Sarian Martin: Biography, Career, and the Actress Building Her Own YouTube Empire

Sarian Martin Oruene, popularly known as Queen Sari, is a Nigerian actress, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and former beauty queen who has carved a distinct path in Nollywood by embracing digital distribution on her own terms. Born in Bayelsa State and trained in Fine Art at Niger Delta University, she officially began her acting career in 2019 and gained widespread recognition as Amaka in the Africa Magic drama Freda . In recent years, she has expanded into production, releasing multiple films directly to her YouTube channel, including Dorathy and Princess Alicia, positioning herself as both a creative and business force in the evolving Nollywood landscape .

Quick Facts About Sarian Martin

Who Is Sarian Martin?

Sarian Martin Oruene is a Nollywood actress and producer from Bayelsa State who has built a career defined by versatility and entrepreneurial independence. She first gained attention through pageantry while at university, winning a pageant in her first year, before transitioning to acting after completing her degree . Her breakthrough came with the role of Amaka in Freda, an Africa Magic original love drama, which brought her into the national spotlight . Since then, she has accumulated over 50 film credits and has moved into production, releasing original content directly to YouTube through her channel, Sarian Martin TV .

Early Life and Family Background

Sarian was born on January 12, 1997, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, and is of Ijaw heritage from the Nembe region . She is the youngest of seven siblings and was raised in a Christian home . Her mother, a businesswoman, played a significant role in shaping her approach to life and career, insisting that she complete her education and establish financial stability before pursuing acting. Sarian has recounted that she took over her mother’s business before fully committing to acting, a decision that allowed her to avoid the desperation that can lead young actors into poor choices .

Her father, who studied taekwondo in Bulgaria, insisted that all his children learn self-defense, which led to Sarian practicing martial arts from a young age. Her mother, however, encouraged modeling and pageantry as a balance, a suggestion that initially met resistance until the prospect of prizes like cars and money caught Sarian’s attention .

Education

Sarian studied Fine Art at Niger Delta University in Bayelsa State . She has also undergone professional acting training, which she pursued to refine the natural talent she had been developing since secondary school. Her interest in performance began in secondary school, where she participated in a production, and continued in her church before she moved to Lagos to pursue acting professionally after graduating.

How Sarian Martin Started Acting

Sarian’s acting journey began informally in secondary school and church productions, but she officially launched her professional career in 2019 after completing her university education and moving to Lagos . She has described acting as a “dream career” and a natural path she had envisioned since childhood, when she would reenact scenes from cartoons and perform in church drama groups .

Her entry into the industry was supported by her mother’s insistence on financial stability first, which meant Sarian was running a business before she began auditioning seriously. This foundation gave her the confidence to approach roles with a “learner’s mindset” rather than desperation .

The Breakthrough: How Sarian Martin Became Famous

Sarian’s breakthrough came when she landed the role of Amaka in Freda, an Africa Magic original love drama about a wealthy blogger who tries to control her relationship . The role brought her widespread recognition and opened doors to further productions. She has since appeared in films including Over And Over Again, A Toast To Forever, Call To Bar, and Merry Men 3 . She has described acting as a younger sister to Nadia Buhari and as a bartender to Ramsey Nouah—whom she grew up watching—as particularly memorable experiences .

Career and Rise in Nollywood

Sarian’s career has expanded significantly beyond acting. She is an entrepreneur with interests in a beauty salon and spa, interior design, sand supply, hospitality, and event hosting. In 2023, she received the Fame Icon Award in the Entrepreneur of the Year category, recognizing her contributions to business and entertainment .

In recent years, she has embraced YouTube as a distribution platform, releasing original films through Sarian Martin TV. In July 2026, she premiered Dorathy, a romantic comedy-drama about a young woman struggling to raise money for her mother’s surgery, in which she starred alongside Deza The Great . Later that same month, she released Princess Alicia, a royal drama exploring ambition and betrayal, featuring Ngozi Ezeonu . In August 2026, Perfect Mismatch, a romantic comedy co-starring Nosa Rex, debuted on her channel .

