Vivian “Dentaa” Boateng is the host of OBE TV’s hit multi-segmented entertainment programme, “The Dentaa Show”. She was born in Juasu in Ghana but moved with her family to the UK at the age of 5. She soon developed interests in singing, acting and dancing. Her charisma and confidence during school plays and talent shows developed her passion and charted the path to her current career. Dentaa obtained her GCSE qualifications at the Walthamstow School for Girls and her A Levels in Media Studies, Sociology and Performing Arts at the Leyton Sixth form College. She also has a degree in paediatric nursing from the Buckinghamshire University. In 2005 she has achieved relative stardom by touring around the globe promoting her released solo Gospel album.

The Dentaa Show debuted on UK’s Sky Channel 155 in the fall of 2006. In its freshman year, the show scored the highest ratings in first-run syndication in the coveted 18 – 40 years demographic; capturing the biggest audience in talk and out-delivering established talk shows. Dentaa has already met and interviewed many African personalities however; we had our own interview with this beautiful Ghanaian rising star.

Jamati: What is the Dentaa Show all about?

The Dentaa Show is a 3 segment, 30 minute family entertainment programme which takes the viewer on a journey to Africa and its citizenry. The show plunges the viewers into the African entertainment scene through interviews with top celebrities and special coverage of entertainment events. The concept was born to strengthen and enhance African culture or image; and to provide quality entertainment for Africans abroad. We believe that an increase in awareness leads to an increase in knowledge and therefore we are using our media influence to contribute to the development of the continent. The first segment focuses on sizzling educational interviews with top celebrities. My unique and relaxed style of interviewing has yielded astonishing results over the period. The second segment is a special coverage of concerts and other entertainment events; and the third is a video chart show which is devoted to new and fresh music videos.

Jamati: Who are your target audience?

The Dentaa show strives to create mass appeal entertainment for all ages. Our target audience are people looking to visit Africa; African citizens who have not been fully exposed to the continent; and Diasporas in general

Jamati: How long have you been in media work?

I have 10 years of experience in hosting, presenting, fashion and acting, playing numerous roles in films and serials on BBC, ITV and Channel 4. I have also taken a few courses in Media Studies and Performing Arts, Scene study; Advanced Commercial Acting, Basic techniques in Hosting and Production as well as Fine line Production Techniques.

Jamati: Is your family in support of your career choice?

At first they were very much against it, especially my Dad. It was the same old stories of you have to become a doctor, an Accountant, or a lawyer. Sometimes my parents would invite other family members to advise me to concentrate on studies and forget about the media because there is no future in that industry. But on the flipside I am very grateful to my parents for those advices because my nursing degree has been worthwhile in the long run. My beginning in media was not been bread and butter, and I had to pay my bills. Nursing was my support when I was not getting my daily bread from the media. My parents are now very supportive and very proud when they see me on TV. They are my number 1 fans and they never miss the show. They are more like the producers and directors of what I do now, the first people to correct me when I do something wrong on the show.

Jamati: What do you like most about the show?

The intricate procedure of the whole production itself, meeting the stars and finding out their opinions on the different topics.

Jamati: What have been the highlights of your career so far?

Meeting our famous African artists, but meeting Ghanaian TV personality, Maame Dokono has been the biggest for me. She inspires me as a woman. I’ve met most of the people that I want to meet but there is one more person I’d like to meet. That is Ghanaian ace comedian, Super O.D. I just think he is fab! I would really like to interview him.

Jamati: You released a gospel album, “Wu ye Nyame”. Was that just an experiment?

My album touched souls and blessed many lives, leaving my fans requesting for more. But I have always stated that the album was a one-off thanksgiving testimony to thank the Lord for saving me from a dead-end situation.

Jamati: What do you do to relax?

I like acting, swimming, going out for meals with friends, cinema and gym.

Jamati: What do you hope to achieve in the future?

I want to open an orphanage. It has always been my heart’s desire.