Ever wondered how much it costs for a Nigerian celebrity to attend a red carpet event? In December 2024, filmmaker Jadesola Osiberu released Christmas in Lagos, a heartwarming romantic comedy that lit up the festive season. Among the movie’s star-studded cast, featuring veterans like Richard Mofe Damijo and Shaffy Bello, was breakout talent Angel Anosike, a creative entrepreneur and media producer whose role as Yagazie introduced her to the Nollywood scene.
On the 19th of December, Angel made her first red carpet appearance at the movie’s premiere. Five months later, she graced the carpet again at the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA), the continent’s biggest movie festival, where Christmas in Lagos received six nominations and took home one win.
We spoke to Angel Anosike about the true costs of showing up in style for both events, the pressure to deliver a statement look, and the expenses and concessions involved in preparing for a red carpet as a marquee actress in her breakout role.
What made the premiere night of Christmas in Lagos so special for you, and why is Opening Night such a big deal in Nollywood?
An opening night introduces the movie to the world. On this night, a select audience of media companies and industry folks are invited to watch the movie for the first time on the big screen. As an actor, you get coverage from the biggest press houses in the country on the red carpet. I’m getting goosebumps speaking about it because it was honestly one of my favourite nights ever.
Seeing the movie for the first time with everyone was such a surreal experience. People were reacting to it, laughing, and crying. I cried, the director cried, even my dad cried! After the movie, we got on a stage and took a bow with the cast and crew. This was really significant because with moviemaking, actors usually get all the spotlight, and brand deals and fame, but the entire crew deserves recognition too, because a lot of work goes into putting a movie onscreen.
I think the surreal quality of that night was heightened by it being my debut. I’ve always wanted to be an actor, so I remember thinking, “Wow Angel, you are actually doing it!” There is power in saying you will do something, putting your mind to it, and achieving it. That night introduced me to the world. How I looked mattered, and I wanted to show my personality and confidence through my fashion.
That night meant a lot to you. How did this influence your choice of outfit for the premiere?
I knew I wanted something special. I remember thinking, “In terms of the kind of person I am, and how I like to look, I want to feel like myself; I want to look like myself.” It was also crucial to position myself from a branding standpoint. Starting off strong with a strong designer was important for me.
I wanted a custom piece, not something off the runway, so my stylist, Damola, who also styled the whole of Christmas in Lagos, was the natural choice to work with me on this journey. We decided to wear a look by Weiz Dhurm Franklyn, a Nigerian designer, and they delivered!
I felt really understood by the designer. I am an active girl and I love to work out; so I knew that I wanted my back on full display. The initial design for the front was a bit too revealing for my comfort, because I don’t really like to show cleavage, so we had to find an artistic way to cover the cuts with some abstract work. The dress was stunning and the red detailing at the base of the dress was hand-painted.
The initial price the designer quoted was ₦1.5 million. However, thanks to Damola’s amazing negotiation skills, stressing that it was my debut, we ended up paying ₦800,000. This cost covered the design, fabric, and labour, with all alterations and fittings included. My sister paid for all of it. We had about three fittings to ensure everything was perfect, and the dress was tight, but it was worth it.
Your AMVCA outfit was another stunning look. What went into bringing that outfit to life?
It was! Honestly, I think I am so blessed, because the costs involved in Christmas in Lagos were so much that before they reached out to me for the AMVCA, I was like, “I can’t afford it. I can’t do this lifestyle with you people. Somebody has to come and style me.”
Thankfully, a designer named Yemi Shoyemi reached out to me directly. She had created a list of five muses she wanted to dress for the AMVCA, and I was one of them. This was a fantastic collaborative opportunity, especially since Marie Claire Nigeria also wanted to do a feature on me. Felt divinely orchestrated.
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Working with Yemi was super easy. She already understood my aesthetic from my Christmas in Lagos look, and told me, “I can tell you’re not someone who likes to do too much, so I’m not going to put you in anything over the top.”
We kept going back and forth, and eventually she said, “You know what? Let’s do a two-piece. You work out, your body is great, let’s show it off a little.” We decided on a champagne ivory colour because she wanted me to look like a goddess. The outfit was an ornately beaded crop top and a skirt, without a corset. Unlike my Christmas In Lagos outfit, which was so tight I couldn’t breathe, this time, I was gliding through the event. I felt so comfortable.
The event itself was great. People came up to me saying, “I watched you — you were amazing.” I was doing media rounds with my co-star Shalom, so people recognised us as the Christmas in Lagos couple. That was really special.
How did you select accessories for both events?
It was all my stylist, Damola. For the Christmas in Lagos premiere, he took care of the earrings and bag. These were probably sourced through his connections. My shoes were my own, valued at around $1,200. For the AMVCA look, I didn’t carry a purse. The jewellery was sourced through Damola, from Arriaba Lifestyle, and I wore the same shoes from the Christmas in Lagos premiere, because who is looking at my feet, anyway?
Your hair and makeup really tied each look together. What was the vision behind them, and who did you work with?
Yes, hair and makeup were very intentional. For the Christmas in Lagos premiere, I wore my natural hair. I’m not very big on wigs and the movie actually made me start to embrace wearing my natural hair more. For the premiere, I wanted a look that would not be too distracting or too heavy. I had my bob cut to a desired length and added hair extensions for volume. The unique swirl in the front tied everything together.
