I remember watching the TV show, I Need To Know when I was a lot younger. There was just something about the character Bisi (played by a young Funke Akindele). Her insatiable curiosity mirrored my own, and I was drawn even more to the show because of how flawlessly she played that character.
When I Need To Know ended in 2002, she played some minor roles in Yoruba movies before getting her big break in acting came from her performance in the popular comedy drama, Jenifa in 2008. Jenifa was followed by an equally popular sequel, and then a spin-off series, Jenifa’s Diary.
The series was produced by Scene One, a production company she had set up, and grew increasingly popular because of the hilarious antics of the main character, Jenifa, and for how aptly it portrays the lives and challenges of young Nigerians.
Following her success with the Jenifa movies, Funke was able to successfully transition from acting mostly in Yoruba movies to ‘mainstream’ Nollywood movies. Since then, she has featured in major blockbuster films like Maami, A Trip To Jamaica, Moms At War, Isoken, Chief Daddy, and several others. She also made her directorial debut in 2019 with Your Excellency.
As the CEO of Scene One productions, Funke Akindele-Bello has helped to kickstart the careers of many young actors. She has won several awards for ‘Best Actress’, and recently won the NET Honours People’s Choice Award for ‘Most Popular Actress’.
Funke’s evolution from being the ‘queen of auditions and wakapass roles’ as she once described herself, to being one of the most influential names in Nollywood today is a testament to her hard work and resilience.
From her story, you can truly believe that nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself and work hard enough.
Writer: Ukpebor Efe
