From Rejection to Recognition: Funke Akindele Shares Emotional Journey to Stardom

After the release of Jenifa’s Diary Season One, landing roles in Nollywood became incredibly tough for me. Most of the offers I received were for Yoruba movies, but I had dreams of making a name in the broader Nollywood industry.
Then came a breakthrough—GLO offered me an ambassadorship deal. I traveled to South Africa alongside big names like Ini Edo, Rita Dominic, and other top celebrities of that time. As we sat down to negotiate, it was the first time I ever discussed millions. My legs trembled, and all I could say was, “Yes sir, yes ma, thank you, God bless you.”
But the real shock came when we landed in South Africa. Not a single soul recognized me. The crowd rushed to take pictures with Ini Edo and the others, but I was completely overlooked. It felt like I didn’t even exist. That moment hit me hard—I realized I was only known in Yoruba movies. I slipped into depression.
To make matters worse, my younger sister, who had come along, kept asking, “Sister, dem no know you?” And all I could say was, “Don’t worry, calm down.”
That day, I made a promise to myself: the next time I came here, the crowd would run to pull my shirt.
And true to that promise, on my next visit to South Africa, everything changed. As I walked into the room, the entire crowd gave me a standing ovation. I had finally become the star I always dreamed of being.

— Nollywood actress Funke Akindele shares her inspiring journey from being unrecognized to becoming a household name.