She has spoken about her approach to acting, citing her ability to memorize lines quickly and accurately as her greatest strength, and describing her personality as her distinguishing factor in the industry: “Only I can play the role in my way and kill it differently” .

Sarian Martin’s Most Notable Movies

Personal Life: Is Sarian Martin Married?

Publicly available information about Sarian Martin’s marital status is limited. She maintains a private personal life and has not publicly confirmed a marriage or relationship in the sources reviewed. In a 2025 interview, she stated, “I don’t have anything that’s not of general knowledge, I’m an open book, I’m just a private person that does community work” . She has described herself as a romantic at heart and spoken about her deep love for her family, particularly her mother, but has not disclosed details about a partner .

Parents and Family

Sarian is the youngest of seven siblings, though she has clarified that she is her mother’s only biological child, while her father had other children. She has emphasized the closeness of her family, noting that people often do not realize they are not all from the same mother because of how united they are . Her mother was a businesswoman who encouraged her to establish herself financially before pursuing acting, and her father was a martial artist who ensured his children learned self-defense .

Other Businesses and Projects

Beyond acting, Sarian is a multifaceted entrepreneur. She owns a beauty salon and spa, works in interior design, supplies sand, provides humanitarian services, works as an event MC and host, and has interests in hospitality. She has also dabbled in politics, which she has cited as one of the challenges of balancing multiple careers. Her production work through Sarian Martin TV represents a significant expansion of her professional footprint, allowing her to create and distribute content independently .

Awards and Recognition

• Fame Icon Award – Entrepreneur of the Year (2023): Recognized for her contributions to business and entertainment

Sarian Martin’s Career Timeline

• January 12, 1997: Born in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

• University years: Wins a pageant in her first year at Niger Delta University

• 2019: Officially begins professional acting career after graduating and moving to Lagos

• 2021: Breakthrough role as Amaka in Freda

• 2023: Receives Fame Icon Award in Entrepreneur of the Year category

• 2025: Speaks publicly about friend-zoning to avoid sexual harassment

• 2026: Releases Dorathy, Princess Alicia, and Perfect Mismatch on YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions About Sarian Martin

How old is Sarian Martin?

Sarian Martin was born on January 12, 1997, making her 29 years old as of 2026 .

Where is Sarian Martin from?

She was born in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, and is of Ijaw heritage from the Nembe region .

What is Sarian Martin known for?

She is best known for her role as Amaka in the Africa Magic drama Freda, as well as her recent YouTube-released films including Dorathy and Princess Alicia .

Is Sarian Martin married?

Publicly available information about her marital status is limited. She has not publicly confirmed a marriage or relationship.

Who are Sarian Martin’s parents?

Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. Martin Oruene. Her mother was a businesswoman who encouraged her to establish financial stability before acting, and her father was a martial artist.

What movies has Sarian Martin appeared in?

Her filmography includes Freda, Over And Over Again, A Toast To Forever, Call To Bar, Merry Men 3, Dorathy, Princess Alicia, and Perfect Mismatch, among over 50 credits .

How did Sarian Martin become famous?

She gained recognition through her breakthrough role in Freda, which led to further film opportunities and established her as a recognizable face in Nollywood .

What did Sarian Martin study?

She studied Fine Art at Niger Delta University .

ASJ Conclusion

Sarian Martin’s career reflects a model of independence that is becoming increasingly viable in Nollywood. She did not wait for traditional gatekeepers to determine her trajectory; she built a business foundation before acting, secured a breakthrough role, and then took control of her own content through YouTube distribution. Her expansion into producing films like Dorathy and Princess Alicia demonstrates an understanding that longevity in the industry requires ownership of one’s work. While much of her personal life remains private, her professional output is clear: she is an actress, entrepreneur, and filmmaker who has chosen to build her own table rather than wait for an invitation to one.

Source: Accra Street Journal

Last Updated on October 20, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.

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