For the AMVCA. I wanted something swept back so it wouldn’t take away from the beauty of the outfit, so I spoke to Bernard Smiles, a celebrity hairstylist, and we decided to work together. We did an up-do and ended up adding a swoop in the front again, but it looked really unique. I paid ₦100,000 for the hair styling; he came to my studio in Yaba for the shoot the day before and also styled me on the actual day.
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With makeup, for both events I used my go-to makeup artist, Beauty by Tej. They know my skin and understand how I like to look, and I have worked with them for five years. The standard fee is ₦150,000, and I covered transport for the girls, which came to around ₦20,000.
As for beauty prep, this is where I like to keep things prudent. My personal routine already incorporates treatments for my general wellbeing, so I didn’t do too much. However, for both events, I spent:
- Brows: ₦15k (threaded at home)
- Manicure & Pedicure: ₦35k (gel polish, no nail extensions)
- Hair Relaxing & Treatment: ₦45–50k (they made me sign an undertaking because I was relaxing my hair right after taking out a previous style)
Besides fashion and beauty, what other costs did you have to factor in, like accommodation, content or PR?
Both the Christmas in Lagos premiere and the AMVCA were held in Lagos, so extensive travel and accommodation costs for me and my team were not a factor. However, a red carpet appearance is rarely a standalone event; it’s often a calculated part of a larger marketing strategy, so I had to invest in photography and videography for both events.
For Christmas in Lagos, my cousin took my photos and I paid him ₦150,000. The videography cost ₦350,000. The location was where we were already staying, thanks to the movie production, so there was no need to pay.
For the AMCVA, Marie Claire Nigeria handled the videography. But I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I also got my own videographer. He charged me ₦400,000 for two videos — one for me and one for my friend. This was a discount because his usual starting fee is about ₦800,000.
As for the location, it was pitched and secured through Marie Claire Nigeria. The editor reached out, and the space was given to us for free in exchange for online coverage. Honestly, everything worked out thanks to grace, relationships, good teamwork, and planning.
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Would you say collaborations play a significant role in the industry?
This is a very, very, very, good question. I do think that collaborations play a significant role in the entertainment industry. I just feel like Nigerians struggle with executing it the right way. And with collaboration sometimes, people try to exploit you. However, if it’s properly done and there’s mutual respect for the other person’s craft, they really work out. Everywhere in the world, we are stronger together than apart.
Total Costs for both Events
1. Christmas in Lagos Premiere Look:
- Outfit: ₦800,000
- Shoes: $1,200 / ₦1,835,112
- Stylist: Free (due to relationship)
- Approximate market value: ₦500,000 – ₦1,500,000
- Makeup: ₦150,000
- Makeup Artist/Team Logistics: ₦20,000
- Hair: Self-styled
- Pre-Event Treatments: ₦100,000
- Photography: ₦150,000
- Videography: ₦350,000
Total Cost for Christmas in Lagos Premiere: ₦3,405,112
Total Estimated Market Value: ₦3,905,112
(If all services were paid for at market rate)
II. AMVCA Look:
- Outfit: N0
- Approximate market value: ₦2,000,000
- Hair: ₦100,000
- Makeup: ₦150,000
- Makeup Artist/Team Logistics: ₦20,000
- Stylist: Free (Due to relationship)
- Approximate market value: ₦500,000 – ₦1,500,000
- Pre-Event Treatments: ₦100,000
- Videography: ₦400,000
- Photography: ₦0
- Approximate market value: ₦100,000 – ₦500,000
Total Cost for AMVCA: ₦770,000
Total Estimated Market Value: ₦3,370,000.
(If all services were paid for at market rate)
Thanks for walking me through it all! What has the overall journey into showbiz been like for you so far, emotionally and professionally?
I’d say it’s been quite interesting, although it’s made me more anxious than I used to be. Last week, at my Pilates studio (a studio I’ve been going to for almost three years), the girl at the counter stopped me and said, “Oh Angel, I watched your movie. You were so good!” And I replied: “Hahaha. . .haha. . . thank you!” I just never know how to react. That kind of attention makes me self-conscious.
And to think this is just your debut role!
Yes! It’s just one movie! I have two more coming out later this year, so I’ve barely scratched the surface. I think it’s very anxiety-inducing how once you act in movies, people start to treat you like you’re larger than life. And for me, acting is just my form of creative expression. I’m a normal person who happens to act sometimes, so when people place me on a pedestal, it’s strange. But I’m grateful, obviously, to be doing what I love – using all forms of my creativity to express myself. The goal at the end of the day is not just visibility; it is to be excellent at whatever I put my name on. I’m just grateful that I’m doing the things I’ve always wanted to do.
You’re doing amazing, honestly. Keep it up!
Thank you so much!
In Conclusion,
Attending red carpet events can cost millions of naira. But as Angel’s experience shows, it’s not always about who has the biggest budget, as relationships can play a key role as well. Strategic collaborations with designers, stylists, and media platforms can help ease the financial burden; and in today’s world, where social currency is king, these partnerships go a long way in making the spotlight more accessible.
