Kehinde Bankole (born 27 March 1985) is a Nigerian actress,[1] model, and television host.[2] She made her entertainment debut in Miss Commonwealth Nigeria 2003, then proceeded with MBGN 2004. She was named Revelation of the Year at the 2009 Best of Nollywood Awards, two years after her first screen feature in Wale Adenuga's Super Story.
Bankole was born in Ogun State as the fourth child, out of six of architect Babatunde Bankole and Titilayo Bankole, an administrative secretary. She has a twin sister, Taiwo, who also acts occasionally. She completed her primary education at Tunwase Nursery and Primary School, Ikeja before studying Mass Communication at Olabisi Onabanjo University, but took a break to concentrate more on her modeling career in 2004.[3]
Bankole first entertainment experience was when she auditioned as a contestant in Miss Commonwealth Nigeria pageant in 2003, although she did not win, she claimed the exposure was all she really wanted as she made the top 10.[3] She also competed in Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria but could not make the top five list. After the contract of Genevieve Nnaji expired as a Lux ambassador, Kehinde Bankole was chosen along with Sylvia Udeogu and Olaide Olaogun to become the new face of Lux in 2007.[4]
Bankole made her acting debut during her reign as Lux ambassador in the family drama Super Story: Everything it Takes, playing the character Caro. She has also starred in other Wale Adenuga's productions like Papa Ajasco and This Life.[4][5] On television, her most notable role is as housewife Kiki Obi in Desperate Housewives Africa, the Nigerian remake of the American hit series. She also featured in the movie Prophetess also starring Toyin Abraham
She hosts daytime talkshows including "Soul Sisters" and "African Kitchen".[3]