Hot SourceVanessa Obioha
Tomorrow, April 7, marks 19 years since Nnegest Olufunmilayo Likké’s trailblazing debut film, ‘Phat Girlz,’ brought its bold, body-positive story to theatres, making history.
And it did just that! It captivated viewers with its compelling storyline and celebration of self-love, global black cinema, and bridging the cultural gap between Africans and African-Americans.
Released globally on April 7, 2006 by 20th Century Fox Studios, the rom-com showcased an all-star black cast with Academy Award-winning actress Mo’Nique in the lead role as the sexy and desirable love interest of “Dr Tunde”, a gorgeous Nigerian doctor played by heartthrob Jimmy Jean-Louis who is a well-known actor across Africa and has starred in many popular Nollywood films. Additional key cast includes the hilarious Nigerian-American comedian Godfrey Danchimah and award-winning thespian Dayo Ade, both of whom also play handsome, well-to-do Nigerian doctors.
The filmmaker, Likké, who both wrote and directed the groundbreaking film, has a unique tri-cultural background—she’s half-Ethiopian, African-American and Nigerian–which she describes as being like a walking dish of fufu, injera and fried chicken. A weird culinary mix, but when it comes to whipping up these ingredients in a film, the result is a one-of-a-kind entree like ‘Phat Girlz.’
Likké’s pepper-rich ‘Phat Girlz’ broke the mould, challenged beauty standards, and redefined the romantic comedy genre. And what a legacy it created.
The partially autobiographical movie changed lives, introduced culture, and elevated the confidence and self-esteem of millions of women around the world who felt unattractive because society called them “fat”. But the film took that derogatory word back and transformed it into PHAT, which stands for “Pretty Hot And Thick.”
‘Phat Girlz’ recorded many firsts, including featuring one of the earliest Afrobeats crossovers in Hollywood. Long before Afrobeats dominated global charts, Phat Girlz made history with its soundtrack, led by 2Baba’s ‘African Queen.’
The soundtrack also included hits by Danfo Drivers.
Reflecting on the moment she knew her film was a hit, Likké said, “Soon after the movie came out, African-American women were coming up to me saying, ‘Ooh, I need to find me a rich Nigerian doctor, they’re so fine!!’”
Likké also appreciated the invaluable contributions of renowned Nigerian filmmaker, TV producer and founder of Zuri24 Media, Femi Odugbemi, who was a Production Consultant on the film and the Second Unit Director for the Nigerian scenes. The team also included Nigerian Olympian and former world boxing champion Moses “Eagle” James of Delta State, who was the Associate Producer and key story consultant.
From the global rise of Afrobeats to the body-positive revolution, ‘Phat Girlz’ was way ahead of its time—and it’s still making waves. Today, the film remains a fan favourite, with a new generation of viewers discovering its powerful message and keeping the conversation active on all social media platforms.
Likké continues to shape important cultural narratives through cinema, most recently writing the Netflix Original ‘A Sunday Affair,’ which debuted at #1 on the platform and became Netflix’s most-watched Nigerian film in the first half of 2023.
In 2019, another movie Likké wrote, directed and produced titled, ‘Everything But A Man,’ also debuted at #1 on Netflix across Africa and remained a top-watched trending movie for four years.
Today, ‘Phat Girlz’ retains a strong cult following and continues to inspire women to embrace their bodies, honour their rich African Heritage, and love themselves fully and unconditionally. The film’s legacy remains as powerful and relevant today as it was in 2006.
