Actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has commemorated the second anniversary of her mother’s passing, reflecting on the deep sense of loss that still lingers.
The family lost their beloved matriarch on February 7, 2023.
Expressing her grief, Akindele shared an emotional tribute, writing, “Mum, it’s been two years since you left us. It still feels like a dream, my darling mother. I miss you so much!! Keep resting in peace.”
Award-winning actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has opened up about her humble beginnings in the film industry.
In a heartfelt video on Snapchat, she revealed that she often borrowed clothes from colleague Sikiratu Sindodo to look presentable on movie sets.
Currently in Ghana with friends Eniola Badmus and Kamo, Funke reflected on the challenges she faced before achieving success.
She expressed gratitude for the support of her colleagues, particularly Sikiratu Sindodo and Iyabo Ojo, who played roles in her rise to fame.
Funke fondly recalled how Sindodo would help her choose outfits and how Iyabo Ojo would drive them around and advocate for her when needed.
She emphasised the importance of friendship and perseverance in overcoming adversity.
She said: “They didn’t give us any roles. One of those men, I just keep looking at him but I won’t mention his name.
“I remember back then when I used to borrow dresses from Tayo Sindodo. Sindodo would help me choose nice ones from her tops if I was going to a movie set.
“There was a day when Sindodo saw me carrying a bag after I wasn’t given a role, and she went to meet Uncle Abbey to fight for me.
“Iyabo Ojo was lucky and very nice to us. Iyabo would say, ‘Don’t worry,’ and she would drive us around in her small red car. We found solace in one another. That’s how we became friends. Iyabo used to stand up and fight for me.”
Actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has made a lighthearted plea to fans, urging them to help her film “Everybody Loves Jenifa” reach a new benchmark of N2billion.
The actress jokingly pointed out that she doesn’t get to keep the entire N1.8 billion the movie has earned so far, as cinemas, tax authorities and distributors also take a cut.
Akindele suggested that she might be willing to “settle” if the film’s earnings reach N2 billion.
To achieve this, she encouraged her fans to go see “Everybody Loves Jenifa” in cinemas, using the hashtag #eljthemovie.
Akindele wrote: “I beg no be only me get the 1.8billion o!!! Cinema go collect, tax go collect, distributor go collect!!!! Maybe when I get to 2Bnaira, I fit settle. So pls go see #eljthemovie in cinemas and take us to 2billion naira. Thank you”
Nollywood actresses, Funke Akindele and Wunmi Toriola, have emerged highest grossing lead actresses in 2024.
FilmOne, a movie distribution company, disclosed this through its instagram page, @filmoneng, on Monday.
While Akindele bagged the first highest grossing lead actress for her film “Everybody Loves Jenifa”, Wunmi Toriola came second for her film, ‘Queen Lateefah”
Toyin Abraham clinched the third highest grossing lead actress with her movie , “Alakada Bad and Boujee”.
Tomike Adeoye got the fourth position for the movie, “Ajosepo”, and Eniola Ajao made the fifth highest grossing lead actress for her film, “Beast of Two Worlds: Ajakaju”.
Kehinde Bankole emerged the sixth highest grossing lead actress for the movie, “Funmilayo Ransome Kuti”, while Adunni Ade clinched the seventh highest grossing lead actress for “Lakatabu”.
Uche Nwaefuna is the eighth for the movies, “Thinline”, “Silent Intruder” and “The Betrayed”.
Regina Daniel made the ninth highest grossing lead actress, while Gbugbemi Ejeye emerged the tenth for “Farmer’s Bride”.
Actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has reacted to a netizen who advised her against wearing a ring on her ‘wedding finger,’ stating that it might deter potential suitors.
The netizen, @OriretanHonour, expressed concern that wearing the ring despite being divorced might hinder her chances of finding a new partner.
He wrote: “Funke,it’s unwise still wearing ring on ur marriage-finger knowing you’ve divorced.More unwise forgetting you’re chasing away future husband by that.Little things count nw that u’re still famous,hot,rich.Mind ur public acts. Remove the ring now.U need a man n ur life asap.Act fast.Bé wise”
However, Akindele dismissed the concern, prioritising financial stability over romantic relationships.
“I need money! That’s the koko,” she replied.
Actress and award-winning filmmaker Funke Akindele has responded to a fan’s request to give her twins a new sibling.
The fan messaged Funke, suggesting that her twins needed a baby sister or brother.
