Princess Erika
Biography
Princess Erika (born Erika Dobong'na; 5 April 1964, Paris) is a French singer and actress with Cameroonian origins. She is particularly known for her reggae songs "Trop de bla-bla" ou "Faut qu'j'travaille". In 1982, Erika formed with her sisters a band named Blackheart Daughters founded by her elder sister Princess Mataji Maa Tejomayee Devi (born Esther Dobong’Na Essiene) also known as Estha Divine, then joined the band Princess and the Royal Sound, with whom she made several tours, opening for Jamaican singer Dennis Brown. In 1988, she recorded "Trop de bla-bla" in London and achieved a minor success in France (#39 on the Top 50, but later, the song became famous for being used for a TV advert for MMA). She released the single "Tendresse" and her first album in 1992. She opened the concerts for Les Négresses Vertes. In 1995, she released her second studio album, D'origine, and the lead single, "Faut qu'j'travaille", hit No. 15 in France. Two years later, she recorded a duet with Marc Lavoine, "Les Hommes sont des Femmes comme les autres". She participated in Les Enfoirés and wrote several songs for various artists such as "Embrasse-moi" for the Nubians. In 2004, she also participated in the compilation Agir Réagir intended to raise funds to help the Moroccans who survived an earthquake on 24 February 2002. In 2005, she was a contestant on La Ferme Célébrités. She organized the four editions of the concerts Les Voix de l'espoir, performed with many other artists in a charity fundraiser. She covered the songs "La Vie en rose" and "J'ai encore rêvé d'elle" with Pierpoljak on the cover album Il est 5 heures Kingston s'éveille. She was an occasional actress in films and theatre, and appeared in Le Petit Trésor. Family: Father: Julien Édouard Dobong’Na Essiene (died in 2022); Mother: Marie-Claire Ngo Matip spouse Dobong’Na Essiene; Erika has two children: Julien (born in 1982) and Oudima (2003); Elder sister: Princess Mataji Maa Tejomayee Devi ( born Esther Dobong’Na Essiene) also known as Estha Divine; Younger sister: Eva Dobong’Na Essiene aka sister Hewan (died in 2011); Younger sister: Elga Dobong’Na Essiene. Source: Article "Princess Erika" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Known For & Full Filmography21 Titles
Drama Series - 1987, 16 episodes • as Self
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Drama Series - 1990, 16 episodes • as Self
A game show set and filmed on the real Fort Boyard in France. The contestants have to complete in physical and endurance challenges to win prize money.
Drama Series - 2006, 16 episodes • as Rosy, responsable de l'accueil
As the owner of Camping Paradis, Tom Delormes and his team must handle the summer rush and deal with any problems that may arise, all while doing their best to keep their guests happy. He also has to keep an eye on his younger sister, Elsa...
Drama Series - 1987, 16 episodes • as Self
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Drama Series - 1993, 16 episodes • as Self
Live performances, more live performances. Every episode features a lineup of French and international artists, cult classics, unexpected duets, and original covers... A truly prestigious music stage, graced by both the biggest names and those on their way to stardom.
Drama Series - 2001, 16 episodes • as Self
Star Academy is a French reality television show produced by the Dutch company Endemol. It consists of a contest of young singers. It spawned an equally successful show in Quebec called Star Académie. It is broadcast on TF1. At the end of each season, selected contestants would go on tour around France, Morocco, Switzerland, Belgium, Tunisia, and other French-speaking countries.
Drama Series - 2004, 16 episodes • as Princess Erika
La Ferme Célébrités is the French version of the international TV show The Farm, produced in France by Endemol and broadcast on TF1. A certain number of B-List celebrities appearing on it. The show was running in 2004 and 2005, then in 2010. It was hosted by Christophe Dechavanne and Patrice Carmouze in 2004 and 2005 . The farm was located in Visan, Vaucluse in the first seasons. For the season 3, the farm is located in South Africa, Benjamin Castaldi and Jean-Pierre Foucault are the new hosts.
Drama Series - 2006, 16 episodes • as Self - Guest
On n'est pas couché was a French talk show broadcast on France 2 on Saturdays at 11 p.m., hosted by Laurent Ruquier assisted by various columnists.
Movie - 2023, 2h 15m • as Woman Caring for Pregnant Woman
Longing for a brighter future, two Senegalese teenagers embark on a journey from West Africa to Italy. However, between their dreams and reality lies a labyrinth of checkpoints, the Sahara Desert, and the vast waters of the Mediterranean.
Drama Series - 2018, 16 episodes • as Aïcha Traore
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Drama Series - 2023, 16 episodes • as Maïssa Sissako
When the murder of a local hero rocks a small Alpine village, no-nonsense cop Awa Sissako is sent from the Parisian suburbs to investigate and is forced to face her own demons in the process.
Movie - 2014, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Movie - 1998, 2h 15m • as Juliette
Two friends organize a fake solidarity concert in order to seize the recipe. But their amateurism leads to many misunderstandings.
Movie - 2005, 2h 15m • as Kapinga
French couple Jean and Marie go on their honeymoon in Jean's hometown in Africa. They end up in the middle of a tense political situation as soon as they arrive and must spend the night in hiding. Jean begins to take on some of his father's old French colonialist attitude, which comes into drastic conflict with their current situation. As they struggle to stay alive, Marie rethinks her marriage to Jean.
Movie - 1997, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Movie - 1996, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Movie - 1990, 2h 15m • as Marilyn
Lulu is released from prison. Determined to fulfill her dream, find her kids, those of her best friend who remained locked up and go very far. The former inmate will do everything to carry out the "heist" that will get her the money.
Movie - 2021, 2h 15m • as Self
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Movie - 2006, 2h 15m • as Yta
Esther is a want-to-be author, trying to get her first novel published . She is about to get married to David, a young doctor. She feels quite unconfortable between her mom harassing her with the wedding preparation, her sister urging her to think twice before, her fiancé who falls for her best friend and a clairvoyant who tells her she will meet another man pretty soon. When she runs into Adam, a childhood friend, something clicks in her. She decides to reinvent her life. It is now time for her to make a real choice
Movie - 2024, 2h 15m • as Self (voice / archive footage)
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Movie - 2018, 2h 15m • as Wanda
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.