Patti Boulaye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patti Boulaye
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Boulaye in 2019
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Patricia Ngozi Ebigwei |
| Born | 3 May 1954 Mid-Western Region, Nigeria |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actress |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Labels | President |
Patricia Ngozi Komlosy OBE (born 3 May 1954), known as Patti Boulaye, is a talented British-Nigerian singer, actress, and artist. She became famous after winning the TV show New Faces in 1978. Patti was one of the most well-known black British entertainers in the 1970s and 1980s.
In her home country, Nigeria, people remember her for starring in Lux commercials. She also starred in the movie Bisi, Daughter of the River and had her own TV series, The Patti Boulaye Show. Her stage name, Boulaye, is thought to be inspired by the actress Evelyn Laye.
Contents
Early Life and Big Dreams
Patti Boulaye was born in Mid-Western Nigeria. She grew up in a strict Catholic family with nine children. Her background includes both Efik and Igbo heritage. As a teenager, Patti survived the 1967–70 Biafran war. She believes her strong faith helped her through this difficult time.
When she was 16, Patti moved from Nigeria to the United Kingdom. She initially planned to become a nun. However, during a trip to London, she accidentally joined a queue for an audition. She thought it was for Madame Tussauds, but it was actually for the musical Hair. Patti won a part in the show, which started her amazing career in musicals. Her father, who didn't approve of show business, was upset at first but later forgave her.
Patti's Amazing Career
Stage Performances
After Hair, Patti appeared in The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Her first main role was as Yum Yum in The Black Mikado. She used her birth name, Patricia Ebigwei, for this role.
Patti also starred in other stage shows. These include the main role in Carmen Jones at London's Old Vic Theatre. She also performed in Jesus Christ Superstar. In 2003, Patti created her own musical called Sun Dance. It took her twelve years to develop this show. Sun Dance was a celebration of African culture, music, and dances. Patti wrote and produced the show herself. It opened at the Hackney Empire. She even performed an excerpt from Sun Dance at the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest. Patti was later awarded the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Television Appearances
In 1978, Patti appeared on the TV show New Faces. She was the only contestant to get perfect scores from the judges. She later won the All Winners Final Gala Show. Patti also acted in TV shows like The Fosters, Dempsey and Makepeace, and Brothers and Sisters.
In 1984, she had her own TV series, The Patti Boulaye Show, on Channel 4. A special Christmas episode with Cliff Richard was very popular. An album was also released with the show. Patti has appeared on TV over 200 times. This includes Royal Command Performances at the London Palladium. She was in 12 of BBC TV's "Joy to the World" Christmas shows. These shows featured stars like Sir Cliff Richard and Roger Moore. Patti also appeared on Pointless, Celebrity MasterChef, and Money For Nothing.
In 2016, Patti was part of the BBC series The Real Marigold Hotel. This show followed celebrities on a trip to India.
In 2018, Patti created and hosted her own TV chat show called "Life With Patti Boulaye". This show is streamed worldwide. Patti started the show because she was worried about the mental health of young people. Guests on the show share their challenges and how they overcame them.
Film Roles
Patti had a starring role in the African movie Bisi, Daughter of the River (1977). This movie was very successful in Nigeria. It played in cinemas for three years. She also starred in The Music Machine in 1979. This film was called the British Saturday Night Fever.
Music Career
After winning New Faces, Patti released her album You Stepped into My Life in 1978. Before this, she toured and released several songs with a British-American girl group.
Helping Others: Charity Work
Patti Boulaye is the founder and president of a charity called "Support for Africa Charity". This charity has built five clinics in rural Africa. It also built a school in Lesotho with HRH Prince Harry's charity, "Sentebale".
Other Interesting Work
In the 1980s, Patti's voice was featured on the Shape Up and Dance fitness albums. In Africa, she was the face of Lux soap for 29 years. Her show, The Patti Boulaye Show, was shown on several NTA stations. In 1999, she was invited to sing for Olusegun Obasanjo during his inauguration.
In 2002, Patti helped with the entertainment for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. She led 5000 gospel singers down The Mall. They sang songs including "Celebrate Good News", which Patti wrote for the event. Patti's autobiography, The Faith of a Child, was published in March 2017.
Standing Up for Herself
In 1999, Patti Boulaye took legal action against The Guardian newspaper. The paper had wrongly quoted her as saying something she didn't. Patti said a reporter misunderstood her. The Guardian later had to pay her money for the mistake.
Personal Life
Patti Boulaye is a devoted Roman Catholic. She is married to Stephen Komlosy. They have two children and two grandchildren. Thirty years after her brother's death in a plane crash, Patti returned to Africa with her British Charity to open an HIV Clinic.
Discography
- The Sun And I (1975), with the London cast of The Black Mikado
- Patti Boulaye (1976)
- You Stepped into My Life (1978)
- The Music Machine (1979)
- Magic (1981)
- Patti (1983)
- In His Kingdom (2004)
- Patti Boulaye's Sun Dance [album] (2004)