Funke, known for her sense of humor, replied to the fan in a video posted on her Snapchat page.
She jokingly told the fan that she had registered her name and would find her address so that they could babysit the new baby.
“Don’t worry, I have registered your name; I will find your address. It’s you who will carry the baby and be babysitting her,” Funke said with a laugh.
This is not the first time Funke has responded to a fan’s personal question.
Recently, she replied to a fan who asked about her s3xual life, expressing shock at the fan’s boldness.
Actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has shared an inspiring message with her fans, urging them to focus on the positive aspects of life and spread love and joy.
In a recent Instagram post, Funke posted a video from the UK premiere of “Everybody Loves Jenifa” in December, where she was joined by co-stars Bisola Aiyeola, Layi Wasabi, and Omotunde Adebowale David.
Funke encouraged her followers to prioritize positivity and not allow worries to weigh them down.
She highlighted the importance of smiling, looking good, and feeling good, calling these the “best accessories of all.”
“Life is too short to let worries get us down! Let’s focus on the good, stay positive, and spread love and joy wherever we go! And remember, when we smile, we look good and feel good – and that’s the best accessory of all! So, go catch #EverybodyLovesJenifa in cinemas nationwide, and let’s keep the positivity going!”, she wrote.
Actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele’s latest film, “Everybody Loves Jenifa” has become the highest-grossing film of all time in West Africa with1.6 billion ticket sales in box office.
Funke took to Instagram to thank to fans and supporters, giving glory to God for the achievement.
She wrote: “Na God do am o!!!! I am so grateful to you all!!!! I no know Wetin I go write again!!!”.
Film One has released its 2024 rankings of the top-grossing Nollywood writers, with Funke Akindele securing the second spot.
Akindele, with Collins Okoh and Akinlabi Ishola, earned N1.125 billion for the film “Everybody Loves Jennifer.”
The top 10 highest-grossing Nollywood writers of 2024 are:
1. Stephen Oluboyo – N1.38 billion (“Everybody Loves Jennifer”, “Alakada Bad and Boujee”, “Aburo”)
2. Funke Akindele, Collins Okoh, Akinlabi Ishola – N1.125 billion (“Everybody Loves Jennifer”)
3. Anthony Joseph – N780 million (“Queen Lateefah”, “The Waiter”, “Alakada Bad and Boujee”)
4. Jack’ Enneth Opukeme – N299 million (“Farmer’s Bride”, “All’s Fair in Love”)
5. Stephen Okonkwo – N257 million (“Ajosepo”)
6. Adebayo Tijani, Ola Olaoye – N253 million (“Beast of Two Worlds: Ajakaju”)
7. Oluyombo Oluwagbemiga, Toyin Abraham – N229 million (“Alakada Bad and Boujee”)
8. Odunlade Adekola, Akorede Ibrahim – N202 million (“Lakatabu”)
9. Ayo Makun – N185 million (“The Waiter”)
10. Tunde Babalola – N157 million (“Funmilayo Ransom Kuti”)
For Mooreshola, her comedic materials stems from day-to-day happenings around her which she uses to create content.
Born Akinrogunde Omoshola Kikelomo but widely referred to as Mooreshola, the skitmaker is one of the rising stars in the space.
Speaking about her foray into skit making, the talented skit maker said she was inspired to go into the industry by Funke Akindele.
“I was inspired by Funke Akindele’s resilience and work ethics. She’s one celebrity I watched closely and noticed her knack for perfection. And of course her comical character, Jenifa. All these inspired me to give skit making a shot and thank God, it’s been one of the best decisions of my life.”
Explaining why she chose skit making as a career and what makes her stand out from others, she stated that she wants to use her skits to teach people lessons about life and not only to make them laugh. “It’s actually what I love doing though I started making skits for the fun of it but when I saw that people were actually liking my contents I decided to take it up as a career. Aside from this, I want to do things that can teach people lessons about life. I mostly do tragi-comedy. I create content that deals with life, especially tragedies which people can learn from,” she said.
Speaking about the impact social media has played on her career progression, Mooreshola confirmed that it has greatly helped in building her career and fan base.
“Social media has played a big role because that is what gives us the platform to churn out our materials. Social media platforms have actually made things easier. You post your skits, people get to watch and make comments, funny ones at that, and oftentimes, these skits go viral. It has helped in giving me fame and fans support.”