Biography

Born in Kigali, Rwanda, from a Rwandese mother, Landrada, and a French father, Jacques, the family escaped to the neighbouring country of Burundi, the year before the civil war started (1990), preceding the Tutsi genocide in 1994.

Leaving the family business (a printing company), the family decided to move to France before the same ethnical war between Hutus and Tutsis happened in Burundi.

Sonia grew up in Burgundy...

October 1999: she was elected Miss Burgundy, opening the door of the Miss France beauty contest, the largest annual audience at the French TV. 11 December 1999: 8 million phone voters decided that she will be Miss France 2000. She became also 9th at Miss Universe beauty contest.

After many prime time shows, she became famous in France, but also in Africa, where many head of states are considering her as the best ambassadress for Africa. She was the first Miss France who came from Africa.

17 March 2001: she founded an association to help orphans in Africa, especially the street kids in Rwanda after the genocide.

21 April 2001: more than 10 years after the beginning of the events, the whole Rolland family, Landrada and Jacques, the parents, Sonia and Mikael, her brother, was welcomed in Kigali by a crowd seeing them as a symbol of the fragile but strengthening peace in Rwanda.

After a CD entirely in aid of Rwandese kids, a book about beauty tips for Black women "Beauté Black" éditions du Rocher, several appearances as a model and representative of French cosmetic brand Mixa from L'Oreal, she is now a confirmed actress since 2002.

She starred with Radu Mihaileanu in "Les pygmés de Carlo" for ARTE. And in 50 episodes of police TV series "Lea Parker" (broadcast every Sunday on one of the top 5 TV channels in France, and seen in Africa through TV5).

She is mother of 2 girls and lives with Actor/Director Jalil Lespert.
- IMDb mini biography by: Jean