Baywatch was not a massive hit as people thought it would be, but there were some positives that came from the movie. The character of Stephanie Holden was a revelation in the film and the actress playing the character was Ilfenesh Hadera. Quickly, from a relatively unknown celebrity to someone who captured the imagination of people, the world over. This was the career trajectory for Ilfenesh.
Born on 1 December 1985, Ilfenesh was born to an Ethiopian father and a European mother, which is why she is of mixed ethnicity. The actress was born in Harlem, and it was the place where she fell in love with theatre and acting. She got into LaGuardia High School of Music & Art which sent her to the King's College in London where she graduated with an MFA in Text and Performance studies.
Ilfenesh Hadera was cast in the role of 'Stephanie Holden' in the movie 'Baywatch.'
Source: YouTube
This all prepared her for the next stage of her career, transferring all she learned from school and college to portraying characters on screen. This was the dream of the actress from a pretty young age, to be in the show business, making movies and acting in Hollywood. It all culminated with the actress getting her first acting role in the film 1/20, and so began her career.
Ilfenesh Movies and TV Shows Including 'Godfather of Harlem' and 'Baywatch'
Ilfenesh Hadera was cast in the show 'Show Me A Hero' on HBO.
Source: Puzzups
Getting your debut performance is a hard thing, and once you've got an acting credit on your resume, then the jobs pour in with the actress playing a part in the Mike Tyson biographical TV movie Da Brick. She was also cast in the pilot episode of the immensely popular The Blacklist and the first major production of her career was in the film Oldboy, which was the actress's first collaboration with the great Spike Lee.
The first constant starring role she received was in the HBO miniseries Show Me a Hero where she played the real-life character of Carmen Febles. Then it was back to Spike Lee's acclaimed movie Chi-Raq where she played the character of Ms. McCloud. Few appearances in Chicago Fire, Conviction and a singular appearance in Difficult People later, she was cast in the first major role of her career.
Ilfenesh Hadera was cast in the show Deception.
Source: Jackets Creator
Ilfenesh played the character of Deb Kawi from 2016 to 2017 in a total of 20 episodes on Billions, and after a short stint in Master of None, the role of Stephanie Holden was given to the actress and to say she killed it, would be putting the whole thing pretty mildly.
The actress also appeared in a single episode of the hit Marvel show The Punisher, then she moved on to two acting jobs with Deception, and She's Gotta Have It, the former was canceled after 13 episodes, and in the latter, she was only a supporting character.
Watch: The trailer for the first season of Godfather of Harlem
Finally, her most recent credit is the appearance in the Epix channel show Godfather of Harlem. The series tells the semi-true story of Bumpy Johnson and the 1960s Harlem, the drug scene and the mob. Ilfenesh is playing the character of Mayme Johnson, the wife of Forest Whitaker character Bumpy Johnson. The show is already ordered for a full season and considering the way the first two episodes were received, be ready to see Ilfenesh on the show for a long time.
Who is Ilfenesh's Boyfriend? Are They Married?
Alex Soroken and Ilfenesh Hadera are in a relationship.
Source: Instagram
Since 2014, there's a man who keeps popping up on Ilfenesh's Instagram feed and his name is Alex Soroken. He is not related to show business, and he worked as a bartender in LA, but the two struck up a relationship, and since 2014 they are together, making fun and loving each other.
On 1 December 2015, her 30th birthday, Alex brought out a ring and asked her to be his forever and ever. Before celebrating the birthday party, the actress was celebrating her engagement with Alex, surrounded by friends. This was a happy moment for the two, with the actress' acting career taking off and finding the perfect man to spend the rest of her life with.
Ilfenesh Hadera and Alex Soroken got engaged a few years ago.
Source: Instagram @ilfenator
Ilfenesh is a busy girl, and she is zipping all over the country to film various roles which means they need to put extra effort when they are far away from each other. The almost five years of relationship is proof they are not letting the vast chasm of distance come in between their relationship.
Though the couple got engaged almost four years ago, it seems they are still not married. The lovebirds seem to be waiting for the right moment to get hitched and to be honest, there is no time better than now, so Alex, lock it down, and get married already.
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