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In January, the sole African-American cast member on the Bravo reality series traveled to Nigeria to meet her dad, Nze Augustine Onyema, during an eight-day excursion with her husband, Jason, and two children.
BlackVoices.com spoke with the 42-year-old real estate mogul - who was adopted as a child - and she described the experience as "'Coming to America' on steroids."
"It was the most incredible experience ever," she expressed. "Going to meet my father's village and meet the family, it was a national story of a girl's homecoming to reconnect with her family. They had two days of village homecoming with gun salutes, parades and everything. It was in all the Nigerian newspapers."
Turner said nearly 600 people turned up for the village celebration, and though she
was shocked to see the outpouring of love, she was more surprised to learn that she would become a village princess."In every village there is a family that's considered a royal family. In Mbaitoli, Onyema is the traditional ruling family. My father is a chief, a title holder, the nze of that area, and he's named me a princess," she explained.
Turner's new name is Princess Chimereuchem, which means "God has granted my wish" in the native language.
The locals performed a traditional chant for Turner during one of the ceremonies.
"It's the one they do when a new baby is born," she enlightened. "The overall level of welcoming and hospitality and warmth is on a whole other level than they have here!"
Turner has nine other siblings, one of which is a younger sister who lives here in the United States as well.
"My siblings range in ages from 10 to 39 years old," she shared. "I'm the oldest child - the 'ada' of the family. There are all these responsibilities that come with being the oldest."
If the 'Real Housewives of DC' is renewed for a second season - according to Bravo network executive Andy Cohen they are exploring particulars now - some of the footage could be licensed for the sophomore season of the show as well.
To learn more about Turner's voyage to Nigeria, go to stacieturner.com for additional photos and personal journal entries.
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Comments: (12)
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By: Lisa on 3/15/2011 5:45PM
Congrats Stacie on finding your true roots.
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By: Justifyed on 3/16/2011 11:11AM
Congrats to her indeed. If I actually watched reality tv, she would be a reason to watch RHODC, but just not a reality TV person. I actually heard about this on JTMS.
But I am happy for her.
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By: ooiobaae on 3/23/2011 11:36AM
I didnt know she was adopted.
Good that she found her roots.
I'm Nigerian, Im Yoruba while Stacie is Igbo. I think she is hyping herself being royalty. My father is a chief and it dont mean ish. There are alot of chiefs.
What really matters is if she will make a change. Will she bring a well to ? Help girl go to school?
Also what brougth ehr Dad to the US that he had 2 wives & 10 kids? Did he come for college? Where? What did he study?
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By: Otmos on 3/15/2011 7:14PM
Great! She found out who she really is!
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By: craig cobb on 3/15/2011 9:18PM
Too bad the words "royalty" and "Nigerian" together make an oxymoron.
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By: craig cobb on 3/15/2011 9:20PM
I guess the last photo above is one of the "royal family"?!
Good grief.
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By: Dee Dee Da Da on 3/16/2011 7:50AM
@ Craig You are so right! Good Grief! Not the nicest picture.
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By: Mrs. Mercedes Benz on 3/16/2011 1:59PM
Why judge wealth by an individuals attire? My grandfather was the most humblest west indian/jewish man you could ever meet. He led a middle-class lifestyle. People never knew he was a multi-millionaire. He was one of the top realtors in the state of Florida and New York. His generosity was astounding, though he was taken advantage of by many people, including his own family. Don't judge a book by it's cover. Some people don't wear, ride, or flaunt, their wealth for the world to see. R.I.P Grandpa.
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By: karel on 3/15/2011 10:55PM
I'm so happy 4 her. Her story was really sad on the show, glad it has a happy ending. And happy they'll be a 2nd season.
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By: Mission on 3/16/2011 5:04PM
Sitting wondering what the hell does Craig look like? good grief... Royalty by their standards not yours.
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