Cindy Sanyu

Cinderella Sanyu (professionally known as Cindy or Cindy Sanyu) is a Ugandan musician. She was one of the original members of Blu*3, along with Lilian Mbabazi and Jackie Chandiru. She has performed with P-Square, Wahu, Beenie Man, Ne-Yo, Tiwa savage, Bobi Wine, Shaggy, Chameleon, Bebe Cool, Davido, Mr. G and Radio & Weasel.

Early life and education
Cindy was born in Kampala, Uganda, but hails from Mbale district.

Music
Cindy started singing when she was 6 in her local church at a small town called Ntinda. She took part in "Capital Radio All Stars talent search" when she was 16 years old. She took third place. She worked with producer Steve Jean who made sure she participated in the "Coca-Cola Pop Stars" contest, which led to the formation of Blu*3 in 2003. With Blu*3, Cindy found music success winning the Best Artist/Group from Uganda & Best Music Video from Uganda in the 2005 Kisima Music Awards, Video of the Year ("Hitaji") in the 2005 Pearl of Africa Music Awards and Video of the Year ("Burrn") in the 2007 Pearl of Africa Music Awards and being nominated for best East African Group in the 2005 Kora Awards, Best East African Album (Hitaji) in the 2005 Tanzania Music Awards Best East African Video ("Frisky") in the 2006 Channel O Music Video Awards, Best Group & Best Performer in the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards and Best East African Song ('Where you are' with Radio & Weasel) in the 2010 Tanzania music awards.

Cindy was dropped from the group. In 2008, she embarked on a solo career. Her debu solo album Ayokyayokya (2009) topped charts all over East Africa with hits like "Mbikooye" and "Nawewe", "Ayokyayokya", and "One and Only". She has had more successful songs, like "Selekta".

Acting
Cindy got her debut film acting role as the lead in the Ugandan musical drama film Bella. Her performance earned her nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards for Best Young Actor, Africa Lead Role In Film (Non Nigerian) at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Best Actress at Uganda Film Festival Awards, all in 2018.

She later worked on the film November Tear, released in 2019.

Personal life
Cinderella Sanyu was in a relationship with Mario Brunetti and the relationship produced a daughter, Amani. She got engaged to actor, producer and film director Joel Okuyo Prynce in March 2020 in Kampala. She married Joel Okuyo Prynce on 11 December 2021. She had a child with him.

Leadership roles
Cindy is currently the Acting President of the Uganda Musicians' Association (UMA) after the resignation Ykee Benda as his deputy, Cindy stepped forward and filled the president’s shoes.

Controversy
Cinderella Sanyu was involved in a relationship with Ken Muyisa.

On leaving Blu*3, her fellow band members Jackie Chandiru and Lillian Mbabazi claimed that "she was not candid" about her reasons for leaving. It was not long until Cindy embarked on a solo career with her hit single "Mbikooye" and wrote more hits like "Ayokyayokya", "Amateeka", "Party", "Selecta", "Ndi mukodo", and "Run this city".

Songs

 * Mbikooye
 * Amateeka
 * One and only
 * Party
 * Total satisfaction
 * Nawewe
 * Selekta
 * Tempo remix
 * Ndi mukodo
 * Samodat
 * Dat dat
 * Run this city
 * One by one ft Skales
 * Dancehall ft Eddy Kenzo
 * Onnina
 * Faded
 * Copicat
 * Boom party

Albums

 * The King Herself, 2019
 * Ayokyayokya, 2009

Awards and recognition

 * Female artiste of the year in the DIVA awards, 2009
 * Teenies' dancehall artiste in Buzz teenies awards, 2010
 * Best female artiste of the year in Buzz teenies awards, 2010
 * Afrima awards best female artiste (East Africa) 2016
 * Bingwa awards best artiste from Uganda 2016