Interviews
Funke Akindele Inspires The Youths With The Story Of Her Life On CNN African Voices
May 26, 2017 – Funke Akindele Inspires The Youths With The Story Of Her Life On CNN African Voices
In the last edition of CNN’s ‘African Voices’, Nollywood actress Funke Akindele talks through her career and why she’s focusing on the next generation of actors.
One of Nollywood’s biggest stars, Funke has appeared in countless films and some of the biggest sitcoms in Nigeria. Despite starting acting as a young adult, ‘African Voices’ hears how she started out on a very different career path.
When Funke was a child, her parents had differing opinions when it came to her acting dreams, as she tells CNN:
“Growing up was fun for me having the support of my mum, she believed so much in my talent, though my dad never wanted me to be an actor – he wanted me to be a lawyer.”
‘African Voices’ hears how she compromised and agreed to study for a degree, eventually graduating in law. Following this, Funke began auditioning for roles and had her big break when she was cast in one of the biggest sitcoms in Lagos, called ‘I Need To Know’.
Funke describes the time:
“When I started ‘I Need To Know’, I never thought I would be this celebrated. I was 20 years old then. When I shot the pilot I just wanted to do it, I wanted to showcase my God-given talent… I remember the director telling me I was overacting because I was excited about it.”
Funke is best known for her portrayal of Jenifa, and she explains why the character has continued to appeal to audiences:
“Jenifa is witty, she’s crazy, she’s a go-getter, she doesn’t want to take no for an answer and I think I have that – I don’t want to take no for an answer.”
CNN hears that Funke’s success as Jenifa led her to establish her own production company, Scene One Productions, as well as bringing many accolades, with her series receiving four awards since 2015. Reflecting on this success Funke tells the programme:
“All I can say is I’m grateful, it’s not easy for you to work hard and people appreciate you.”
Now working on a new TV drama examining the music industry in Nigeria, called ‘Industreet’, Funke has also founded ‘Jenifa’s Foundation’. Explaining the programme’s work, she tells CNN:
“We reach out to young people, we empower them. We help them acquire skills, we help them discover their special gift, their talent in acting and music and dance.”
When asked what her advice would be for upcoming actors and performers in Nigeria, Akindele tells the programme:
“Stay focused. When you know what you want for yourself, when you are focused, you will get there.”
[PM Express]
deborah
May 26, 2017 at 7:04 AM
I really appreciate dis Woman called Funk by name….she is so amazing, making people like me to forget ma sorrow, she is very natural. I look up to her as my mentor, becuz she is De woman no matter wat so ever she is always there. I luv her
Bench
May 26, 2017 at 8:56 AM
So only to tell us about Jenifer is why you was enter CNN. Is Jenifer something to economic? It doesn’t posibul. Everybody was say growing up was fun but who are suffer again? Even pipuls wey was suffer are followment to say growing up was a fun. Is a thing of pretenders. Funke was suffer when she was small girls. But look at how she was tolding to us say is a fun to be growing up. Abeg make I hear word. All that gathers is not go.
mbok
May 26, 2017 at 9:27 PM
everyone has a story to tell,