam’s name. She had adopted Samantha Diaz and brought her up in the Black Mecca of the world – Harlem neighborhood in New York City. Sam got attached to music at an early age and has always dreamt of reaching higher heights in the art.

“We hope she’ll visit Liberia, if she hasn’t yet, to see the great country from where her beloved grandma hails,” an excited Liberian mentioned.

• Mayohchu, 10, is an amazingly talented child actress who jacks in other areas of arts. While developing her movie acting career, she has always worked on building her music (singling) skills. The result is a maiden single just released. The track, UN JOUR, is attracting enormous attention, especially from fans of the child artist who until now, only knew the movie side of Mayohchu. UN JOUR, sung in French and English, glorifies involved parenting and presents the young singer’s dad and mum as exemplary parents.