Mariatu Kargbo, Sierra Leonean Entertainer in China.

Sierra Leonean born Mariatu Kargbo, the Lead Performing Artist in the 2018 Beijing Summit for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), wowed guests during the recent event. 

Mariatu Kargbo performed to world leaders, ministers, chairman of the African Union (AU), the United Nations Secretary-General and 27 international and African groups who served as observers.

Sierra Leonean born Mariatu Kargbo, known to her millions of Chinese fans as the “Black Pearl of China” is a musician, philanthropist, model, former Miss World finalist, Sierra Leonean Cultural Ambassador and a Guinness World Record holder, and left the audience spellbound as the lead performing artist out of eight chosen by the Chinese Government event management team.

African and Chinese Entertainers in Beijing.

Mariatu initially arrived in China in 2004 to take part in the Miss Kite Beauty Pageant held in Shandong. 100 countries participated in the event, and she was among the first three to go on stage. Now, she’s the first black woman to stage a huge, successful concert in China, and perhaps the first African to have learned the art of Chinese face mask changing - a traditional Chinese performance art.

Due to her many talents, Maria received an accolade from dignitaries and heads of state in Africa for her outstanding performance and in making Africa a proud mother of a black Chinese woman.

Mariatu Kargbo with Chinese Entertainers.

During the opening ceremony of the Miss World Pageant in South African 2009, Maria was invited to perform on stage; her performance left the British Royal Family with no option but to invite her to perform for the Queen in England.

She was again invited to perform at the United Nations General Assembly of Head of State, and also met with Jackie Chan and Michael Bolton at the Chinese Grammy Awards.

Today Mariatu Kargbo has a strong presence on the Chinese entertainment scene by using both her understanding of Asian culture and her African identity to create a uniquely appealing personality.