Afida Turner (born Hafidda Messaï; December 22, 1976) is a French media personality and singer. She has released two studio albums and several singles, singing both in French and in English. She has also appeared in small roles in multiple films and starred in the stage play Requiem for une conne (2022). She was married to musician Ronnie Turner from 2007 until his death in 2022.
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Biography
Afida Turner was born in Auchel, France. Her father was from Algeria and her mother from Réunion. When she was two years old, her father beat her mother to death. She lived with foster families until she was 16. She then worked as a saleswoman in ready-to-wear and was once employed by the Parisian bar-lounge Buddha Bar.
In the 1990s, she started a singing career, releasing her debut single "Crazy About You" in 1998. She came to the public and media attention in 2002 by appearing in the second season of the French reality TV show Loft Story under the name Lesly.
In 2002, Turner signed with Sony Music and released her debut studio album Roc Attitude under the name Lesly Mess in 2003.
Turner made appearances in three films, Shut Up and Shoot (2006), The Sweep (2008) and Single Black Female (2009).
In 2011, she released her second studio album Paris-Hollywood, which included the single "Come with Me". She subsequently appeared as a guest star and host on various French TV shows.
In 2013, she played a role in the film Visions Interdites.
In 2018, she played a role in the drama Lumière Noire by Enguerrand Jouvin.
In 2022, she played the lead in Requiem pour une conne by Baptiste Souriau at Théâtre Trévise, Paris starting in January and running successfully for six months.
In July 2022, she released a cover version of Guesch Patti's song "Étienne".
Personal life
She had a relationship with Coolio lasting two years and also with American boxer Mike Tyson. In 2007, she married musician Ronnie Turner, the son of Ike Turner and Tina Turner. She started to use the name Afida Turner. Ronnie Turner died aged 62 from colon cancer in Los Angeles on December 8, 2022. At the time Ronnie died, Afida also described herself as being his "nurse."
Politics
On May 31, 2020, Turner announced her candidacy for President of France in the 2022 election. She ran on a platform opposing police violence and in favor of the Yellow Vests Movement. If elected, she would have been the first female and first African President of the Republic. However, on January 11, 2021, she announced that she had withdrawn her candidacy.
Filmography
Films
2006: Shut Up and Shoot! as Fifi Belmondo
2008: The Sweep as Bank Manager
2009: Single Black Female as Blue
2013: Visions Interdites as The Singer
2018: Lumière noire as the gynaecologist
Television
2000: H: Woman in the Sabri pub
2002: Loft Story
2009 Criminal Minds: Herself (season 4, episode 25)
2014: Un dîner presque parfait M6
2015: Nrj 12 le mag
2017: Nrj 12 le mag
2020: Touche pas à mon poste
2022: Touche pas à mon poste
2022: Touche pas à mon poste
2022: Un dîner presque parfait : special guest
2023: Touche pas à mon poste People
Music videos
2003: Shut Up cameo (Black Eyed Peas)
Discography
Albums
2003: Roc Attitude
2011: Paris Hollywood
Singles
1998: Crazy About You
2002: Pas celle que tu crois / Tu mens
2002: Vilaine fille
2003: Repose au paradis / Je t'ai en moi
2011: Come with Me
2014: Born an Angel
2022: Etienne
2023: High Energy
2024: Barbichette Song
Theater
2022: Requiem pour une conne as Ina Star
2023: Abracafida !
Other endeavors
2002: Book biographie : My father killed my mom by Michel Lafon editions.
2016: Afida Turner (fragrance)
2016: MuchCouture by Afida Turner (clothing and swimsuit line)
2019: Afida Turner jewelry collections by Stephano Andolfi