Regina Askia-Williams

Regina Askia-Williams (born Imaobong Regina Askia Usoro, 1967) - also known as Regina Askia - is a Nigerian born, American-based nurse who found fame as an actress, model, television producer and educational activist.

In 1988, Askia-Williams - a former Medical student who had transferred from the University of Calabar to the University of Lagos - was crowned ''Miss Unilag. ''In 1989 she placed second in Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, but became titleholder the following year when winner Bianca Onoh resigned. In 1990, Askia-Williams represented Nigeria at Miss Charm International held in Leningrad, Russia, and came second. She also made history by becoming the first Nigerian at Miss International in Japan, where she  made an impact with the most outstanding traditional costume.

As a model, Askia-Williams has featured in several Nigerian print and television commercials including Kessingsheen Hair Care, boutique chain Collectibles, and most famously, Visine. She also worked on several runway shows, and most recently she has modelled for the 2000-N-Six face cleansing range alongside her daughter. In 2005 she hosted a fashion show at the Nigerian Embassy in New York City to raise awareness for the plight of children's social amenities in Nigeria, and in 2006, she hosted a charity fashion show at Lehman College in the Bronx, New York, which displayed the creations of top African designers and her own label Regine Fashions.

Askia-Williams's acting break was in 1993, when she played gold-digger Tokunbo Johnson in Nigerian soap Fortunes (later Mega Fortunes) on NTA Network, a role which earned her critical acclaim and roles in Nollywood movies. She has received several awards for her performances - including one for "Best Actress in Nigeria" by Afro Hollywood London in 2000 - and has produced several television shows and films.

Askia-Williams is married to American Rudolph 'Rudy' Williams, nephew of Ron Everette and grandson of Fess Williams; together the couple have two children - daughter Teesa Olympia and son Rudolph Junior. Askia-Williams's other daughter, model Stephanie Hornecker, is from a previous relationship. A graduate of the University of Lagos with a degree in Biology, and recently a Registered Nurse, Askia-Williams still works on promoting greater collaboration between Africa and its diaspora with her fashion shows as well as medical missions to Africa. She currently lives in America with her family, and is now a registered Nurse practicing in New York City.