Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has reflected on her early struggles in the film industry, recalling how perseverance turned her minor appearances into a breakthrough role that changed her life.
In a heartfelt video shared on Instagram on Saturday, Akindele reflected on her journey, which began in 1996 with countless auditions and small "waka pass" roles.
Despite repeated rejections, she remained resolute. Her turning point came in 1999 when she was cast as "Bisi" in the popular television drama "I Need to Know", a role that not only brought her national recognition but also earned her the first one million naira of her career.
"I started acting in 1996, doing waka pass roles and going from one audition to another. I kept hearing ‘no’ until I finally got a big ‘yes’ with I Need to Know. That was when I earned my first one million naira," she said.
Akindele recalled nearly losing the role after producers felt she was "overacting" during the pilot shoot. "I performed so well during the pilot and was waiting for a call that didn’t come. When they eventually called me in, they said I was overacting and asked me to go and study the character again," she explained.
According to the actress, it was her younger sister who helped her reimagine the role by demonstrating how a real teenager would sound.
"She told me I didn’t sound like a teenager. Then she read the script and acted it out for me. I picked it up from there, and that was how I truly became Bisi," Akindele added.
Reflecting on her first major earnings, the actress said she took the money to her mother, who advised her to pay her tithe before she headed to Yaba market to buy new clothes and shoes.
"I didn’t have good shoes or decent clothes. I paid my tithe and went to Yaba to buy new ones. The girl who once had nothing finally had something," she said.
Akindele, now one of Nollywood’s most successful filmmakers, credited "I Need to Know" for giving her visibility and laying the foundation for her rise to stardom.
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